Richard Nixon — 37th President of the United States
37th President of the United States, Republican
Richard Nixon
Term: Jan 20, 1969 – Aug 9, 1974
Richard Nixon (1913–1994) was the thirty-seventh president of the United States, serving from 1969 to 1974. His presidency included the opening of diplomatic relations with the People's Republic of China in 1972, détente with the Soviet Union, and the creation of the Environmental Protection Agency. He resigned on August 9, 1974 — the only U.S. president ever to resign from office — amid the Watergate scandal, in which members of his administration were implicated in a break-in at Democratic Party headquarters and subsequent efforts to obstruct the investigation.
“The greatest honor history can bestow is the title of peacemaker.”
Gas prices during the Nixon presidency
- At inauguration
- $0.35
- 1969 avg.
- On leaving
- $0.55
- Aug 1974
- Change
- +59.2%
- +16.8% in 2026 dollars
- Average
- $0.38
- $3.09 in 2026 dollars
- Peak
- $0.56
- Jul 1974
- Low
- $0.35
- 1969 avg.
U.S. average, regular grade · 1969 avg. – Jul 1974
Before October 1973 only annual averages exist, so earlier months use that year's average.
Nominal U.S. national averages including taxes (EIA / BLS); regional prices vary widely. Compare all presidencies on Gas Prices by President.
Events during this term
- 1973 Arab oil embargo
Oil shock · Prices rose · Oct 1973 – Mar 1974
During this term: pump price $0.40 → $0.53 (+31.3%)