Chris Rubio

Richard Milhous Nixon was born on January 9, 1913 in Yorba Linda, California to parents Francis Anthony Nixon (1878-1956) and Hannah Elizabeth Milhous (1885-1967). He was one of five children in his family. Nixon spent his early years on his family's lemon farm and later moved to Whittier, California, where he attended high school and college. Following his undergraduate studies, Nixon received a scholarship to attend Duke University School of Law, where he earned his law degree in 1937. He then began his political career where he rose to prominence as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives from California in the late 1940s, where he gained national attention for his role in the Alger Hiss case. Nixon then served as Dwight D. Eisenhower's vice president from 1953 to 1961, during which he played a significant role in shaping Cold War policies and handling international crises. After losing the 1960 presidential election to John F. Kennedy, Nixon staged a political comeback, winning the presidency in 1968 and again in 1972. His presidency was marked by significant domestic and foreign policy initiatives, including the establishment of the Environmental Protection Agency, desegregation efforts, and diplomatic openings with China and the Soviet Union. However, Nixon's administration was also marred by the Watergate scandal, leading to his resignation in 1974, making him the only U.S. president to resign from office. Despite his resignation, Nixon remained a significant figure in American politics, continuing to influence public discourse through writing, speaking engagements, and international diplomacy until his death in 1994.