Nixon Resigns, Ford Becomes 38th U.S. President

On August 9, 1974, Richard M. Nixon became the first U.S. president to resign amid the Watergate scandal, with Gerald R. Ford sworn in as the 38th president immediately thereafter. Ford declared that "our long national nightmare is over" and was credited with stabilizing the country and its economy, later pardoning Nixon a month into his presidency. The Watergate investigations had exposed Nixon's involvement in attempts to obstruct justice, leading to widespread public support for impeachment and eventual resignation. Public opinion at the time was divided, with some citizens believing the nation was better off post-resignation, while others supported Nixon's continuation in office despite the controversy. Military institutions began updating symbols of command to reflect the new administration, such as replacing Nixon's portraits with Ford's. The resignation marked a pivotal moment in American history, ending a period of governmental turmoil and restoring a degree of public trust in leadership.