Born in Yorba Linda, California, in 1913, he was the second of the five sons born to Anthony Nixon and Hannah Milhous Nixon.
He attended public schools in Whittier, California and went to Whittier college where he majored in history.
He won a scholarship to Duke University Law School and recieved his law degree in 1937.
He joined an established law firm where he met his wife, Thelma (“Pat”) Ryan. The couple married on June 21, 1940. They had 2 daughters, Patricia, born in 1946, and Julie, born in 1948.
He joined the Navy as a lieutenant, spent most of his service on a South Pacific island, and left the service in 1946 as a lieutenant commander.
In 1946, he won the congressional election by accusing his opponent, Jerry Voorhis, of being “soft” on communism.
In 1950, he won the senatorial election again by accusing his opponent of having some link to communism.
In 1952, he was selected as a running mate for Dwight D. Eisenhower. They went on to serve two terms.
He lost the presidential election of 1960 to Senator John F. Kennedy.
In 1962, He also lost in the race for governor of California. Many thought this to be the end of his political career, suprisingly he won the presidential election of 1968.
Presidential Facts
He was the first president to resign from office.
Ordered an invasion on Cambodia in 1970 that triggered massive protest in the United States.
Signed trade agreements with China and the Soviet Union and made historic visits to both countries.
Singed the Strategic Arms Limitations Treaties, or SALT I, with the Soviet Union in May, 1972.
Signed a cease-fire with North Vietnam and withdrew the last U.S. troops from Vietnam in 1973.
