The Watergate Scandal was a political scandal in the United States during the early 1970s. It began with a break-in at the Democratic National Committee headquarters, located in the Watergate office complex in Washington, D.C., on June 17, 1972. The break-in was linked to members of President Richard Nixon's administration, who sought to wiretap and gather information on their political opponents. As investigations unfolded, it was revealed that the Nixon administration attempted to cover up its involvement in the break-in. This led to a series of hearings and the eventual resignation of Nixon on August 8, 1974, making him the first U.S. president to resign from office. The scandal had lasting effects on American politics and public trust in government.