On August 8, 1974, President Richard Nixon announced his resignation from office the following day, becoming the first U.S. president to do so. His resignation came in the wake of the Watergate scandal, a political controversy involving a break-in at the Democratic National Committee headquarters and a subsequent cover-up by members of his administration. Facing almost certain impeachment and loss of political support, Nixon chose to step down. Vice President Gerald Ford was sworn in as president the next day. Nixon's resignation marked a major turning point in American political history and highlighted the power of the Constitution and checks and balances.