The 1973 TIME man of the year was Judge John Sirica, better known as the “Watergate judge.” Sirica refused to believe that Watergate burglars acted alone; his perseverance led to Nixon’s resignation.

The 1973 TIME man of the year was Judge John Sirica, better known as the “Watergate judge.” Sirica refused to believe that Watergate burglars acted alone; his perseverance led to Nixon’s resignation.