The Watergate scandal was a major political scandal that occurred in the United States during the early 1970s. It resulted in the resignation of President Nixon as it painted the presidency in bad light. It occurred as a result of a break-in by five men at the Democratic National Committee (DNC) headquarters at the Watergate office complex in Washington, D.C. on June 17, 1972, and President Nixon's administration's ensuing attempt to cover up its involvement.