Saturday Night Massacre: Nixon Fires the Watergate Prosecutor
President Richard Nixon orders the firing of Attorney General Elliot Richardson and Deputy Attorney General William Ruckelshaus when both men refuse to dismiss Watergate special prosecutor Archibald Cox. Acting quickly, Solicitor General Robert Bork carries out the dismissal, triggering a firestorm that accelerates calls for Nixon's impeachment and seals his political fate within weeks.
October 20, 1973
53 years ago
Key Figures & Places
Richard Nixon
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Watergate scandal
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United States Attorney General
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Robert Bork
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Archibald Cox
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Elliot Richardson
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Attorney General
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Saturday Night Massacre
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Deputy Attorney General
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William Ruckelshaus
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United States Deputy Attorney General
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Special prosecutor
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Richard Nixon
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Watergate scandal
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Robert Bork
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Archibald Cox
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Elliot Richardson
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Saturday Night Massacre
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William Ruckelshaus
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What Else Happened on October 20
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en Bélgica, se libra la batalla de Montenaken.
en la actual República Dominicana, Francisco Dávila funda la villa Hato Mayor del Rey como una porción de tierra que se dedicaba a la ganadería y la agricultura…
Kaiser Karl V. landet mit einer Flotte bei Algier, um den algerischen Korsaren das Handwerk zu legen. Ein Unwetter, das die Schiffe zerstreut, und schwere Verlu…
Alonso de Mendoza founded La Paz in a valley 11,975 feet above sea level on orders from Charles V. He named it Nuestra Señora de La Paz—Our Lady of Peace—becaus…
The Duke of Alba crushed William the Silent’s forces at the Battle of Jodoigne, scattering the Dutch rebel army and forcing William into exile. This victory sec…
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