Childhood and Education Journey of Richard Nixon in Timeline

How education and upbringing influenced the life of Richard Nixon. A timeline of key moments.

Richard Nixon, the 37th U.S. President, served from 1969 until his 1974 resignation. A Republican, he previously served as a Congressman, Senator, and Vice President. His presidency is noted for ending US involvement in Vietnam, initiating détente with the Soviet Union and China, overseeing the Apollo 11 Moon landing, and creating the EPA and OSHA. He resigned amidst the Watergate scandal, becoming the only U.S. president to do so.

Sections (7)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals Legacy & Impact

January 9, 1913: Richard Nixon's Birth

On January 9, 1913, Richard Milhous Nixon was born. He would later become the 37th president of the United States.

Others born on this day/year

1922: Nixon Family Ranch Fails

In 1922, the Nixon family ranch failed, leading the family to move to Whittier, California.

1925: Death of Nixon's Younger Brother

In 1925, Richard Nixon's younger brother, Arthur, died at the age of seven after a short illness.

September 1928: Nixon Transfers to Whittier High School

In September 1928, Richard Nixon's parents allowed him to transfer to Whittier High School.

September 1930: Nixon Enrolls at Whittier College

In September 1930, Richard Nixon enrolled at Whittier College.

1933: Death of Nixon's Brother Harold

In 1933, Nixon's brother Harold died, requiring Nixon to remain in his hometown instead of attending Harvard University.

1934: Nixon Graduates from Whittier College

In 1934, Richard Nixon graduated from Whittier College with a Bachelor of Arts degree.

1935: Nixon Breaks Up with Ola Florence Welch

In 1935, Richard Nixon broke up with Ola Florence Welch, the daughter of the Whittier police chief, after being engaged.

June 1937: Nixon Graduates from Duke University School of Law

In June 1937, Richard Nixon graduated third in his class from Duke University School of Law.

1937: Nixon Graduates from Duke University School of Law

In 1937, Richard Nixon graduated from Duke University School of Law with a Juris Doctor degree.

1937: Nixon Admitted to California Bar and Starts Practicing Law

In 1937, Richard Nixon was admitted to the California bar and began practicing law in Whittier with the firm Wingert and Bewley.

January 1938: Nixon Meets Pat Ryan

In January 1938, Richard Nixon met his future wife, Thelma "Pat" Ryan, while cast in the Whittier Community Players production of "The Dark Tower".

1938: Nixon Opens Branch of Law Firm in La Habra

In 1938, Richard Nixon opened his own branch of Wingert and Bewley in La Habra, California.

June 21, 1940: Nixon Marries Pat Ryan

On June 21, 1940, Richard Nixon married Thelma "Pat" Ryan in a small ceremony.

1941: Nixon Seeks Position at the Office of Price Administration

Throughout the latter part of 1941, Richard Nixon sought a position at the Office of Price Administration.

January 1942: Nixon Moves to Northern Virginia

In January 1942, Richard Nixon and his wife moved to the Northern Virginia suburbs, where Nixon took a job at the Office of Price Administration in Washington, D.C.

June 15, 1942: Nixon Appointed Lieutenant Junior Grade in the Navy

On June 15, 1942, Richard Nixon was appointed a lieutenant junior grade in the United States Naval Reserve.

October 1942: Nixon Assigned to Naval Air Station Ottumwa

In October 1942, Richard Nixon was assigned as aide to the commander of the Naval Air Station Ottumwa in Wapello County, Iowa.

1942: Nixon Moves to Washington, D.C.

In 1942, Richard Nixon moved with his wife Pat to Washington, D.C., to work for the federal government.

May 1943: Nixon Leaves Naval Air Station Ottumwa

In May 1943, Richard Nixon's assignment at the Naval Air Station Ottumwa came to an end.

July 2, 1943: Nixon Assigned to Marine Aircraft Group 25

On July 2, 1943, Richard Nixon was assigned to Marine Aircraft Group 25 and the South Pacific Combat Air Transport Command (SCAT).

October 1, 1943: Nixon Promoted to Lieutenant

On October 1, 1943, Richard Nixon was promoted to lieutenant in the Navy.

January 1945: Nixon Transferred to Bureau of Aeronautics Office

In January 1945, Richard Nixon was transferred to the Bureau of Aeronautics office in Philadelphia.

October 3, 1945: Nixon Promoted to Lieutenant Commander

On October 3, 1945, Richard Nixon was promoted to lieutenant commander in the Navy.

March 10, 1946: Nixon Relieved of Active Duty

On March 10, 1946, Richard Nixon was relieved of active duty in the Navy.

1946: Birth of Tricia Nixon

In 1946, Richard Nixon and Pat Nixon's first daughter, Tricia, was born.

1946: Nixon Elected to the House of Representatives

In 1946, Richard Nixon was elected to the House of Representatives.

1946: Nixon returns to Whittier and begins campaigning

In 1946, after leaving the Navy, Nixon and his wife returned to Whittier. He began a year of intensive campaigning, successfully winning the election against Jerry Voorhis.

1948: Birth of Julie Nixon

In 1948, Richard Nixon and Pat Nixon's second daughter, Julie, was born.

1950: Nixon Elected to the Senate

In 1950, Richard Nixon was elected to the Senate.

1952: Nixon Runs as Eisenhower's Running Mate

In 1952, Richard Nixon was the running mate of Dwight D. Eisenhower, the Republican Party's presidential nominee.

June 1, 1953: Nixon Promoted to Commander in U.S. Naval Reserve

On June 1, 1953, Richard Nixon was promoted to commander in the U.S. Naval Reserve.

1953: Nixon Becomes Vice President

In 1953, Richard Nixon became the 36th Vice President of the United States under President Dwight D. Eisenhower.

1956: Nixon Runs as Eisenhower's Running Mate Again

In 1956, Richard Nixon was once again the running mate of Dwight D. Eisenhower in the presidential election.

April 27, 1958: Nixon embarks on goodwill tour of South America

On April 27, 1958, Richard and Pat Nixon began a goodwill tour of South America. In Caracas, Venezuela, Nixon and his wife were spat on by anti-American demonstrators and their limousine was attacked. Nixon claimed the protestors were controlled by a communist conspiracy.

1960: Advocacy for civil rights

In 1960, Nixon advocated for civil rights during his campaign.

1960: Nixon Loses Presidential Election to Kennedy

In 1960, Richard Nixon narrowly lost the presidential election to John F. Kennedy.

January 1961: End of term as Vice President

In January 1961, at the end of his term as vice president, Richard Nixon and his family returned to California where he practiced law and wrote the bestselling book, "Six Crises".

1961: End of Nixon's Vice Presidency

In 1961, Richard Nixon's term as Vice President under President Dwight D. Eisenhower came to an end.

November 11, 1962: The Political Obituary of Richard M. Nixon

On November 11, 1962, the ABC News show, "Howard K. Smith: News and Comment", aired an episode titled "The Political Obituary of Richard M. Nixon", which highlighted Nixon's California defeat. Alger Hiss appeared on the program, leading to public outcry and the show's eventual cancellation.

1962: Nixon Loses California Gubernatorial Race

In 1962, Richard Nixon lost the race for governor of California and announced his retirement from politics.

November 22, 1963: Nixon in Dallas

On the morning of November 22, 1963, Richard Nixon was in Dallas, Texas, staying at the Baker Hotel. He departed the city via Love Field approximately one hour before Air Force One arrived.

1964: Opposition to the Civil Rights Act

In 1964, Goldwater won several Southern states by opposing the Civil Rights Act, alienating moderate Southerners.

June 6, 1966: Nixon Retires from U.S. Naval Reserve

On June 6, 1966, Richard Nixon retired from the U.S. Naval Reserve.

1968: Campaigning as an ERA Supporter

In 1968, Nixon campaigned as a supporter of the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA).

1968: Dilution of Southern Support

In 1968, Nixon's efforts to gain Southern support were diluted by Wallace's candidacy.

1968: Nixon Wins Presidential Election

In 1968, Richard Nixon ran again for the presidency and defeated the Democratic candidate, Vice President Hubert Humphrey.

July 1969: Chappaquiddick Incident

In July 1969, Ted Kennedy was largely removed from contention after the Chappaquiddick incident.

1969: Start of Nixon's Presidency

In 1969, Richard Nixon began his term as the 37th president of the United States.

March 1970: North Vietnamese Offensive in Cambodia

In March 1970, North Vietnamese troops launched an offensive and overran much of Cambodia, at the explicit request of the Khmer Rouge.

April 1970: First Earth Day

In April 1970, the first Earth Day occurred, signaling a wave of voter interest in environmental issues.

May 9, 1970: Meeting with Protesters at Lincoln Memorial

On May 9, 1970, Richard Nixon had an impromptu, early morning meeting with protesters at the Lincoln Memorial.

September 1970: Desegregation of Schools

By September 1970, due to Nixon's administration efforts, less than ten percent of black children were attending segregated schools.

1971: Nixon Aided Pakistan and Ended Dollar Convertibility

In 1971, Nixon covertly aided Pakistan during the Bangladesh Liberation War and ended the direct international convertibility of the U.S. dollar to gold.

January 5, 1972: Nixon Announces Candidacy for Reelection

On January 5, 1972, Nixon entered his name on the New Hampshire primary ballot, effectively announcing his candidacy for reelection.

1972: Nixon's Visit to China and Re-election

In 1972, Nixon visited China, leading to diplomatic relations between the two nations, and he was re-elected, defeating George McGovern.

October 10, 1973: Agnew Resigns as Vice President

On October 10, 1973, Vice President Agnew resigned due to bribery, tax evasion, and money laundering charges.

December 6, 1973: Ford Sworn in as Vice President

On December 6, 1973, Gerald Ford was sworn in as vice president.

1973: Watergate Revelations Erode Support

From 1973, ongoing revelations from the Nixon administration's involvement in Watergate eroded his support in Congress and the country.

1973: End of American Combat in Vietnam

In 1973, Richard Nixon ended American combat involvement in Vietnam and the military draft the same year.

1973: End of Bombing of Cambodia

It is estimated that between 50,000 and 150,000 people were killed during the bombing of Cambodia between 1970 and 1973.

August 8, 1974: Nixon Announces Resignation

On August 8, 1974, Nixon addressed the nation on television, announcing his resignation from the presidency.

August 9, 1974: Nixon's Resignation

On August 9, 1974, facing almost certain impeachment and removal from office, Richard Nixon resigned from the presidency.

December 1974: Nixon Plans His Comeback

In December 1974, despite facing considerable opposition, Nixon began planning his comeback into public life, as documented in his diary.

1974: Nixon's Resignation

In 1974, Richard Nixon resigned from the presidency, becoming the only U.S. president to do so. His resignation was a result of the Watergate scandal.

1975: Ford Visits China

In 1975, President Ford visited China before Nixon decided to travel there again.

1975: Nixon Begins Writing Memoirs and Faces Financial Constraints

In early 1975, Richard Nixon's health improved and he began working on his memoirs, compelled by financial constraints. By the end of February 1975, Nixon's transition allowance ended and he had to let go of many of his staff.

February 1976: Nixon Visits China at Mao's Invitation

In February 1976, Richard Nixon visited China upon the personal invitation of Mao Zedong.

1978: Nixon Visits the United Kingdom

In early 1978, Richard Nixon visited the United Kingdom. He was shunned by American diplomats and most ministers, but welcomed by Margaret Thatcher and other former prime ministers.

August 10, 1979: Nixons Purchase New York City Condominium

On August 10, 1979, the Nixons purchased a 12-room condominium on Fifth Avenue in New York City after being rejected by two Manhattan co-ops.

July 1980: Nixon Attends Shah of Iran's Funeral

In July 1980, after the Shah of Iran died, Nixon attended the funeral in Egypt, defying the State Department's intentions, and representing the U.S. due to his former presidential status.

1981: Nixon Moves to Saddle River, New Jersey

In 1981, after 18 months in a New York City townhouse, Richard Nixon and his wife moved to Saddle River, New Jersey.

1983: Nixon Interview About Poker Winnings

In a 1983 interview, Richard Nixon described turning down an invitation to dine with Charles Lindbergh because he was hosting a poker game.

July 19, 1990: Opening of the Richard Nixon Library and Birthplace

On July 19, 1990, the Richard Nixon Library and Birthplace opened in Yorba Linda, California, with the Nixons and former Presidents Ford, Reagan, and George H. W. Bush in attendance.

June 22, 1993: Death of Pat Nixon

On June 22, 1993, Pat Nixon died of emphysema and lung cancer. Her funeral was held at the Richard Nixon Library and Birthplace, with Richard Nixon delivering a tribute.

April 18, 1994: Nixon Suffers a Stroke

On April 18, 1994, Richard Nixon suffered a debilitating stroke.

April 22, 1994: Richard Nixon's Death

On April 22, 1994, Richard Nixon died. He had served as the 37th president of the United States from 1969 until his resignation in 1974.

April 27, 1994: Richard Nixon's Funeral

Richard Nixon's funeral took place on April 27, 1994, in Yorba Linda, California. Eulogists included President Bill Clinton, Henry Kissinger, Bob Dole, Pete Wilson, and Billy Graham, with former presidents and their wives also in attendance.