On April 29, 1974, President Richard Nixon released edited transcripts of taped White House conversations related to the Watergate scandal. The disclosure was meant to ease public and congressional pressure. Instead, the transcripts confirmed that Nixon had participated in attempts to manage and cover up the political break-in at Democratic Party offices. Many readers were struck by the language and tone used in the recordings. The release weakened Nixon’s political support and strengthened calls for impeachment. Within months, he resigned, becoming the only U.S. president to step down from office.
