Final answer:
The Watergate break-in took place in June 1972 and led to the resignation of President Richard Nixon after his involvement in the attempted cover-up of the crime was revealed.
Step-by-step explanation:
Watergate Break-in: Historical Overview
The Watergate break-in occurred in June 1972 when supporters of President Richard Nixon burglarized the Democratic headquarters at the Watergate complex. This scandal led to President Nixon resigning from office due to his involvement in the cover-up following the burglary. The operatives who were caught breaking into the offices of the Democratic National Committee (DNC) were linked to Nixon's re-election committee, and it was later revealed that Nixon himself had authorized the break-in.
Following the initial incident, the Watergate scandal unravelled as investigative reporters and a Senate investigation exposed the depths of the corruption. The scandal shook the nation's trust in its leadership and had a lasting impact on American politics, permanently attaching the suffix “-gate” to denote a political scandal. Eventually, the truth of Nixon’s involvement and the subsequent cover-up efforts came to light due to recorded conversations that Nixon had in the Oval Office, leading to his resignation on August 9, 1974.