ON THIS DAY - 9th JANUARY

On this day in 1913 Richard Nixon, President of the USA was born, in Yorba Linda, California.

During World War 2 Nixon was in the Navy and became a skilled poker player. It was estimated that he arrived home after the war with about $8,000 of winnings — around $115,000 today.  He was going to buy a house but instead decided to run for a congressional seat in California’s 12th District which he won.

His run for the House of Representatives in 1946 was partially bankrolled from these poker winnings.  It is estimated that 20% of his campaign fund came from poker.

Nixon’s political career lasted until 1974, when the Watergate scandal broke, which led to his eventual resignation.