Richard Nixon: the record and the legends

Dick. The 37th president, 1969-1974, from California. Every story here is tagged Record, meaning it’s documented, or Legend, meaning it gets told a lot and doesn’t hold up. Each one links to its source.

President: 37th
In office: 1969-1974
Home state: California
Party: Republican
Height: 5'11½"

The record

RecordIn 1959 Vice President Nixon and Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev got into an unscripted argument in a model American kitchen at a Moscow exhibition, on camera, about whose system was better. Nixon didn't back down.Source: National Archives DocsTeach, The Kitchen Debate
RecordNixon played tackle for Whittier College, but mostly from the bench. What teammates remembered was his halftime pep talks and cheering from the sideline.Source: Whittier College Athletics Hall of Fame, Richard Nixon
RecordAfter losing the 1962 race for governor of California, Nixon told reporters they wouldn't have him to kick around anymore, because this was his last press conference. Six years later he was elected president.Source: Miller Center, Kicking Nixon Around
RecordOn July 20, 1969, Nixon called Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin on the Moon from the Oval Office. He called it the most historic phone call ever made.Source: National Archives, Richard Nixon Biography

The legends

LegendPeople often assume the nickname Tricky Dick came from Watergate. It's older than that. It dates to his rough 1950 Senate race in California, more than 20 years before the scandal.Source: Miller Center, Nixon: Life Before the Presidency

What he cared about

Easing Cold War tension: the trip to China, and arms treaties with the Soviet Union.
Protecting the environment. He created the EPA in 1970.
Getting U.S. troops out of Vietnam on his terms, which ended with the Paris Peace Accords.

The full record

His administration secretly bombed Cambodia starting in 1969, hitting civilians, and hid it from Congress and the public.

How he fights in POTUS KO

Bench tackle who never quit practice

Nixon was never the natural athlete. He won by grinding, waiting, and coming back after everyone counted him out. In the ring he wrestles and counters.

See POTUS KO

Questions about Richard Nixon

Where did the nickname Tricky Dick come from?

People often assume the nickname Tricky Dick came from Watergate. It's older than that. It dates to his rough 1950 Senate race in California, more than 20 years before the scandal.

What was the Kitchen Debate?

In 1959 Vice President Nixon and Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev got into an unscripted argument in a model American kitchen at a Moscow exhibition, on camera, about whose system was better. Nixon didn't back down.

Did Richard Nixon play college football?

Nixon played tackle for Whittier College, but mostly from the bench. What teammates remembered was his halftime pep talks and cheering from the sideline.