Richard Nixon

Richard Nixon is famous for the Watergate scandal. However, his life story contains many surprising details that history often overlooks. For instance, he was a talented musician who could play multiple instruments. Furthermore, he actually created the Environmental Protection Agency. Consequently, his legacy is far more complicated than just his resignation. Therefore, dive into the hidden history of the 37th President. You will see him in a new light.
Richard Nixon
  1. Richard Nixon was a very talented musician. Specifically, he could play the piano, saxophone, clarinet, accordion, and violin.
  2. He was a Quaker by faith. Therefore, his mother hoped he would become a missionary instead of a politician.
  3. Surprisingly, he applied to be an FBI agent. Decades before his presidency, he applied, but he never received a response.
  4. He was an avid bowler. In fact, he installed a one-lane bowling alley in the White House basement.
  5. Richard Nixon created the Environmental Protection Agency. Thus, he signed some of the most important environmental laws in history.
  6. He actually visited all fifty states. Consequently, he was the first president to achieve this travel milestone while in office.
  7. He loved cottage cheese and ketchup. Reportedly, this strange combination was his favorite breakfast at the White House.
  8. Elvis Presley visited him unexpectedly. The rock star showed up at the gates and asked for a federal narcotics badge.
  1. He opened diplomatic relations with China. This historic trip in 1972 changed the balance of Cold War power forever.
  2. Richard Nixon served in the Navy during WWII. Although he was a Quaker, he requested active duty in the South Pacific.
  3. He ran a literal “poker presidency.” During the war, he won thousands of dollars playing poker, which funded his first campaign.
  4. The “Checkers Speech” saved his career. When accused of corruption, he went on TV and talked about his family dog.
  5. He resigned to avoid impeachment. As a result, he remains the only U.S. president to ever resign from office.
  6. Secretly, he recorded his own conversations. Ironically, these tapes provided the smoking gun evidence that ended his presidency.
  7. Finally, he appeared on “Laugh-In.” He famously said the show’s catchphrase, “Sock it to me,” during the 1968 campaign.

How useful was this post?

Click on a star to rate it!