Richard Nixon

Thelma (“Pat”) Ryan married Richard Nixon in 1940. She was known as a supportive and loyal wife throughout her husband’s presidency.

Richard Nixon served as Dwight Eisenhower’s vice president from 1953 to 1961. Nixon, far left, is shown here with, left to right, his wife Pat Nixon, Mamie Eisenhower, and Dwight Eisenhower.

During the 1960 presidential campaign, Republican candidate Richard Nixon, left, faced Democratic presidential candidate John F. Kennedy in televised debates. Kennedy was widely regarded as the winner of the debates, and Nixon lost the election.

In 1972, U.S. President Richard M. Nixon traveled to China to improve relations between the two countries. Here, Nixon and Chinese Premier Zhou Enlai review troops during Nixon’s historic trip.

In 1972, Richard M. Nixon became the first American president to visit the Soviet Union. Here, Soviet leader Leonid Brezhnev, left, toasts Nixon.

In January 1973, Richard M. Nixon was inaugurated, or sworn in, for his second term as president of the United States. His wife, Pat, center, held the Bible on which he swore his oath.

On August 9, 1974, Richard M. Nixon became the first United States president to resign from office. Here, Nixon receives a hug from his daughter Julie Nixon Eisenhower after giving his resignation speech..

On August 8, 1974, U.S. president Richard Nixon announced that he would resign. The next day, he became emotional, left, as he said goodbye to staff members. He then boarded a helicopter, right, on the White House lawn, stopping to give a two-armed victory salute in farewell.

Richard Nixon