With echoes of Nixon’s purge from two years prior—with reporting identifying Donald Rumsfeld as instigator although Gerald Ford later claimed sole responsibility for the firings and expressed deep regret of his cowardice by conceding to ultraconservatives and not insisting it would be himself with Nelson Rockefeller “whatever the consequences”—the major cabinet shakeup of the administration—to redress clashing personalities and legislative priorities and palace intrigues among the staff occurred on this day in 1975, 
with National Security Advisor Henry Kissinger ousted to be replaced by Brent Scowcroft (though remaining Secretary of State), CIA director William Colby swapped for George H W Bush, Chief of Staff Jame Schlesinger dismissed in favour of Rumsfeld’s protégé Dick Cheney, Rogers Morton out as the Secretary of Commerce for Elliot Richardson, whose resignation during the Saturday Night Massacre precipitated the crisis of confidence that compelled Nixon to step down, and the vice-president (see above) announcing he would no long seek reelection on the ticket. The personnel changes were effective the next morning on election day, an off-year but Ford was very present already on the ballots in anticipation of the 1976 presidential race.
one year ago: Kamala Harris and her avatar appear on SNL (with synchronopticæ) plus the Japanese instrument of surrender (1946)
thirteen years ago: footwear styles, the influence and legacy of Tetris plus competition for Germany’s national rail-carrier
fourteen years ago: The Tin Drum Song
fifteen years ago: legislative gridlock, US political theatre plus the Foundation X conspiracy
seventeen years ago: an unbirthday celebration
