TODAY IN HISTORY

August 8, 1974

President Richard Nixon, facing damaging new revelations in the Watergate scandal, announced he would resign the following day. ALSO ON THIS DATE

1815

Napoleon Bonaparte set sail for St. Helena to spend the remainder of his days in exile.

1911

President William Howard Taft signed a measure raising the number of U.S. representatives from 391 to 433, effective with the next Congress, with a proviso to add two more when New Mexico and Arizona became states.

1942

During World War II, six Nazi saboteurs who were captured after landing in the U.S. were executed in Washington, D.C.; two others who cooperated with authorities were spared.

1945

President Harry S. Truman signed the U.S. instrument of ratification for the United Nations Charter. The Soviet Union declared war against Japan during World War II.

1953

The United States and South Korea initialed a security pact.

1963

Britain’s “Great Train Robbery” took place as thieves made off with 2.6 million pounds in banknotes.

1968

The Republican national convention in Miami nominated Richard Nixon for president on the first ballot.