Who was the only President to ever resign from office?

Richard Nixon is recognized as the only President in U.S. history to resign from office, which he did on August 8, 1974, amid the Watergate scandal. His resignation was a significant moment in American political history, marking the first time a sitting President has stepped down before completing a term. The circumstances surrounding his resignation involved a series of revelations about the Watergate break-in and subsequent cover-up, which led to a loss of public support and a strong likelihood of impeachment. Nixon’s decision to resign came in an effort to preserve the integrity of the office and the country, acknowledging that further conflicts could be detrimental to the nation.

Other notable Presidents mentioned in the choices did not resign from office. Gerald Ford succeeded Nixon but took office after Nixon's resignation. Herbert Hoover and Jimmy Carter both completed their terms without resigning. These historical contexts highlight the uniqueness of Nixon's resignation and the profound impact of the events that led to it.