This day in 1974: Nixon leaves, Ford arrives

President Obama is holding his news conference Friday in an historic room on an historic anniversary.

Thirty-nine years ago, in the East Room of the White House, Richard Nixon made his farewell address after resigning the presidency over the Watergate investigation -- a final act for a pivotal figure in American history.

That same day, Gerald Ford took the oath of office as the 38th president, a ceremony also held in the East Room.

(By the way, this is not an attempt to compare Obama to Nixon and Ford; the anniversary is just a coincidence.)

Nixon announced he was resigning in a prime time address on Aug. 8, 1974; he filed his actual resignation letter -- and gave a departing speech -- the next day.