Watergate, e.g. is a term used to refer to a major political SCANDAL that occurred in the United States in 1972-1974. It involved the burglary of the Democratic National Committee headquarters at the Watergate office complex in Washington, D.C., and the subsequent cover-up of the crime by President Richard Nixon and his administration. The SCANDAL ultimately led to Nixon's resignation from office and the conviction of several of his top aides. The term 'Watergate' has since become synonymous with political scandals and corruption.