38 years ago today...

[SheilaT]

5. Oh, yes. I am old enough to remember.

His speech the night before stopped this country in its tracks.

I was working at Washington National Airport, and while he was speaking, no planes pulled away from the gates, I'm almost positive. Everyone, including the pilots and cabin crews, were inside watching. I can tell you that not a single person walked up to our ticket counter during that entire time. We were all in our little break room behind the counter, with the door open in case a passenger needed us. But nope, not a single one wanted our attention while Nixon was speaking.

Even now, when I see a tape of it, I keep on expecting him, after he says, "I'm not a quitter" to continue with, "And therefore I will complete out the remainder of my term as your President."

I swear to God, I hold my breath every single time for fear he's going to declare his intent to stay in office.

Also, because I worked in DC, I can tell you that the federal government all but came to a halt in terms of day-to-day business being carried on. Yeah, employees went to work, and I'm sure a good many of them did their jobs, but it was as if the entire metro area was in suspended animation, no matter what you did or who you were.