Saturday Night Massacre
The firing of Special Prosecutor Cox, and the flurry of high-profile Justice Department resignations over the weekend caused the press to dub this event, the "Saturday Night Massacre."
Permanent historical records · Updated 2026-11-03
1973 in United States of America — Page 13
Explore 653 historical events and records for United States of America in 1973.
Historical records for United States of America in 1973
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October
Saturday Night Massacre
Nixon contacted the Solicitor General, Robert Bork, and ordered him, as acting head of the Justice Department in the wake of the previous resignations, to fire Cox. Bork reluctantly complied.
Saturday Night Massacre
The firing of Special Prosecutor Cox, and the flurry of high-profile Justice Department resignations over the weekend caused the press to dub this event, the "Saturday Night Massacre."
UN Security Council
Supports Resolution 338 calling for a ceasefire and peace negotiations.
Post-Massacre Tape Decision
Following intense political backlash, agrees that subpoenaed presidential recordings will be submitted through the judicial process.
Tape Compliance Decision
Agrees after the Saturday Night Massacre backlash to comply with the court process for subpoenaed Watergate recordings.
Nuclear Alert
The United States raises its alert level during the Soviet-American crisis over the ceasefire.
Late Campaign Practices Hearing
Participates as the committee resumes Phase II hearings and continues examining campaign practices, political operations and related evidence from the 1972 election.
Diplomatic Negotiations at Washington
Negotiates between the United States, Soviet Union, Israel, and Arab states during the October War crisis.
Military Aid
Oversees Defense Department participation in the airlift to Israel.
Oil Embargo
Faces the Arab oil embargo imposed after American support for Israel.
November
Campaign Practices November Hearing
Presides over a November Phase II session continuing the committee's examination of campaign practices and election-related political operations.
Jaworski Appointment
Appoints Leon Jaworski to lead the Watergate Special Prosecution Force after the dismissal of Archibald Cox.
Special Prosecutor
At a nationally televised press conference, Nixon also announced that he was instructing Acting Attorney General Bork to appoint a new Special Prosecutor for the Watergate matter. On November 1, The Justice Department appointed Leon Jaworski its new special prosecutor.
Special Prosecutor
At a nationally televised press conference, Nixon also announced that he was instructing Acting Attorney General Bork to appoint a new Special Prosecutor for the Watergate matter. On November 1, The Justice Department appointed Leon Jaworski its new special prosecutor.
Special Prosecutor
Is appointed Watergate special prosecutor to succeed Archibald Cox, with greater assurances of independence following the Saturday Night Massacre.
Special Prosecutor
At a nationally televised press conference, Nixon also announced that he was instructing Acting Attorney General Bork to appoint a new Special Prosecutor for the Watergate matter. On November 1, The Justice Department appointed Leon Jaworski its new special prosecutor
Special Prosecutor
At a nationally televised press conference, Nixon also announced that he was instructing Acting Attorney General Bork to appoint a new Special Prosecutor for the Watergate matter. On November 1, The Justice Department appointed Leon Jaworski its new special prosecutor.
Special Prosecutor
At a nationally televised press conference, Nixon also announced that he was instructing Acting Attorney General Bork to appoint a new Special Prosecutor for the Watergate matter. On November 1, The Justice Department appointed Leon Jaworski its new special prosecutor.
Campaign Practices Final Session
Participates in a later Phase II hearing as the committee completes additional public testimony concerning campaign practices and political activities.
Campaign Financing Phase Opens
Leads the opening of Phase III hearings devoted to campaign financing, expanding the committee's public inquiry into fundraising and financial practices surrounding the 1972 election.
Constitution of USA
Congress overrides Nixon's veto of law limiting the Presidents right to wage war
Government
Wins a landslide victory over Senator George McGovern. Appointed President of the USA, 37th President, 2nd term
War Powers Resolution
Co-sponsors the War Powers Resolution in the House
War Powers Resolution
Co-sponsors the War Powers Resolution limiting presidential war powers
War Powers Resolution
Congress overrides his veto of the War Powers Resolution after Vietnam and Cambodia controversies
Campaign Financing Testimony
Participates in Phase III testimony examining campaign financing, contributions and financial practices associated with the 1972 presidential campaign.
Watergate Sentence Modified
Court records reflected a modification of Hunt's Watergate sentence while his imprisonment and related legal proceedings continued.
Watergate Sentence Modified
Court records reflected a modification of Hunt's Watergate sentence while his imprisonment and related legal proceedings continued.
Campaign Finance Evidence Hearing
Presides over continued campaign-finance hearings as the committee examines contributions, fundraising arrangements and financial evidence developed during its investigation.
Campaign Contributions Inquiry
Takes part in further Phase III testimony concerning political contributions and financing practices connected with the 1972 presidential campaign.
Campaign Financing Public Hearings Continue
Leads another public session examining campaign financing and the committee's accumulated evidence about fundraising practices and political contributions.
Skylab 4
Commands the final Skylab crew launched in Apollo hardware.
Not a Crook Speech
At a televised press conference, declares that he is not a crook, has not profited from public service and has never obstructed justice.
Speech
And I think, too, that I could say that in my years of public life, that I welcome this kind of examination, because people have got to know whether or not their President is a crook.
Speech
And in all of my years of public life, I have never obstructed justice.
Speech
At the end of a lengthy response to a question about his personal finances, the President famously said, "And so, that is where the money came from.
Speech
Let me just say this, and I want to say this to the television audience: I made my mistakes, but in all of my years of public life, I have never profited,
Speech
The President gave another televised press conference, this time from the Contemporary Hotel in Disney World, where the President was attending the Annual Convention of the Associated Press Managing Editors Association.
Speech
Well, I am not a crook. I have earned everything I have got."
How these records were prepared
Generated from the World History Database historical_events table. Identical display records are collapsed; descriptions otherwise retain the stored text. Coverage and source quality vary. Check primary and specialist sources before citing individual historical claims.