The son of Greek immigrants who grew up to rise in the political ranks to Vice President of the United States, but spent most of that rise in willful distance from his hardscrabble, immigrant roots, Spiro Agnew embodies the most ardent hopes of the American Dream — and its biggest fears. He grew up in the largely poor inner city, and moved to the more affluent suburbs once he entered the prime of his career. Later, during his campaigns, he angered the African American community by refusing to visit their ghettos, saying they are all alike, and by calling on Martin Luther King to denounce African American racists. Those were among the least of his sins.

On this day, October 10, in 1973, Spiro Agnew resigned from Vice Presidency, after pleading no contest to a charge of tax evasion. Agnew had acknowledged receiving more than $100,000 in bribes, and the fine he paid, $10,000 was just the taxable portion.

Agnew was controversial, but still very popular, a top-list candidate for presidency in the coming elections when word came down that an investigation into his affairs was started. Not long after, when it became apparent he would be charged. Agnew stepped down, showing that the American Dream can sometimes change people for the worse.