Today Nancy and I enjoyed a visit to the Nixon Library. Richard Nixon was born in Yorba Linda, California. His dad built their home from a mail order kit. It was a cottage with about 800 square feet including a small 10 x 12 loft room where the 4 Nixon boys slept in 2 double beds.
Nixon's dad attempted to grow oranges and lemons on 20 acres of land. After a few years - they moved out selling the farm.
Nixon later went to Whittier College where he became class president and student body president. He had been offered a scholarship to Harvard - but could not afford to go there. After Whittier he accepted a scholarship to Duke Law School.
After Duke - Nixon returned to Yorba Linda and worked with a law firm. He later ran for Congress from California - and built a reputation "chasing communists." Eisenhower selected him to balance his presidential ticket - and he became Vice President of the United States.
In 1960 - he lost the presidential bid to John Kennedy by .1% of the vote - some say the election was stolen from him. Two year later - he ran for Governor of California - and lost. Many folks thought his career was over.
But just as Phoenix rose from the ashes - in 1968 Nixon ran for president and he won. In 1972 - he was elected by the biggest landslide - winning in every state but Massachusetts.
In 1974 - under the threat of impeachment - he was the first president to resign.
He lived on for 20 years - dying in 1994,
He will be remembered for opening up relationships with "red" China and ending the Vietnam War.
The Museum is a wonderful place to visit. It is done in a folksy motif - emphasizing his accomplishments. It does devote a whole room to the Watergate Scandal that forced his resignation.
Baby Boomers can't help but relive their formative years as they visit the exhibits. Richard Nixon is a tragic hero. I do not think he approved or was even aware of the Watergate Break-in. He had the 1972 election locked up early and did not need any "secrets" from Watergate. Unfortunately - he did take part in a coverup - and his political enemies were able to reverse his landslide victory in 1972 - with his resignation in 1974.
Nancy and I drove to Washington in January of 1973 - to see Nixon's swearing in for his second term. We slept in the car that bitter cold January night. We were guests of Congressman Gus Yatron - meeting with him and warming up in his office before the ceremony. We will never forget the look on Nixon's face as they played "Hail to the Chief" for him. It was a different time then - after the ceremony we were leaning on the presidential limo - waiting for the President to come out of the Capitol after lunch for his parade to the White House. I re-call running my hands along the side looking for "bullet" dents from when Kennedy was shot at in the same limosine.
More Nixon Museum Pictures
