Lyndon Baines Johnson Biography and Timeline

Visit to Saigon

Visits President Diem in Saigon & offers him America's support

Role range: 1960-1975

Central Intelligence Agency (CIA)

Approves action against North Vietnam by CIA supported South Vietnamese forces

Role range: 1960-1975 – 1963-1969

Plan 34A

Operation Plan 34A is announced at the Honolulu Conference. Approves action against North Vietnam by CIA supported South Vietnamese forces

Role range: 1960-1975 – 1963-1969

Succession

Sworn in as 36th President of the United States after the assassination of John F. Kennedy.

Role range: 1961-1969 – 1963-1969

Air Force One Security

Public announcement of Kennedy's death was delayed until Johnson was safely aboard Air Force One at Love Field.

Air Force One Television

After boarding Air Force One, Johnson watched television coverage as officials prepared for the transfer of presidential authority.

Andrews Air Force Base Arrival

Johnson arrived at Andrews Air Force Base aboard Air Force One after the flight from Dallas following President Kennedy's assassination.

Catholic Missal

Johnson placed his hand on a Catholic missal found aboard Air Force One while taking the presidential oath.

Cecil Stoughton Photograph

White House photographer Cecil Stoughton photographed Johnson taking the presidential oath with Lady Bird Johnson and Jacqueline Kennedy beside him.

Dallas Motorcade

Johnson traveled in the Dallas presidential motorcade behind President Kennedy's limousine when shots were fired in Dealey Plaza.

Departure from Dallas

After Johnson completed the presidential oath, Air Force One departed Dallas carrying the new President, the Kennedy party, and President Kennedy's casket.

First Presidential Statement

Johnson made brief televised remarks at Andrews Air Force Base, asking for the public's help as he assumed the presidency after Kennedy's death.

Government Continuity

Johnson used his first presidential remarks to reassure Americans and foreign governments that United States authority and policy remained intact after the assassination.

Jacqueline Kennedy at Oath

Johnson asked Jacqueline Kennedy to be present for the presidential oath after she arrived aboard Air Force One with President Kennedy's casket.

Parkland Memorial Hospital

Johnson remained under Secret Service protection at Parkland Memorial Hospital while President Kennedy was treated after the shooting.

Presidential Oath Wording

Johnson instructed aide Jack Valenti to obtain the precise wording of the presidential oath while preparations for the ceremony continued aboard Air Force One.

Presidential Oath

Judge Sarah T. Hughes administered the presidential oath to Lyndon Baines Johnson aboard Air Force One at Love Field.

Presidential Succession

Following President Kennedy's death, Johnson became President under constitutional succession and prepared to take the presidential oath before leaving Dallas.

Robert Kennedy Telephone Call

Johnson telephoned Attorney General Robert Kennedy about the presidential oath and received guidance that a federal judge in Dallas could administer it.

Sarah T. Hughes

Johnson requested that federal judge Sarah T. Hughes be located to administer the presidential oath aboard Air Force One.

Secret Service Protection

Secret Service agents placed Johnson under close protection after the shooting and moved him from Parkland Memorial Hospital toward Love Field.

Texas Political Trip

Vice President Lyndon Baines Johnson joined President Kennedy in Dallas during a Texas political trip intended to build support and reduce divisions ahead of the 1964 election.

Vice Presidential Vacancy

Johnson's succession to the presidency left the vice presidency vacant, because existing law provided no mechanism for appointing a replacement vice president.

Assassination of John Fitzgerald Kennedy

At 2:38 p.m. Johnson takes the oath of office on board Air Force One just before it departed Love Field

Role range: 1963-1969

Oath of Office

Johnson takes the oath of office on board Air Force One just before it departed Love Field

Role range: 1963-1969

Oath

At 2:38 p.m. Johnson takes the oath of office on board Air Force One just before it departed Love Field

Role range: 1963-1969

Kennedy Death Notification at Parkland

Was informed at approximately 1:20 p.m. while at Parkland Hospital that President Kennedy was dead.

Kennedy Funeral Reception

Johnson received foreign leaders in Washington during diplomatic events and receptions associated with President Kennedy's funeral.

NSAM 273

Launches operation NSAM 273

Role range: 1960-1975 – 1963-1969

Address to Congress

Addresses a joint session of Congress and asks lawmakers to carry forward John F. Kennedy’s legislative programme.

Role range: 1963-1969

Civil Rights Legislation

Johnson urged Congress to honor Kennedy's memory by securing the earliest possible passage of the civil rights bill Kennedy had championed.

Decisive Government Action

Johnson told Congress that the government must overcome uncertainty and delay after Kennedy's death and demonstrate its capacity for decisive action.

Foreign Policy Continuity

Johnson pledged that the United States would maintain its international commitments and continue seeking peace while preserving national strength.

Joint Session of Congress

Johnson addressed a joint session of Congress five days after Kennedy's assassination and asked legislators and the nation for their help.

Kennedy Legacy

Johnson told Congress that Kennedy's ideas and ideals should be translated into effective action rather than halted by the assassination.

Let Us Continue

Johnson used the phrase "let us continue" to frame his commitment to carry forward the national program begun under President Kennedy.

National Unity

Johnson appealed for national unity after the assassination and said Americans could derive strength rather than weakness from their differences.

Opposition to Extremism

Johnson urged Americans to reject political fanaticism, bitterness, bigotry, hatred, and violence in the aftermath of Kennedy's assassination.

Tax Bill

Johnson called for early passage of Kennedy's pending tax bill, arguing that continuing the measure would advance the late President's economic program.

Earl Warren Appointment

Johnson appointed Chief Justice Earl Warren to chair the commission investigating President Kennedy's assassination.