Final answer:
The correct answer is option 1) 5 men were arrested during the Democratic National Committee meeting at their headquarters in D.C.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Watergate scandal began with the arrest of five men during the Democratic National Committee meeting at their headquarters in the Watergate complex in Washington, D.C. on June 17, 1972. These men were linked to President Richard Nixon's reelection campaign, also known as the Committee to Reelect the President (CREEP). The culprits were caught trying to fix the phone taps that had been improperly placed during a previous break-in. Evidence quickly mounted against CREEP, with the FBI discovering illegal intelligence gathering for the purpose of sabotaging the Democratic Party.
Subsequently, as the Senate hearings unfolded on national television, former administration members testified or denied their role in the Watergate scandal. Most notably, the President's involvement in the conspiracy was brought to light, a claim which Nixon denied but which ultimately led to his indictment charges, and his eventual resignation.
Behind the scenes, Nixon and his top aides had initiated a cover-up, using campaign funds to pay hush money to the arrested men to prevent them from revealing their links to CREEP. It was only when the press, including reporters from the Washington Post, continued to investigate and publish findings that the full extent of the scandal became apparent to the public. This saga ultimately led to Nixon's resignation and left an indelible stain on American political history.