Today in History
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1973: Nixon declares “I am not a crook”
In a televised appearance before hundreds of Associated Press managing editors, President Richard Nixon told the nation today, “I am not a crook.” Nixon was referring to allegations concerning his involvement in the Watergate scandal.
“President Nixon said Saturday night the American people ‘have got to know whether or not their President is a crook,’ and declared, ‘Well, I’m not a crook. I earned everything I got.’ He said once again that he is innocent of Watergate involvement, revealed new details about his personal finances, and vowed to strive for a restoration of confidence in his leadership,” reported The Yuma Daily Sun on November 18, 1973. “In proclaiming his innocence, the President said, ‘I’ve made my mistakes, but in all my years of public life I have never profited from public service. I have earned every cent. And in all my years of public life, I have never obstructed justice.’”
NOTE: Although Nixon continued to deny his involvement in Watergate, audio tapes containing tapes of conversations in the president’s office revealed otherwise. He resigned as president on August 8, 1974, not long after three articles of impeachment were passed.
Links to the Past
‘And That’s The Truth’
The Lima News, November 18, 1973
Continued: Truth
Nixon Says He Will Prove Innocence
Delta Democrat-Times, November 18, 1973
‘Well, I’m Not a Crook, I Earned Everything I Got’
The Yuma Daily Sun, November 18, 1973
He’ll Bare Finances, Nixon Tells Editors
The Van Nuys News, November 18, 1973
The Lima News
November 18, 1973
Wildfire burns through California
More than 100 homes have been destroyed in a fire consuming the canyons of Santa Barbara County. The blaze started Thursday evening and spread quickly due to strong winds, engulfing 2,500 acres in and around Montecito. A rare nighttime water drop via helicopters, battling 70 mile-per-hour winds, provided some relief, though it did not contain the flames. Early Friday, a squadron of aircraft were launched to drop water on the fire, with hopes of quelling the blaze before winds picked back up in the afternoon.
The town of Montecito, nicknamed “America’s Riviera,” is home to many celebrities as well as Westmont College. John Cleese, Oprah Winfrey, Rob Lowe, and Michael Douglas all own homes there, though most are secondary or vacation residences. Charlie Chaplin and Fatty Arbuckle’s famous Montecito Inn is a landmark in the town, and there is no word whether it has been caught in the firestorm yet.
Appeal-Democrat
October 23, 2007
The Chronicle Telegram
November 18, 2003
 
The Edinburgh Evening Courant
November 22, 1869