Carl Bernstein

Washington Post reporter Carl Bernstein's investigation into a seemingly innocuous 1972 break-in at the Watergate office complex in Washington D.C. led to the discovery of one of the most famous political scandals in American history and the toppling of Richard M. Nixon's presidency. With fellow reporter Bob Woodward, Bernstein uncovered the connection between Nixon's re-election campaign and a quintet of burglars caught attempting to wiretap the Democratic National Committee headquarters at the Watergate. As detailed in their book All the President's Men (1976), which became a major motion picture that same year, Bernstein and Woodward's efforts spurred the Senate and House to launch their own investigations into the affair, which resulted in Nixon's resignation and jail terms for many of his staff. Bernstein would later enjoy success as a reporter and bureau chief for ABC News as well as an author and biographer. But his work on the Watergate scandal remained his most significant journalistic effort - one that not only upheld the profession's commitment to honesty and fair reporting, but that also helped to change the course of American history.