1974, President Nixon is implicated in the break in and the bugging of his political rivals headquarters.

He's accused of covering up the crime.

Congress starts an impeachment process

which transmits live on television.

Holders of the highest offices in the land are subjected to a grilling watched by millions.

The Nixon administration hits the TV age and losses,

There had been scandals previously in American history,

but none that unfolded on television,

with the immediacy of the Watergate Scandal.

What was revealed by the Watergate Scandal was a level of internal corruption,

a level of deception and a real violation of American democracy

that even critics of the American government up to that point simply hadn't imagined.

It was the last nail in the coffin you might say of,

for many, many people of Americans confidence in their own society.

I shall resign the presidency effective at noon tomorrow.

The only president ever to resign the office.

His speech watched live by 85% of all American households.

Freedom of the press and TV showing their true power.

I mean, the power of Watergate is saying

you need a free press.

Because there are some things that you will not learn

if you do not have a free press.

While television proves the downfall of one President,

throws America into crisis,

another will learn to use this new technology

to rebuild American confidence and usher in a new era.