The term "Watergate scandal" references a major political scandal in the early 1970s involving a break-in at the Democratic National Committee headquarters located in the Watergate office complex and the subsequent cover-up by the Nixon administration. The scandal began with the discovery of illegal activities aimed at undermining political opponents and led to a series of revelations about abuse of power, corruption, and obstruction of justice. Ultimately, it resulted in President Richard Nixon's resignation in 1974, making him the first U.S. president to do so, and had a profound impact on public trust in government and U.S. politics.