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Great mystery of the 1970s: Nixon, Watergate and the Huston Plan

By Douglas Brinkley, CNN Presidential Historian, and Luke A. Nichter

Updated 2:10 PM ET, Wed June 17, 2015

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President Richard Nixon was in the White House from 1969 to 1974, when he became the first president to resign from office. He died at 81 in 1994. Here's a look at his life and legacy:
Photos: Richard Nixon's life and career
President Richard Nixon was in the White House from 1969 to 1974, when he became the first president to resign from office. He died at 81 in 1994. Here's a look at his life and legacy:
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Nixon was born in California on January 9, 1913. He is pictured at age 4.
Photos: Richard Nixon's life and career
Nixon was born in California on January 9, 1913. He is pictured at age 4.
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As a teenager, Nixon poses for a portrait with a violin in 1927.
Photos: Richard Nixon's life and career
As a teenager, Nixon poses for a portrait with a violin in 1927.
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Nixon, No. 12, and his football teammates at Whittier College pose for a picture in the 1930s. After graduating from Whittier, he attended law school at Duke University.
Photos: Richard Nixon's life and career
Nixon, No. 12, and his football teammates at Whittier College pose for a picture in the 1930s. After graduating from Whittier, he attended law school at Duke University.
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During World War II, Nixon served as a lieutenant commander in the Navy.
Photos: Richard Nixon's life and career
During World War II, Nixon served as a lieutenant commander in the Navy.
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Nixon, far right, stands next to John F. Kennedy and other freshmen members of Congress in 1947.
Photos: Richard Nixon's life and career
Nixon, far right, stands next to John F. Kennedy and other freshmen members of Congress in 1947.
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Republican presidential nominee Dwight D. Eisenhower and his running mate, Richard Nixon, with their wives at the Republican National Convention in Chicago on July 12, 1952. The Eisenhower-Nixon ticket won the election that year.
Photos: Richard Nixon's life and career
Republican presidential nominee Dwight D. Eisenhower and his running mate, Richard Nixon, with their wives at the Republican National Convention in Chicago on July 12, 1952. The Eisenhower-Nixon ticket won the election that year.
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Vice President Nixon, right, and Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev, center, share a laugh during Nixon's visit to the Soviet Union in 1959. The two leaders engaged in an informal debate about the merits of capitalism versus communism at the opening of the American National Exhibition in Moscow.
Photos: Richard Nixon's life and career
Vice President Nixon, right, and Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev, center, share a laugh during Nixon's visit to the Soviet Union in 1959. The two leaders engaged in an informal debate about the merits of capitalism versus communism at the opening of the American National Exhibition in Moscow.
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Nixon poses for a portrait with his wife, Pat, and their daughters, Tricia and Julie, circa 1958.
Photos: Richard Nixon's life and career
Nixon poses for a portrait with his wife, Pat, and their daughters, Tricia and Julie, circa 1958.
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Vice President Nixon and Sen. John F. Kennedy take part in a televised debate during their 1960 presidential campaign. Kennedy won the election that year.
Photos: Richard Nixon's life and career
Vice President Nixon and Sen. John F. Kennedy take part in a televised debate during their 1960 presidential campaign. Kennedy won the election that year.
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Republican presidential candidate Nixon campaigns in New York in 1960.
Photos: Richard Nixon's life and career
Republican presidential candidate Nixon campaigns in New York in 1960.
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Nixon addresses supporters after winning his party's nomination again in 1968. He went on to defeat the Democratic nominee, incumbent Vice President Hubert Humphrey.
Photos: Richard Nixon's life and career
Nixon addresses supporters after winning his party's nomination again in 1968. He went on to defeat the Democratic nominee, incumbent Vice President Hubert Humphrey.
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First lady Pat Nixon, center, watches as her husband is sworn in as the 37th president of the United States by Supreme Court Chief Justice Earl Warren on January 20, 1969.