President Nixon was greeted both warmly and by boos when he arrived in Oklahoma in 1974.

Linda Lynn, The Oklahoman
The front page of The Sunday Oklahoman on May 12, 1974.
The front page of The Sunday Oklahoman on May 12, 1974.

In May 1974, President Richard Nixon was under extreme scrutiny and feeling the pressure of the ongoing Watergate scandal investigation.

But amid this turmoil, Nixon came to "God's Country" to give a commencement speech at Oklahoma State University and was welcomed by nearly 30,000 Oklahomans, though heckled by about 500.

During his visit to the state, he told a crowd in Enid he had "that old Okie spirit deep down inside ... we never give up."

The May 12, 1974, publication of The Sunday Oklahoman included a full page of photos from President Richard Nixon's visit to Oklahoma the previous day.
The May 12, 1974, publication of The Sunday Oklahoman included a full page of photos from President Richard Nixon's visit to Oklahoma the previous day.

While greeted at Vance Air Force Base with a sign that said, "God Bless Our President," an OSU graduate's sign said, "Erase the rest of Nixon's term."

Nixon resigned on Aug. 9, 1974.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Richard Nixon visited Oklahoma in May 1974, then resigned Aug. 9

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