Why Watergate matters

TODAY MARKS the 35th anniversary of one of the most famous and most misunderstood events in modern American history: the break-in at the Democratic National Committee's headquarters in the Watergate office building on June 17, 1972. The break-in set off a chain of events known as "Watergate," which led ultimately to Richard Nixon's forced resignation as president — and which is also misunderstood. For history's sake, it's important to set these things straight.

By Elizabeth Drew

June 17, 2007