One of America's most fascinating figures of the 20th century began the most visible stages of his political carrier in 1952. With a nationwide television broadcast, Richard Nixon secured his place as Dwight Eisenhower's running mate in an appeal to the public now known as the Checkers Speech. In a losing bid for the presidency in 1960, Nixon came back to became America's 37th president in 1969.
   Richard Nixon was born January 9, 1913 in his parent's bedroom in a small California Bungalow style home in Yorba Linda, California. The home assembled from a kit, Frank Nixon applied his self taught skills as a mason and carpenter. Richard Nixon spent the first nine years of his life in the Yorba Linda home with his parents and three brothers. It's been said his first introduction to politics was at the family dinner table, where his father would carry on lively conversations of world events and instigate debates. As a youngster, Nixon never dreamed of being president. It was passing freight trains that had him dreaming of being a railroad engineer.
   Although Nixon's second term as president ended with his resignation from office, his political career may well be remembered as more than the Watergate Scandal. President Barrack Obama recently reminded all Americans of the tremendous things he had done for his country. Perhaps he will be best remembered for his trip to China that shocked the world. Considered one of America’s staunchest foes in 1972, President Nixon offered a bold statement, extending his hand of friendship to the Chinese people.

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