Lyndon Baines Johnson Biography

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

After Kennedy's assassination, Johnson requested that his longtime pilot James Cross qualify to fly the Boeing 707 used as the main presidential aircraft.

Approves action against North Vietnam by CIA supported South Vietnamese forces

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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

Launches operation NSAM 273

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The first official investigation of the Kennedy assassination is established by President Johnson, a week after the assassination

Establishes the President's Commission on the Assassination of President Kennedy, known as the Warren Commission.

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

Johnson issued Executive Order 11130 establishing the presidential commission that became known as the Warren Commission.

Johnson's executive order directed federal departments and agencies to provide the Warren Commission with services, information, and assistance needed for its investigation.

Johnson directed the Warren Commission to examine both Kennedy's assassination and the subsequent killing of accused assassin Lee Harvey Oswald.

Johnson created the President's Commission on the Assassination of President Kennedy to investigate the killing and report its conclusions to him.

Johnson appointed seven members to the Warren Commission, including legislators from both parties, former CIA Director Allen Dulles, and diplomat John J. McCloy.

Johnson's Warren Commission received statutory authority to subpoena witnesses and obtain evidence when Congress enacted Public Law 88-202.

Just before the 1964 presidential election, President Johnson orders the Warren Commission documentation to be sealed against public availability for 75 years (until 2039)

Sends a U.S. naval force towards Brazil to prevent a leftist takeover

A television commercial called Daisy, promotes Democrat Lyndon Johnson's presidential candidacy, invoking the fear of a nuclear war and is an element in Johnson's subsequent election

Just before the 1964 presidential election, President Johnson orders the Warren Commission documentation to be sealed against public availability for 75 years (until 2039)

Sends a U.S. naval force towards Brazil to prevent a leftist takeover

Just before the 1964 presidential election, President Johnson orders the Warren Commission documentation to be sealed against public availability for 75

Two months after the publication of its 888-page report, the Commission published twenty-six volumes of supporting documents, including the testimony or depositions of 552 witnesses and more than 3,100 exhibits. All of the Warren Commission's records are transferred to the National Archives. Later investigations agree with the Warren Commission's conclusion

that two shots struck JFK from the rear: the 1968 panel set by Attorney General Ramsey Clark, the 1975 Rockefeller Commission, and the 1978-79 House Select Committee on Assassinations.

years (until 2039)

Johnson declares war on poverty

1st Government report regarding dangers of smoking is issued by Luther Terry

1st Government report regarding dangers of smoking is issued by Luther Terry

Welcomes ratification of the Twenty-Fourth Amendment abolishing poll taxes in federal elections.

Delivers the University of Michigan speech setting out the Great Society programme.

Signs the Civil Rights Act of 1964, prohibiting discrimination in public accommodations, employment and federally assisted programs.

Signs the Civil Rights Act of 1964, prohibiting discrimination in public accommodations, employment and federally assisted programs.

Signs the Urban Mass Transportation Act of 1964, expanding federal support for urban public transit.

USS Turner Joy & Maddox report they have been attacked by North Vietnamese torpedo boats. The Tonkin Gulf incident is used to escalate the war in Vietnam. Claims USS Maddox was attacked 30 miles offsore not 13 miles claimed by North Vietnam. A clash that triggers U.S. bombing against North Vietnam

Orders retaliatory air strikes against North Vietnamese targets after reports of attacks on U.S. destroyers in the Gulf of Tonkin.

Enables Johnson to use armed force to help SEATO members to "defend their freedom". Congress authorizes "measures to repel any armed attack against forces of the US"

The Act creates programmes for job training, community action and poverty reduction.

Signs the Economic Opportunity Act, creating the Office of Economic Opportunity and major War on Poverty programmes.

Signs the Food Stamp Act of 1964, making the food stamp programme permanent.

Signs the Wilderness Act, creating the National Wilderness Preservation System.

A television commercial called Daisy, promotes Democratic candidate Lyndon Johnson's presidential candidacy, invoking the fear of a nuclear war and is an element in Johnson's subsequent election

Johnson receives the Warren Commission report on the assassination of President Kennedy.

The 889-page final report is presented to President Johnson on September 24, 1964. Concludes that Lee Harvey Oswald acted alone in the killing of Kennedy and the wounding of Texas Governor John Connally

Johnson received the Warren Commission's final report on September 24, 1964, after the commission completed its investigation of President Kennedy's assassination.

The Warren Report is made public. The Warren Report concludes that President Kennedy was assassinated by Lee Harvey Oswald and that Oswald acted entirely alone and also concludes that Jack Ruby also acted alone when he killed Oswald two days later

All of the Warren Commission's records are transferred to the National Archives

Two months after the publication of its 888-page report, the Commission published twenty-six volumes of supporting documents, including the testimony or depositions of 552 witnesses and more than 3,100 exhibits. All of the Warren Commission's records are transferred to the National Archives

Wins the presidential election against Barry Goldwater in a landslide.

Approves the bombing of communist routes in Southern Laos

The Voting Rights Act is passed

34 die during demonstrations at Watts, a black area of Los Angeles

The USA announces it will only intervene if there is a threat of Communist takeover

Introduces War on Poverty

The Voting Rights Act is passed

The USA announces it will only intervene if there is a threat of Communist takeover

The Voting Rights Act is passed

The Viet Cong attack a U.S. installation, orders U.S. evacuation & reprisals

The Voting Rights Act is passed

Introduces War on Poverty

Operation Game Warden begins U.S. Navy river patrols on South Vietnam's 3000 nautical miles of inland waterways

Uses the State of the Union address to press Congress for Great Society legislation.

Inaugurated President of the USA

Inaugurated President of the USA

Declares, "We can never again stand aside, prideful in isolation. Terrific dangers & troubles that we once called foreign now constantly live among us

General Khanh seizes full control of South Vietnam's Government

NSA Bundy & Defense Secretary McNamara send a memo to Johnson stating America's military involvement is Vietnam failing. Bundy & McNamara advise Johnson the U.S. has reached a fork in the road in Vietnam & must either soon escalate or withdraw

Johnson urged Congress to establish clearer constitutional procedures for presidential disability and for filling a vacancy in the vice presidency.

Prime Minister Kosygin is pressured by the North Vietnamese to provide unlimited military aid to counter the American "aggression"

Opinion polls shortly after the bombing indicate a 70 percent approval rating for the President and an 80 percent approval of U.S. military involvement

Viet Cong guerrillas attack the U.S. compound at Pleiku in the Central Highlands, killing 8 Americans, wounding 126 & destroying 10 aircraft

Johnson approves Operation Flaming Dart, the bombing of a North Vietnamese army camp near Dong Hoi

Johnson approves Operation Flaming Dart, the bombing of a North Vietnamese army camp near Dong Hoi

U.S. air attacks take place on bases at Dong Hoi in retaliation for Pleiku. The beginning of limited offensive attacks on military targets in North Vietnam

President Johnson authorizes Operation Rolling Thunder

General Khanh finally ousted from power and a new military/civilian Government installed, led by Dr. Phan Huy Quat

The 1st air strikes against the Ho Chi Minh trail

Scheduled to last 8 weeks, Rolling Thunder will continue for 3 yrs. Operation Rolling Thunder begins as over 100 American fighter-bombers attack targets in North Vietnam

Faces national outrage after the bridge attack.

The 9th Marine Expeditionary Brigade are the 1st U.S. ground combat force in Vietnam

Johnson authorizes the use of Napalm, a petroleum based anti-personnel bomb that showers hundreds of explosive pellets upon impact

The 1st U.S. combat troops arrive in Vietnam as 3500 Marines land at China Beach to defend the American air base at Da Nang

Signs the Appalachian Regional Development Act, creating a regional development programme for Appalachia.

Joint effort between the U.S. Navy & South Vietnamese Navy to disrupt North Vietnamese sea routes used to funnel supplies into the South. 1st day of Operation-Market Time, results in the North Vietnamese shifting to the more difficult land route along the Ho Chi Minh trail

Calls for voting rights legislation after Selma.

Addresses Congress after Selma and calls for voting rights legislation, declaring “We shall overcome.”

Viet Cong terrorists bomb the U.S. embassy in Saigon

The decision to allow offensive operations is kept secret from the American press & public for 2 months. President Johnson authorizes sending 2 more Marine battalions & up to 20,000 logistical personnel to Vietnam

Delivers "Peace Without Conquest" Speech offering Hanoi "unconditional discussions" to stop the war in return for massive modernization of Vietnam

Signs the Elementary and Secondary Education Act near his former school in Stonewall, Texas.

McNamara, Westmoreland, Wheeler, William Bundy & Ambassador Taylor recommend to the President sending another 40,000 combat soldiers

President Johnson raises America's combat strength in Vietnam to more than 60,000

The 1st U.S. Army combat troops, 3500 men of the 173rd Airborne Brigade, arrive in Vietnam

The 1st bombing pause is announced by the U.S. in the hope that Hanoi will now negotiate

The Viet Cong attack the U.S. special forces camp in Phuoc Long

Announces Project Head Start as an early childhood education programme within the War on Poverty.

U.S. bombing of North Vietnam resumes

Announces on TV, "We will stand in Vietnam"

Signs the Social Security Amendments creating Medicare and Medicaid.

Johnson signs legislation creating federal health-insurance programmes for elderly and low-income Americans.

Signs the Voting Rights Act after the Selma campaign.

Signs the Voting Rights Act of 1965, outlawing discriminatory voting practices including literacy tests.

1st major U.S. ground operation in Vietnam as U.S. Marines wage a preemptive strike against 1500 Viet Cong planning to assault the U.S. airfield at Chu Lai

1st major U.S. ground operation in Vietnam as U.S. Marines wage a preemptive strike against 1500 Viet Cong planning to assault the U.S. airfield at Chu Lai

President Johnson signs a law criminalizing draft card burning, leads to widespread demonstrations

President Johnson signs a law criminalizing draft card burning

President Johnson signs a law criminalizing draft card burning, leads to widespread demonstrations

Signs legislation creating the National Endowment for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Humanities.

The Act replaces national-origin quotas with family and employment-based immigration priorities.

Signs the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965 at Liberty Island, ending the national origins quota system.

Anti-war rallies occur in 40 U.S. cities and in international cities including London & Rome

1st major battle of the Vietnam War between the United States Army and the People's Army of Vietnam (PAVN)

North Vietnamese Army troops attack the U.S. Special Forces camp at Plei Me in a prelude to the Battle of Ia Ia Drang. 1st major battle of the Vietnam War between the United States Army and the People's Army of Vietnam (PAVN)

North Vietnamese Army troops attack the U.S. Special Forces camp at Plei Me in a prelude to the Battle of Ia Ia Drang

Signs the Higher Education Act at Southwest Texas State College, expanding federal aid for colleges and students.

Announces a 36 hr cease-fire commencing Christmas eve to negotiate with North Vietnam

Agrees to extend the cease-fire indefinitely to promote negotiations with North Vietnam

Signs the Freedom of Information Act, strengthening public access to federal records.

Signs the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act to establish federal automobile safety standards.

Signs the Child Nutrition Act, expanding federal support for school meals and child nutrition programmes.

Signs the Department of Transportation Act, creating the U.S. Department of Transportation.

Signs the National Historic Preservation Act, creating a national framework for protecting historic places.

The Stennis Committee criticizes Johnson for not increasing the bombing

Advises Foreign Minister Abba Eban not to make a pre-emptive strike against Egypt. Diplomatic relations are broken with Iraq, resumed 1984

Bombing against North Vietnam escalates to military bases

The Stennis Committee criticizes Johnson for not increasing the bombing

The United States signs the Outer Space Treaty, which prohibits placing nuclear weapons in orbit or on celestial bodies.

The 18 nation disarmament conference re-opens in Geneva

The U.S. & South Vietnamese forces begin Operation Junction City

Johnson marked ratification of the Twenty-fifth Amendment, which clarified presidential succession and created a procedure for filling a vacant vice presidency.

The U.S. accidentally bombs Lang Vei, 80 civilians are killed

Stalin's daughter, Svetlana Alliluyeva, requests asylum at the U.S. Embassy

Over 100,000 in New York & over 50,000 in San Francisco demonstrate against the War

Advises Foreign Minister Abba Eban not to make a pre-emptive strike against Egypt

Turns down the Joint Chiefs of Staffs request for more troops

Nominates Thurgood Marshall to the Supreme Court, leading to the first African American justice.

3 month diplomacy with North Vietnam leading to a meeting between the U.S. & Hanoi in 1968

3 month diplomacy with North Vietnam leading to a meeting between the U.S. & Hanoi in 1968

The Outer Space Treaty enters into force, creating binding restrictions on nuclear weapons in outer space.

Signs the Public Broadcasting Act, creating the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.

Blunts North Vietnam's penetration into the Southern Highlands

Nov 19-Nov 23, The People's Army, PAVN, is defeated by the US

Nov 19-Nov 23, The People's Army, PAVN, is defeated by the US

Signs the Air Quality Act of 1967, expanding federal air-pollution authority.

Signs the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, prohibiting age discrimination against many older workers.

Announces the cessation of bombing North of the 19th parallel in Vietnam

The U.S. has lost over 31,000 lives & are losing 300 per week

The Tet Offensive results in Johnson having to bow out of the Presidential elections

Sensors are dropped on the Ho Chi Minh Trail, activity triggers off bombing raids

By the end of 1968 550,000 are stationed in Vietnam

Establishes the Senior Interdepartmental Group for high officials below cabinet level

The Tet offensive is contained by the U.S. at the cost of 165,000 civilian lives. The North Vietnamese offensive is repelled but this leads to anti-war protests. The Tet Offensive results in Johnson having to bow out of the Presidential elections. Cities such as Kontum, My Tho, Ben Tre & Hue are destroyed during fighting

The North Koreans capture USS Pueblo, Johnson sends 26 more B-52s to the Pacific

Johnson calls for the non-conversion of the U.S. dollar

At a White House conference on crime, singer and actress Eartha Kitt denounces the Vietnam War to Lady Bird Johnson while attending a "ladies lunch"

Battle of Khe Sanh: one of the most publicized and controversial battles of the war begins, ending on April 8

North Korea seizes the USS Pueblo, claiming the ship violated its territorial waters while spying

North Korea seizes the USS Pueblo, claiming the ship violated its territorial waters while spying

An offensive launched by the North Vietnamese to overthrow the South Vietnamese Government

Civil rights disturbances occur at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Civil rights disturbances occur at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

A civil rights protest staged at a white-only bowling alley in Orangeburg, South Carolina is broken up by highway patrolmen; 3 college students are killed

A civil rights protest staged at a white-only bowling alley in Orangeburg, South Carolina is broken up by highway patrolmen; 3 college students are killed

The Florida Education Association (FEA) initiates a mass resignation of teachers to protest state funding of education, in effect, the first statewide teachers strike in the United States

The Tet offensive is contained by the U.S. at the cost of 165,000 civilian lives. The North Vietnamese offensive is repelled but this leads to anti-war protests

President Lyndon B. Johnson mandates that all computers purchased by the federal Government support the ASCII character encoding

President Lyndon B. Johnson mandates that all computers purchased by the federal Government support the ASCII character encoding

U.S. President Lyndon B. Johnson edges out antiwar candidate Eugene J. McCarthy in the New Hampshire Democratic primary, a vote which highlights the deep divisions in the country, as well as the party, over Vietnam

A demonstration in London's Grosvenor Square against U.S. involvement in the Vietnam War leads to violence; 91 people are injured, 200 demonstrators arrested

Central banks end London Gold Pool operations and establish a two-tier gold market.

The Congress of the United States repeals the requirement for a gold reserve to back U.S. currency

Johnson signs legislation eliminating statutory gold reserve requirements for United States and Federal Reserve notes.

Students at Howard University signal a new era of militant student activism on college campuses in the US, students stage rallies, protests and a 5-day sit-in, laying siege to the administration building, shutting down the university

Students at Howard University signal a new era of militant student activism on college campuses in the US, students stage rallies, protests and a 5-day sit-in, laying siege to the administration building, shutting down the university

In ongoing campus unrest, Howard University students protesting the Vietnam War, the ROTC program on campus and the draft, confront Gen. Lewis Hershey, then head of the U.S. Selective Service System

In ongoing campus unrest, Howard University students protesting the Vietnam War, the ROTC program on campus and the draft, confront Gen. Lewis Hershey, then head of the U.S. Selective Service System

Announces cessation of bombing north of the Twentieth parallel to negotiate a solution

President Johnson announces he will not seek re-election

Announces decision to retire

Operation Pegasus begins to relieve the Marine base at Khe Sanh.

Operation Pegasus begins to relieve the Marine base at Khe Sanh.

Five days later, President Lyndon B. Johnson declares a national day of mourning for the lost civil rights leader

The Viet Cong try to capture a 6,000 man U.S. base with a force of 40,000. The Viet Cong lose 10,000 & are defeated

Over 100,000 begin an offensive against communist forces in 11 provinces around Saigon

Civil Rights Bill, signs a bill for open housing

Civil Rights Bill, signs a bill for open housing

Signs the Civil Rights Act of 1968, including the Fair Housing Act.

Civil Rights Bill, signs a bill for open housing

Civil Rights Bill, signs a bill for open housing

Peace talks begin in Paris with North Vietnamese officials

The Act requires standard disclosure of major consumer-credit costs and terms.

The Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty opens for signature in Washington, London and Moscow.

Signs the Treaty announcing talks are to take place on nuclear strategic arms limitation

Says will attend summit with Kosygin on Sept 30th, aborted by Soviet invasion of Czech

Signs the Gun Control Act of 1968 after the assassinations of Martin Luther King Jr. and Robert F. Kennedy.

Announces negotiations will begin, 5 days before the presidential election. Announces bombing in North Vietnam will stop

Announces negotiations will begin, 5 days before the presidential election

Announces negotiations will begin, 5 days before the presidential election

Calls a complete halt to the bombing of North Vietnam during diplomatic talks

Calls a complete halt to the bombing of North Vietnam during diplomatic talks

Brought to a halt, emphasis is placed on the trail network in Laos

Congratulates the Apollo 8 crew during the first crewed mission to orbit the Moon.

Death of Lyndon B Johnson