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As the rest of America and Americanophiles fix their eyes on Trump and Harris it’s almost gone unnoticed that it’s half a century today since the fall of Richard Nixon and 50 years of Gates.

The resignation of the 37th President of the United States was one of those stop-in-your-tracks moments then.,

But time, forgiveness, David Frost’s probings, and future presidents outdoing him since has seen us all move on.

Read all about it: All The President’s Men

What has become a constant, without I suspect many knowing, why is the use of the suffix Gate.

All of which have been affixed to someone’s name or an institution or form of misbehaviour to denote misbehaviour.

Well, Watergate was the building which housed Democratic offices which were broken into.

By agents working for Nixon’s Republican party as part of the campaign to re-elect the President.

Gates galore

So, there you are that’ll save you the two and a half hours trying to figure out what’s going on in All The President’s Men.

But seriously, do watch it, and I do and every time and it reconfirms my desire to do this journalist scribbling thing.

In the hope that one day, even now I’m 59, that I could do a Woodward & Bernstein.

And so we have had Vietgate, Whitewatergate, Monicagate, Camillagate, Emailgate, Garglegate against Boozing Brian Cowen, the-then Irish Taoiseach.

Squidgygate against Princess Diana, Officegate directed at former Scottish First Minister Henry McLeish.

And our favourite Gategate when Tory MP Andrew Mitchell had a go at a police officer at the gate to Downing Street.

A history of Nixons and Kennedys

Best of enemies: Kennedy neighbours Watergate

The original Watergate is still there and for political anoraks like yours truly it was always going to be on the list of must-visit sites in the endlessly-enjoyable American capital.

It was refreshing to see that little had changed since Nixon’s day.

The complex still includes three luxury apartment buildings, the hotel/office building, and two office buildings.

What did surprise me as I hadn’t done all my homework is that it sits next to the Kennedy Center.

John F Kennedy being his nemesis back in the 1960 Presidential run-off.

Read all about it in the library

Seat of power: The 48th President of America: In Washington DC

Only that perceptions can be misleading and when I then met the good folk who run the Richard Nixon Library in California at the American Travel Fair.

I was told how the two families became great friends in latter years.

And that Pat Nixon became First Lady one of the first people she invited was Jackie.

As for Richard Nixon, he returned to the international stage in later life as an unofficial ambassador and consultant.

Much of it under the radar while others were affixed to the surname given to his greatest indiscretion… Richard Nixon and 50 years of Gates.

At the heart of it: Watergate Hotel by the banks of the Potomac

Of course, this being America, everything is an opportunity for promotion and the Watergate Hotel on the banks of the Potomac makes the most of his moment of notoriety.

It’s a five-star where you can stay from €299 per night.

And again we always advise to fly out of Dublin with Aer Lingus with pre-clearance, from €232.77.

And by rights I should be clinking glasses with Washington DC pals today, Presidents Day, and exclaiming Hail Presidente.

Those very same chums whose friendship I forged seven years ago at the American Travel Fair.

And who were back over this side of the pond as Capital Region hit my old stomping ground of Dublin.

The Capital Region is made up of two states, Maryland and Virginia.

And the District of Colombia which has Washington at its heart.

Now for those of us who haven’t the opportunity to visit all 50 states (I’ve only done half).

Then the Capital Region is the US in miniature.

With liberal Maryland in the North and Virginia in the Southern heartland.

With Washington smack bang in the middle.

At the heart of it all

The New President of America: In Washington DC

That Washington is the centre from which everything branches off is as it should be.

As George remains the embodiment of the nation.

A proud Virginian, and you can visit his estate.

Across the Potomac River in Mount Vernon, his presence looms large in his titular city.

With the Washington Monument obelisk, his favoured choice of a memorial.

In preference to a gaudy horse-drawn statue proposed by his friend Lafayette.

That today is the point on the calendar when Americans mark their presidents is because of Washington.

The Monday nearest his birthday of February 22 designated the day to commemorate all presidents.

City of presidents

Honest Jim: And Honest Abe in Washington

That Americans hold the office of President in such high esteem could best be compared to a British obsession with royalty.

Only, of course, the Brits have their monarchs foisted on them.

Now while you can visit presidential libraries across the country.

For a celebration of the Pres then DC is well, Presidential then DC is well, Presidential.

Now the White House is where every Pres has lived.

Since Washington’s Vice-Pres stepped into his shoes.

And you can channel your inner Pres by visiting although it’s not as easy as it used to be… contact your embassy.

King of the Hill

Capitol idea: On the hill in Washington DC

The Hill is where all the business of the town, the states, the world get done.

And you get a sense of history too at the US Capitol.

Along the National Mall at the other end of the Lincoln Memorial.

While for the mawkish you can stay at the Watergate Hotel, next to the Kennedy Center.

And reflect that despite being bitter political foes Pat Nixon reached out to Jackie Kennedy after JFK was assassinated.