10 Little-Known Insights About Richard Nixon

Frequently criticized yet undeniably intriguing, Richard M. Nixon (1913-1994) served as the 37th U.S. president and remains the first (and only) commander-in-chief to step down from office. While the Watergate scandal often overshadows his achievements, Nixon’s story extends beyond political missteps. Discover intriguing details about his early ambitions in law enforcement, the backlash he faced for remarks on Charles Manson, and his notorious run-in with RoboCop.

Richard Nixon followed the Quaker faith.

The Religious Society of Friends, or Quakers, originated in 17th century England and advocated for peace and gender equality during an era when such views were unpopular. After Nixon’s father, Frank, wed Quaker Hannah Milhous, he embraced the faith, and the couple brought up their children as Quakers. Nixon’s religious beliefs exempted him from World War II service, but he chose to enlist in the Navy. Years later, as he faced impeachment over Watergate, Quaker communities in Milwaukee and Minneapolis distanced themselves from the disgraced president, even petitioning for his removal months before his resignation.

He aspired to become an FBI agent.

Looking back, Nixon’s formal demeanor seems well-suited for the disciplined ranks of J. Edgar Hoover’s Federal Bureau of Investigation. Just over a month before finishing law school in 1937, the 24-year-old Nixon submitted an application to the bureau. Following an interview and medical examination, he awaited a reply that never came. Years later, as vice president, Nixon asked Hoover why he was rejected, and Hoover cited budget constraints as the reason.

Nixon penned romantic letters to his future wife.

Nixon first encountered his wife, Patricia, during a 1938 performance with the Whittier Community Players in the play The Dark Tower. He pursued her affection, penning heartfelt letters that seemed unusually sentimental for the man who would become president. In one, he wrote: “And when the wind blows and the rains fall and the sun shines through the clouds (as it is now), he still resolves, as he did then, that nothing so fine ever happened to him or anyone else as falling in love with Thee – my dearest heart.” They wed in 1940.

A dog played a pivotal role in temporarily rescuing Nixon's political career.

Early in his political journey, Nixon faced significant controversy. In 1952, Dwight D. Eisenhower contemplated removing Nixon as his vice presidential candidate following claims that Nixon was using a supporter-funded trust to cover personal and political costs. Addressing the issue on live radio and television, Nixon skillfully shared a story about his 6-year-old daughter’s affection for a cocker spaniel named Checkers, gifted by a campaign donor. The public, swayed by the idea that a dog lover couldn’t be entirely corrupt, rallied behind him, securing his place on the ticket.

“It became known as the ‘Checkers speech,’ as if mentioning my dog was the sole reason my career survived," Nixon later reflected. "Many critics overlooked the fact that the fund was fully explained, my finances were transparently disclosed, and I made an emotional yet sincere plea for public support."

Nixon literally darkened the mornings.

In 1973, during an energy crisis, Nixon enacted a law that required daylight saving time to be observed year-round, starting January 6, 1974. However, children ended up waiting for school buses in complete darkness, raising concerns about potential traffic accidents. This led to the policy being abandoned in 1975.

He had a bowling alley constructed beneath the White House.

Nixon, a dedicated bowling enthusiast, was delighted to find that the passion for bowling, which led Harry Truman to install lanes in the White House in 1947, remained strong when he assumed office in 1969. After the original alley was relocated in 1955, Nixon commissioned a new one beneath the North Portico entrance, appreciating its increased privacy compared to the lanes accessible to staff. Nixon reportedly achieved an impressive score of 232.

He proposed that the Secret Service adopt uniforms.

Typically, the president’s security team dresses professionally: suits, ties, and sunglasses are standard for many agents, while those guarding the White House grounds wear police-like attire. However, upon taking office, Nixon envisioned his agents resembling the palace guards he had observed abroad. His personal detail donned white double-breasted tunics and hats reminiscent of Imperial officers from Star Wars. After media backlash, Nixon scrapped the idea, and the uniforms were later donated to a high school marching band.

Nixon nearly disrupted Charles Manson's murder trial.

Nixon’s initial year as president aligned with the nation’s fixation on cult leader Charles Manson and his followers, who had committed a series of brutal murders in 1969, including actress Sharon Tate. During Manson’s trial in August 1970, Nixon declared Manson “was guilty, directly or indirectly, of eight murders without reason.” Manson’s legal team demanded a mistrial due to Nixon’s remarks. The president swiftly walked back his statement, with a spokesperson clarifying he had omitted the word “allegedly.”

Richard Nixon had an encounter with RoboCop.

In 1987, Nixon attended a national meeting for the Boys Club of America. Among the attendees was someone dressed as RoboCop. (The actor, not Peter Weller from the 1987 film, wore a noticeably ill-fitting costume.) For years, a photo of this event circulated online without explanation until an investigator revealed it was taken for Billboard magazine.

His encounter with Elvis Presley became a historic moment in the National Archives.

On December 21, 1970, Nixon welcomed one of the most eccentric visitors to the White House: Elvis Presley. The music icon reportedly sought a badge or similar symbol of authority, as he was deeply invested in combating drug abuse at the time. (Sadly, Presley’s own struggles with substance abuse likely played a role in his 1977 passing.) A photograph of their meeting remains one of the most sought-after images in the National Archives, surpassing (as of 2015) requests for images of the moon landing, the Declaration of Independence, and the Bill of Rights.