Richard Milhous Nixon (January 9, 1913–April 22, 1994) was the 37th president of the United States, serving from 1969 to 1974 as a Republican. Born in Yorba Linda, California, he graduated from Whittier College and Duke University Law School, then practiced law before entering politics after World War II.[1][2][3] Nixon's rise was rapid: elected to the U.S. House in 1946 by defeating Jerry Voorhis amid anti-communist campaigns, he won a Senate seat in 1950 and gained national prominence in the Alger Hiss case. At age 39, he became vice president under Dwight D. Eisenhower (1953–1961), handling key duties during Eisenhower's terms.[1][2][3][5] After narrow losses in the 1960 presidential election to John F. Kennedy and the 1962 California gubernatorial race, Nixon staged a comeback, defeating Hubert Humphrey and George Wallace in 1968.[1][2][3][5] Reelected in 1972 against George McGovern by a landslide, his presidency featured major achievements: ending U.S. combat involvement in Vietnam via the 1973 Paris Accords, opening diplomatic relations with China during his 1972 Beijing visit, pursuing détente with the Soviet Union including the SALT I treaty, creating the Environmental Protection Agency, ending the military draft, enacting anticrime laws, and advancing revenue sharing.[1][2][5] Nixon's tenure ended in disgrace with the Watergate scandal. A 1972 break-in at Democratic National Committee offices linked to his reelection campaign led to revelations of his cover-up attempts, confirmed by Oval Office tapes. Facing certain impeachment, he resigned on August 9, 1974—the first U.S. president to do so.[1][2][3] Nixon died in 1994 at age 81. His legacy endures in foreign policy innovations and environmental initiatives, contrasted by Watergate's impact on political accountability and journalism. No recent events apply, as he passed away over three decades ago.[1][2]