The 50th anniversary of Watergate

When five burglars were arrested in the Democratic National Committee HQ at the Watergate complex on June 17, 1972, it led to one of the worst political scandals of the 20th century.

The men were connected to President Richard Nixon’s re-election campaign, and were caught wiretapping phones and stealing documents.

As rookie Washington Post reporters bob Woodward and Carl bernstein began uncovering a link to the White House, Nixon desperately tried to cover it up. He was eventually brought down by the revelation of Oval Office tape recordings of meetings with his closest aides.

Facing impeachment in 1973, he resigned - the only US president ever to do so. To mark the 50th anniversary of the break-in, the National Portrait Gallery in Washington DC is hosting an exhibition titled, “Watergate: Portraiture And

Intrigue”. It comprises 25 objects featuring prominent people involved in a crime that is still a source of intrigue.

Now those fascinated by the story can stay in the ‘Scandal Suite’ of The Watergate Hotel, the headquarters for the break-in team.

Originally room 214, it features items from the period including binoculars, a manual typewriter and a reel-to-reel tape recorder.

While in the US capital, visitors can eat at Martin’s Tavern and sit in the presidential booth where Nixon dined on meatloaf, usually with colleagues.

After signing his resignation on August 9, 1974, President Nixon gave a farewell speech to his staff, then departed via helicopter from the White House South Lawn. He was never prosecuted.

Although the White House is not open to tourists, the best vantage point of the South Lawn is from E Street Northwest.

Meanwhile, The White House Visitor Center gives an insight into the President’s home and features more than 100 different artefacts and exhibits.

washington.org