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Watergate ScandalThe Watergate scandal was a defining US political crisis of the early 1970s, sparked by a June 1972 break-in at Democratic National Committee offices inside Washington's Watergate complex. The burglars were tied to President Richard Nixon's reelection campaign, and subsequent investigations uncovered illegal campaign activities and an extensive White House cover-up. The scandal ultimately led to nearly 50 criminal convictions and Nixon's resignation in August 1974—the only resignation by a US president. Although the White House initially dismissed the break-in as a "third-rate burglary," journalists and federal investigators soon traced money and coordination back to Nixon's campaign. Senate hearings revealed the existence of secret Oval Office tape recordings, and a confrontation over access to those tapes culminated in the 1973 "Saturday Night Massacre," when Nixon ordered the firing of a special prosecutor—triggering a constitutional crisis and impeachment proceedings. In July 1974, the Supreme Court ordered the release of the tapes, confirming Nixon's role in the cover-up. After his resignation, President Gerald Ford pardoned Nixon, a decision that proved controversial. Watergate reshaped American politics, producing major reforms in campaign finance, ethics, and congressional oversight while permanently deepening public distrust in government. Explore Watergate Scandal

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Water is not good at dissolving substances with even charge distributionsBecause oxygen attracts electrons much more strongly than hydrogen does in H₂O, the molecule is polar, with a negative charge at the oxygen atom and positive charges at the hydrogen atoms. These charged regions can attract and pull apart charged portions of other polar molecules, such as washable inks, but are unable to dissolve nonpolar materials, such as glass and asphalt. MinuteEarth Learn about deep water corals and the coral gardens they slowly build in the darkFound throughout the world's ocean basins at depths beyond 200 meters (660 feet), these corals do not rely on photosynthetic organisms for nutrients and instead rely on food that's fallen from the ocean surface. Beyond forming larger reefs over the course of thousands of years, smaller coral gardens are built with the aid of underwater worms. Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History Author David Foster Wallace's 'This Is Water' speech provides guidance for adulthoodWallace, a university professor and famed author of "Infinite Jest," delivered this commencement speech at Kenyon College in 2005. Wallace sought to avoid the usual conventions and instead gave future grads honest, direct advice for navigating everyday life as white-collar workers and challenging one's own self-centeredness. Jeffrey Danese Amid the aftermath of Watergate, Gerald Ford declared that the state of the Union was 'not good'In his first State of the Union in January 1975, President Ford departed from the usual optimism, bluntly acknowledging recession, inflation, and public distrust as the country worked to recover from Nixon's resignation and the Watergate scandal. C-SPAN Excluding water vapor, greenhouse gases make up less than 1% of Earth's atmosphereAlthough carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, ozone, and most fluorinated gases account for only a minority of the planet's greenhouse effect due to their lower concentrations, they are more effective at trapping thermal radiation. While water vapor condenses within two weeks, other greenhouse gases linger in the atmosphere for years on average. NASA Earth's water may have come from comets, asteroids, or its magma oceanBefore Earth's atmosphere formed, any liquid water would have boiled off, preventing the accumulation of water early on to create today's oceans. Planetary scientists continue to debate whether this water was delivered later from comet or asteroid collisions or via reactions between iron oxide in Earth's molten surface and hydrogen gas from the planetary nebula. Short Wave Partial freezing results from trying to freeze water while preventing expansionWithin a sealed container, partial freezing of water increases the contained volume and the pressure, preventing further freezing without decreasing the temperature further. Once cooled below -23 degrees Celsius (-9.4 degrees Fahrenheit), an uncommon type of ice that contracts as it forms is produced, facilitating the complete freezing of the contained water. minutephysics The world's largest waterfall is in the oceanIn the Denmark Strait between Greenland and Iceland, a series of cataracts descend from 2,000 to 10,000 feet beneath the surface. The underwater waterfall is possible because cold water is denser than warm water and quickly sinks in the region. NOAA The Rolling Stones got their name from a Muddy Waters songThe band was set to play a live session on the BBC in 1962, though they still didn't have a name. When guitarist Brian Jones spoke to Jazz News magazine about the upcoming appearance, he realized the group still didn't have a name. He saw Muddy Waters' "Rollin' Stone" record on the ground and decided in that moment that it would be the name of the band. Far Out Magazine Some faucets in regions near fracking wells run flammable water A 2011 study found methane contamination as much as 3,000 feet away from wells, although there was no evidence of fracking chemicals in tested wells. Water with low methane concentrations is not harmful to drink, but it becomes flammable when mixed with air. ProPublica The Office of Water protects the nation's rivers, lakes and drinking suppliesThe office develops national standards for safe drinking water, regulates wastewater treatment, and enforces the Clean Water Act. It partners with states and tribes to monitor pollution, protect wetlands, and restore aquatic ecosystems across the United States. EPA The Safe Drinking Water Act protects tap water for AmericansPassed in 1974, the Safe Drinking Water Act requires the EPA to set and enforce national standards for public water systems. It regulates contaminants, funds infrastructure improvements, and ensures that communities nationwide have access to safe and clean drinking water. AmericanWaterWorks The Clean Water Act became the national standard for protecting American watersEnacted in 1972, the Clean Water Act grants the Environmental Protection Agency the authority to regulate pollutant discharges, establish water quality standards, and oversee water pollution controls. Its scope has narrowed due to recent Supreme Court rulings. RiverNetwork Data centers' electrical needs create increased water demands beyond coolingEach query uses approximately one single-serving water bottle per conversation, but water is also used for steam cycles and cooling in power plants that generate electricity for data centers. Newer cooling methods, such as immersion cooling, where servers are submerged in fluids that don't conduct electricity, can minimize water use. The Conversation Explore an interactive map of the world's water gapsHumans extract 4,000 cubic kilometers of water from natural systems annually—eight times more than a century ago—creating regions where freshwater demand surpasses available reserves. The depletion of shallow aquifers has driven tapping into deeper, nonrenewable ones, threatening ecosystem sustainability. National Geographic The Kidd Creek Mine in Canada houses the world's oldest isolated waterThe mine sits on the Precambrian Canadian Shield—an ocean floor dating back 2.7 billion years. Exhibiting a musty smell, the water is 10 times saltier than seawater and offers insights into Earth’s ancient seabed. ZME Science Cats evolved from arid land animals, contributing to their aversion to waterAlthough positive water experiences can make some cats water-loving, they usually self-clean, making baths unnecessary. Popular Science Cold water swimming can induce positive stressThe tradition of cold water swimming (or taking a cold plunge, or even a cold shower) has been shown to release the same hormones triggered during a stress response. This can have the effect of increasing blood flow, improved mental acuity, and more. National Library of Medicine Bottled water started as a 19-century wellness trendSelling drinking water in America began at resorts in New York and West Virginia, where tourists were encouraged to take the regenerative mineral water back to their homes. Serious Eats Watermelons were once neither red nor sweetThe gargantuan summer picnic staple has a fascinating story: 100 million tons are produced worldwide and they take up the most space of any vegetable crop in the world. But not long ago, the flesh of the melon was white and it had a bitter taste. Gastropod Water from four Great Lakes feeds Niagara FallsNiagara Falls is powered by water from Lakes Superior, Michigan, Huron, and Erie. The Great Lakes basin spans over 260,000 square miles and holds nearly 20% of the world’s surface freshwater—about two-thirds of which passes over the falls. NY Falls Asteroids are artifacts of water's presence in the solar systemAsteroids contributed to planet formation and carried water from the solar system's outer reaches toward the center. They were also early providers of the necessary elements and conditions for life to evolve on Earth. Axios Watergate's anti-Castro Latino burglars believed they were fighting communismAmong the Watergate burglars, Virgilio González, Bernard Barker, and Eugenio Martínez were Cuban-American anti-Castro exiles who believed they were combating communist influence in the United States. Axios Some Watergate reforms may have fueled today's partisan, confrontational CongressThe newly elected officials after the Watergate scandal dismantled seniority norms, opened committee votes, and televised proceedings—efforts aimed at increasing transparency that, unintentionally, may have fueled the polarized and combative tone of today's Congress. POLITICO Magazine Watergate-era reforms restricted the power of the presidencyWatergate ushered in sweeping changes. Agencies were required to release information openly, officials had to disclose finances transparently, and new laws limited conflicts of interest. The reforms also established independent oversight of ethics and safeguarded presidential records, curbing abuse and boosting accountability. Harvard Law School Watergate led to the prosecution of nearly 50 individuals Watergate ushered in sweeping changes: agencies were required to release information openly; officials had to disclose finances transparently; and new laws limited conflicts of interest, established independent ethics oversight, and safeguarded presidential records—curbing abuse and boosting accountability. CBS News The Watergate scandal took two years to unfoldBeginning with the June 17, 1972, break-in, the scandal progressed through Senate hearings in 1973, the explosive revelation of Oval Office tapes, and culminated in Nixon's resignation by August 1974. History The reporters who broke the Watergate scandal reflect 50 years laterEven after 50 years, famed Watergate reporters Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein remain tightly connected—calling each other multiple times a week. ABC News Transpiration drives water movement through a plant’s vascular systemWater evaporates from the leaves, creating tension that pulls more water upward from the roots through the xylem—the equivalent of plant blood vessels. This process is supported by water molecules sticking to each other (cohesion) and xylem walls (adhesion). The Science Sauce Why water towers are built that wayWater towers are elevated reservoirs. Their height keeps pressure on the whole public water system, preventing dribbles from the faucet. Their rounded shape helps support the heavy weight of hundreds of gallons of water. History of Simple Things Fireworks contribute to air, water, and soil contamination and disrupt wildlifeFireworks displays have far-reaching environmental consequences, including acid rain from displays during storms and microplastic pollution in water supplies. Wildlife has also been seen abandoning sites during fireworks and never returning. Earth.org Hurricane Helene dumped enough water to fill Lake TahoeAlongside a rainstorm that moved into the region ahead of it, the hurricane released an unprecedented 40 trillion gallons of rain on the southeastern US, causing catastrophic flooding and at least 100 deaths. Meteorologists suggest climate change is exacerbating the severity of such events. PBS The world’s largest waterfall is hidden underwaterThe Denmark Strait cataract is an underwater waterfall in the ocean channel between Iceland and Greenland. It’s also the world’s largest waterfall. Standing 11,500 feet tall, the incredible natural landmark is more than three times the height of Angel Falls, the largest waterfall on land. Discover more about the features of this cataract, which, despite its massive size, is totally undetectable above water. Live Science The Alhambra’s medieval water system powered a palace-cityBuilt over centuries by Islamic rulers in medieval Spain, the Alhambra used canals and pressurized tanks to move water throughout the complex. Its sophisticated system supplied fountains, baths, and gardens, showcasing advanced medieval engineering. Primal Space Experience Watergate through photographsThe Watergate scandal produced some of the most iconic images in American political history—especially the candid shot of Nixon boarding a helicopter while leaving the White House for the final time on Aug. 9, 1974. CNN Where are warm water coral reefs found?Corals thrive in many marine environments around the world—from warm, tropical waters to deep, cold waters. This two-minute video from PBS focuses on warm water coral reefs and where they can be found. Coral reefs thrive where the water is clear,... PBS LearningMedia How water pressure affects the bodyThe extreme conditions of the deep sea include increasing amounts of pressure as explorers and organisms descend into its depths. The major danger for both fish and humans is the way pressure changes how body tissues absorb chemical molecules... YouTube How Israel uses water to control the West BankWater is one of the most precious resources in Israel and the Palestinian territories. Israel controls about 80 percent of water reserves in the West Bank, but both the West Bank and Gaza Strip face severe water stress and drought. While Israel is the world leader in water management and technology, rights groups claim that Israeli successes come at the cost of Palestinians. According to a report by human rights NGO B’Tselem, Israelis use three times as much water a day as West Bank Palestinians do. Read the Guardian’s article to see how Israel uses water to control the West Bank. The Guardian Could water scarcity cause future wars in the Middle East?The MENA region is facing a looming water crisis that could lead to future conflicts. While water scarcity isn’t new in the Middle East, the region is among the most water scarce in the world. Home to only 1% of the world’s fresh water... Al Jazeera English A history of water on the moonIs there water on the moon? In 2020, NASA's SOFIA mission confirmed the existence of water on the sunlit area of the lunar surface. Early astronomers mistook the dark spots on the Moon for oceans, but they are actually plains of dark, lava-produced... NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration How trees transport water from roots to leavesTrees move water to their extremities via a deft system starting from the roots to the leaves. See how it works in this short video breaking down the process in a Douglas fir. YouTube How LA brought water to its booming populationBy the turn of the 20th century, Los Angeles had grown from a dusty, crime-ridden pueblo into a thriving metropolis. The only problem was that it was growing too fast. Here's the story of how the booming town created a massive water infrastructure to redirect area rivers to its residents. Wondery Eleven aqueducts funneled water to Rome's 1 million inhabitantsThe Roman Empire's capital city was home to about one million people at its peak and managed to provide running water to many of its homes, fountains, and public baths. This was made possible by the 11 aesthetically grand aqueducts that poured into ancient Rome from the countryside. Discover Desalination involves costly, energy-intensive methods for producing freshwaterThermal desalination heats saltwater to produce steam, and reverse osmosis forces saltwater through a membrane that only allows water through. In both cases, freshwater is collected and remineralized for consumption, while wastewater brine is often returned to the ocean, where it may harm marine organisms. CNBC What are waterspouts and how do they form?A two-and-half-minute video explaining how water spouts are formed and the five-stage life cycles they exhibit. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Rarely do watershed matches turn out to be a cue for the next decade.It was the most dramatic defeat of Arsene Wenger’s reign. Here, The Athletic retells Manchester United 8-2 Arsenal The Athletic Bob's Discount Furniture was born from a motorcycle accident Founder Bob Kauffman crashed his motorcycle and nearly required a leg amputation. After sleeping on a waterbed appeared to help his recovery, Kauffman decided to sell the beds. His authentic and frugal approach (and goofy commercials) led to quick growth. The Quota Dsup slightly unwinds DNA and changes shape to better cling to the moleculeThe damage suppressor protein, which is exclusively found in tardigrades, has also been modeled as coating DNA and shielding it from radiation and the toxic byproducts of radiation damage. Dsup may become a fundamental ingredient in future DNA storage technologies. The Conversation Watch tardigrade samples under an optical microscopeTardigrade samples can be collected by gathering moss and submerging it in tap water for 24 hours. The moss should then be cut and drained with a mesh sieve, and the water should be collected. Samples are observable in the water between 10x and 40x magnifications. Motic North America Solar wind may have contributed to Mars losing its atmosphereScientists believe that over hundreds of millions of years, energetic particles from the sun colliding with atmospheric particles, flinging them away from Mars' weak gravitational field like colliding billiard balls. As atmospheric pressure decline, water also evaporated away from the surface. NASA MAVEN Mission to Mars

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