The Watergate scandal came to light in June 1972 when a team of five thieves were arrested after breaking into the US Democratic National Committee (DNC) located in the Watergate complex offices. Based on tips from an anonymous FBI informant nicknamed "Deep Throat", journalists Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein of the Washington Post were able to establish a link between the thieves and a secret "slush fund" used for President Richard Nixon's re-election campaign.

Up to March 1974, press coverage and a Congressional investigation revealed many more criminal acts by Nixon staff, including wiretapping, embezzlement, kidnapping and suppression of evidence.

On August 5th, 1974, the "Smoking Gun" tape of a phone call between Nixon and his Chief of Staff H.R. Haldeman proved a plan to use CIA and FBI officials to suppress investigations. This tape, and an impending impeachment process, led to Nixon's resignation on August 9, 1974.

With Watergate’s 48 resulting prosecutions, the suffix “-gate” has become synonymous with corruption worldwide, with examples including Irangate, Monicagate, Textgate, Dieselgate, Ibizagate and dozens more.

The Watergate hotel has embraced its dubious past, distributing keycards bearing the phrase "No need to break in" and giving special status to room 214, where spying on the DNC took place. Room 214 is now equipped with a reel-to-reel tape player, a manual typewriter, binoculars and a special bathrobe embroidered with the words "Cover Up".

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