This Day in History: 09/08/1974 - Ford Pardons Nixon - HISTORY

This This Day in History video recounts the hurricane that hit the Jewel of Texas, Galveston, on 9/08/1900. There were 130 mph winds and 15 foot ocean surge.

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President Richard Nixon resigns, Henry David Thoreau published Walden Pond, Jesse Owens wins his 4th gold medal in the Summer Olympics, and the first Hispanic is named as Secretary of Education in This Day in History video. The date is August 9th. Adolph Hitler opened up this Berlin Summer Olympic.

On this day in 1974, on an evening televised address, President Richard M. Nixon announces his intention to become the first president in American history to resign. With impeachment proceedings underway against him for his involvement in the Watergate affair, Nixon was finally bowing to pressure from the public and Congress to leave the White House. "By taking this action," he said in a solemn address from the Oval Office, "I hope that I will have hastened the start of the process of healing which is so desperately needed in America."On this day in 1974, on an evening televised address, President Richard M. Nixon announces his intention to become the first president in American history to resign. With impeachment proceedings underway against him for his involvement in the Watergate affair, Nixon was finally bowing to pressure from the public and Congress to leave the White House. "By taking this action," he said in a solemn address from the Oval Office, "I hope that I will have hastened the start of the process of healing which is so desperately needed in America."On this day in 1974, on an evening televised address, President Richard M. Nixon announces his intention to become the first president in American history to resign. With impeachment proceedings underway against him for his involvement in the Watergate affair, Nixon was finally bowing to pressure from the public and Congress to leave the White House. "By taking this action," he said in a solemn address from the Oval Office, "I hope that I will have hastened the start of the process of healing which is so desperately needed in America."

In a This Day in History video, learn that on July 27, 1949, the world's first commercial jet liner took to the skies over England. The Comet ran a spectacular test run and was a far cry from what travelers were used to. The commercial jet flew fast and high while breaking all molds. Unfortunately, a structural defect caused two comets to break up in midair. Other manufacturers improved on the Comet's technology and jet-powered travel took off.

Hank Aaron make homerun history when he broke Babe Ruth's record of 714 homeruns on April 8th in Atlanta. This historical event along with others is recapped by Russell Mitchell in this video clip from This Day In History. Other events included the founding of Cape town South Africa by traders of the Dutch East Indian Company, and the funeral services of Pope John Paul II. Also occurring on April 8, was the announcement by Arthur Ashe that he had contracted AIDS from a blood transfusion.

Patty Hearst was kidnapped by the SLA, George Washington was elected the first president, and Manuel Noriega was convicted of drug trafficking charges in This Day in History video. The date is February 4th. The SLA stands for Symbionese Liberation Army and they were urban guerrillas.

This This Day in History video recounts the story of George Smith, a London taxi driver who was booked for the first DUI 25 years ago. See what his punishment was. The day is 9/10.