Richard Nixon: “I do hereby urge the people of the United States to honor our American merchant marine on May 22, 1972.”

This was a serious act of omission for which I take full responsibility and which I deeply regret.

This country needs good farmers, good businessmen, good plumbers, good carpenters.

I firmly believe that our current fiscal situation demands national unanimity on the issues of a larger concern.

I have never been a quitter. To leave office before my term is completed is abhorrent to every instinct in my body. But as president, I must put the interests of America first. Therefore, I shall resign the presidency effective at noon…