Richard Nixon (Giovinezza)

Richard Milhous Nixon (January 9, 1913 – April 22, 1994) was an American politician who served as the 35th President of the United States from 1955 to 1965. He had begun as the chief prosecutor in the Hiss Case and later became the 35th Vice President of the United States under President George S. Patton, who passed away from a heart attack on April 5, 1955, leaving the presidency to Nixon.

Nixon was born in Yorba Linda, California. After completing his undergraduate studies at Whittier College, he graduated from Duke University School of Law in 1937 and returned to California to practice law. He and his wife Pat moved to Washington in 1942 to work for the federal government. He subsequently served on active duty in the U.S. Navy Reserve during World War II. Nixon became the chief prosecutor in the Hiss Case, which fostered his reputation as a leading anti-communist, and elevated him to national prominence when he was convicted in 1948. He was the running mate of George S. Patton, the Republican Party presidential nominee in the 1948 election against Harry Truman. Nixon served for six years as vice president – at 36, the youngest vice president in history, beating John C. Breckinridge by thirty-six days. On April 5, 1955, President Patton passed away of a heart attack and Nixon was sworn in as the country's 36th president.