The [[Watergate]] scandal had a number of memorable moments -- here are a few: | Date | Quote | Person | Description | Reference | |---------------------|------------------------------------------------------------|--------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | June 17, 1972 | "I'm sorry, gentlemen, but I have to leave you." | Frank Wills | Security guard who discovered the break-in at the Watergate complex. | [Read more](https://www.history.com/topics/1970s/watergate-scandal-1) | | November 17, 1972 | "I am not a crook." | [[Richard Nixon]] | President of the United States, denying his involvement in the Watergate scandal. | [Read more](https://www.history.com/topics/1970s/watergate-scandal-1) | | April 30, 1973 | "I take full responsibility for the actions of my subordinates." | Richard Nixon | President of the United States, acknowledging some responsibility for the Watergate scandal. | [Read more](https://www.history.com/topics/1970s/watergate-scandal-1) | | May 17, 1973 | "What did the President know and when did he know it?" | Senator Howard Baker Jr. | Republican senator, questioning the extent of Nixon's knowledge of the Watergate scandal. | [Read more](https://www.history.com/topics/1970s/watergate-scandal-1) | | July 16, 1973 | "I'm not a reporter, and I'm not in the habit of taking notes." | Alexander Butterfield | White House aide, revealing the existence of Nixon's secret taping system during [[Senate]] testimony. | [Read more](https://www.history.com/topics/1970s/watergate-scandal-1) | | August 5, 1974 | "Therefore, I shall resign the Presidency effective at noon tomorrow." | Richard Nixon | President of the United States, announcing his resignation in the face of impeachment for Watergate. | [Read more](https://www.history.com/topics/1970s/watergate-scandal-1) | | July 24, 1974 | "I had no prior knowledge of the Watergate break-in." | Richard Nixon | President of the United States, denying prior knowledge of the Watergate break-in in a televised interview. | [Read more](https://www.history.com/topics/1970s/watergate-scandal-1) | | July 27, 1974 | "The truth is not a partisan issue." | Howard Baker | Republican senator, during his questioning of Nixon's aides before the Senate Watergate Committee. | [Read more](https://www.history.com/topics/1970s/watergate-scandal-1) | | August 8, 1974 | "Our long national nightmare is over." | Gerald Ford | Vice President of the United States, upon becoming President after Nixon's resignation. | [Read more](https://www.history.com/topics/1970s/watergate-scandal-1) |