The Presidential Timeline

Early Life and Career

August 27, 1908 - November 22, 1963

Lyndon B. Johnson was born near Stonewall, Texas, on August 27, 1908, to Sam Ealy Johnson, Jr., and Rebekah Baines Johnson. Growing up on the edge of poverty, he worked his way through Southwest Texas State Teachers College (now Texas State University) in San Marcos. Between his second and third year of college, Johnson taught at a Mexican-American school in Cotulla, Texas. In 1931, Johnson left a teaching position in Houston, Texas, to serve in Washington as secretary to Texas Congressman Richard Kleberg. On a trip back to Austin, he met Claudia Alta “Lady Bird” Taylor; and two months later, on November 17, 1934, they married in San Antonio. The couple had two daughters, Lynda Bird and Luci Baines.

In 1935, Johnson returned to Texas as State Director of the National Youth Administration (NYA), which provided training for unemployed youth and part-time employment for needy students. In 1937, he was elected to the Tenth Congressional District, and he served six terms in the U.S. House of Representatives. As a Congressman he fought hard for rural electrification, public housing and elimination of government waste. After a failed bid for the Senate in 1941, Johnson was elected to the Senate in 1948, and he went on to become Senate Minority Leader in 1953 and Majority Leader in 1955. With rare skill, he obtained passage of a number of key Eisenhower measures, including the Civil Rights Act of 1957, the National Aeronautics and Space Act of 1958 and the National Defense Education Act of 1958.

In the 1960 presidential campaign, Johnson, as John F. Kennedy’s running mate, was elected Vice President. President Kennedy sent Johnson on many missions around the world, including a trip to Vietnam in May 1961. On November 22, 1963, John F. Kennedy was assassinated, and Johnson was sworn in as the thirty-sixth President.

August 27, 1908

Lyndon Baines Johnson (LBJ) is born at Stonewall, Texas, to Sam Ealy Johnson, Jr., and Rebekah Baines Johnson.

1912

Johnson attends Junction School at age four.

September 1913

Johnson attends public schools in Johnson City and graduates from Johnson City High School.

1924

Johnson works odd jobs in California and Texas.

March 21, 1927

Johnson attends and graduates from Southwest Texas State Teachers College (now Texas State University) at San Marcos, Texas.

September 1928

Johnson serves as principal and teacher at Welhausen School in Cotulla, Texas.

November 29, 1931

Johnson serves as secretary to Congressman Richard Kleberg.

November 17, 1934

Johnson marries Claudia Alta “Lady Bird” Taylor.

July 25, 1935

Johnson serves as Texas Director of the National Youth Administration.

May 13, 1937

Johnson serves as U.S. Representative for the 10th Congressional District of Texas.

June 28, 1941

W. Lee “Pappy” O'Daniel narrowly defeats Johnson in special election for the U.S. Senate.

December 9, 1941

Johnson serves on active duty in the U.S. Navy and is awarded the Silver Star. While he serves overseas, Lady Bird Johnson runs the Congressional office.

March 19, 1944

Daughter Lynda Bird Johnson is born.

July 2, 1947

Daughter Luci Baines Johnson is born.

November 2, 1948

Johnson defeats Republican candidate Jack Porter in the general election to win the Senate seat vacated by Senator W. Lee “Pappy” O'Daniel. During the dramatic 1948 campaign, he travels by “newfangled” helicopter all over Texas. Earlier, he defeated Coke Stevenson to win the Democratic primary by 87 votes and earned the nickname "Landslide Lyndon.”

January 3, 1949

Johnson serves as U.S. Senator from Texas.

January 3, 1953

Johnson is elected Minority Leader of the Senate.

January 5, 1955

Johnson is elected Majority Leader of the Senate.

July 2, 1955

Johnson suffers a near-fatal heart attack.

September 9, 1957

President Eisenhower signs the Civil Rights Act of 1957, the first civil rights bill in 82 years. The new act establishes the Civil Rights Division of the Justice Department and empowers federal prosecutors to obtain court injunctions against interference with the right to vote. It also establishes a Federal Civil Rights Commission with authority to investigate discriminatory conditions and recommend corrective measures. Senate Majority Leader Johnson guides the legislation through the Senate.

October 4, 1957

Johnson, as Chairman of the Senate Preparedness Investigating Subcommittee, begins hearings on the American space program after the launch of the Russian satellite, Sputnik.

July 29, 1958

President Eisenhower signs the National Aeronautics and Space Act of 1958, establishing the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and making it responsible for the American civilian space program. Senate Majority Leader Johnson guided the legislation through the Senate.

July 14, 1960

Johnson accepts the nomination as John F. Kennedy’s running mate for Vice President of the United States at the Democratic National Convention.

November 8, 1960

John F. Kennedy is elected thirty-fifth President and Johnson is elected Vice President, defeating Richard M. Nixon and his running mate, Henry Cabot Lodge.

January 20, 1961

Johnson serves as Vice President of the United States.

April 1961

Johnson becomes chairman of the Space Council and advises John F. Kennedy that a U.S. manned mission to the moon is feasible.

May 11, 1961

Johnson, as John F. Kennedy’s representative, visits South Vietnam as part of an Asian tour.

August 19, 1961

After construction begins on the Berlin Wall, Johnson visits Berlin at John F. Kennedy’s request.

October 1962

Cuban Missile Crisis; Johnson advises John F. Kennedy as part of the Executive Committee of the National Security Council (ExCom).

Presidency

November 22, 1963 - January 20, 1969

While reassuring an anxious nation, Johnson’s first actions were to obtain enactment of the measures President Kennedy had been urging at the time of his death – a new civil rights bill and a tax cut. Johnson also called for the enactment of the Poverty Program, and he urged the nation “to build a great society, a place where the meaning of man’s life matches the marvels of man’s labor.” In November 1964, Johnson defeated Barry Goldwater in the presidential election, winning 61 percent of the vote, the widest popular margin in American history.

Johnson’s “Great Society” program included aid to education, Medicare, urban renewal, beautification, conservation, development of depressed regions, control and prevention of crime and delinquency and removal of obstacles to the right to vote. Congress rapidly enacted Johnson’s recommendations. On the global front, both the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and the Outer Space Treaty were negotiated and signed during his administration. Under Johnson, the country made spectacular explorations of space including the successful moon orbit in December 1968. He would live to witness the launch of Apollo 11 and the U.S. astronauts landing on the moon in July 1969.

Two overriding crises gained momentum after 1965: civil unrest and the war in Vietnam. On the home front, unrest and rioting erupted in cities throughout the country, fueled by continuing discrimination and poverty. The other crisis arose from Vietnam. Despite Johnson’s efforts to end Communist aggression and achieve a settlement, fighting continued. Controversy over the war had become acute by the end of March 1968, when, in a televised address to the nation, Johnson limited the bombing of North Vietnam in order to initiate negotiations. At the same time, he announced he would not seek re-election in order to devote his energies to domestic and foreign programs.

November 22, 1963

Johnson becomes the thirty-sixth President of the United States after the assassination of John F. Kennedy. He is sworn in aboard Air Force One.

November 27, 1963

Johnson delivers an address before a joint session of the Congress. He leads the Congress in mourning the death of President Kennedy by beginning his speech, “All I have I would have given gladly not to be standing here today.”

November 29, 1963

Johnson signs an Executive Order establishing the Warren Commission to investigate the assassination of President Kennedy.

January 9, 1964

Panamanian President Robert Chiari breaks diplomatic relations with the U.S. after riots erupt when U.S. students raise the American flag in the Canal Zone. After tensions subside, LBJ begins efforts to renegotiate the Panama Canal Treaty; diplomatic relations are restored on April 3.

February 6, 1964

Cuban President Fidel Castro cuts the water supply to the U.S. naval base at Guantanamo to protest U.S. seizure of Cuban fishing boats. Johnson takes steps to give the base a self-sufficient supply of water and labor.

May 22, 1964

Johnson delivers the “Great Society” speech at the University of Michigan, outlining his legislative agenda for widespread social reform.

July 2, 1964

Johnson signs the Civil Rights Act of 1964, outlawing discrimination based on race, color, national origin, religion or sex, in public accommodations such as hotels, theaters, parks, restaurants and other public places. The act also authorizes the withdrawal of Federal funds from programs that practice discrimination. It discourages job discrimination through the creation of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. It also authorizes the attorney general to bring lawsuits against schools practicing segregation. It makes the Commission on Civil Rights a permanent organization.

August 2, 1964

Incidents in the Gulf of Tonkin off the coast of Vietnam lead to passage of the Southeast Asia Resolution, also known as the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution.

August 20, 1964

Johnson signs the Economic Opportunity Act in a step toward fighting the “War on Poverty.”

August 27, 1964

Johnson accepts nomination as candidate for President of the United States at the Democratic National Convention; Hubert Humphrey accepts the Vice Presidential nomination.

August 31, 1964

Johnson signs the Food Stamp Act, establishing the Federal food stamp program to help poor families improve their diet.

September 3, 1964

Johnson signs the Wilderness Act, which preserves 9,200,000 acres as a Federal wilderness system.

October 6, 1964

Mrs. Johnson makes a four-day, 1,682-mile “Whistle Stop” campaign trip through the South aboard the “Lady Bird Special” train. The trip ends in New Orleans, where she is met by Johnson.

November 3, 1964

Johnson is elected President of the United States, defeating Barry Goldwater; Hubert Humphrey is elected Vice President.

January 20, 1965

Johnson takes the Oath of Office as President of the United States.

February 21, 1965

Malcolm X is assassinated.

March 7, 1965

Civil rights marchers seeking the right to register to vote are attacked by law enforcement officers on “Bloody Sunday” at the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Alabama.

March 15, 1965

Johnson delivers “The American Promise” speech (Voting Rights Message) before Congress, asking for a bill insuring the right of all Americans to vote.

April 7, 1965

Johnson delivers “Peace Without Conquest” speech at Johns Hopkins University, calling for the economic development of Southeast Asia.

April 7, 1965

Johnson postpones scheduled visits to the U.S. by President Ayub of Pakistan and Prime Minister Shastri of India out of concern that the visits might jeopardize passage of foreign assistance legislation.

April 11, 1965

Johnson signs the Elementary and Secondary Education Act in front of Junction School, the school he attended in 1912. The act authorizes federal aid to school districts with low income families.

April 28, 1965

Johnson sends U.S. forces to the Dominican Republic following the outbreak of a rebellion in that country.

May 18, 1965

Project Head Start is launched. Mrs. Johnson serves as honorary chair of the program designed to give underprivileged children a “head start” before beginning first grade.

June 9, 1965

Johnson, while approving pre-authorized loans, halts future foreign aid authorizations to India and Pakistan without Presidential approval and calls for a reexamination of foreign aid.

July 28, 1965

Johnson orders an increase in the number of troops in Vietnam from 75,000 to 125,000.

July 30, 1965

Johnson signs the Social Security Amendments of 1965 in a ceremony at the Harry S. Truman Library. The amendments establish Medicare and Medicaid, health insurance programs for the elderly and low income individuals and families.

August 6, 1965

Johnson signs the Voting Rights Act, which empowers the Federal government to oversee voter registration and elections, outlaws discriminatory literacy tests and expands voting rights for non-English speaking Americans.

August 11, 1965

More than 30 people are killed and over 800 injured during six days of rioting in the predominantly African-American Watts section of Los Angeles, California. Over 15,000 National Guardsmen and law enforcement officials are called out to restore order.

September 9, 1965

LBJ signs the act establishing the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and appoints Robert Weaver as the first secretary of HUD. Weaver is the first African American appointed to the Cabinet.

October 2, 1965

Johnson signs the Water Quality Act, preventing water pollution by requiring states to establish and enforce water quality standards for interstate waterways.

October 3, 1965

Johnson signs the Immigration Act in front of the Statue of Liberty. This act repeals the restrictive national origins quota system which originated in 1921.

October 22, 1965

Johnson signs the Highway Beautification Act. The act helps states control billboards and junkyards and encourages scenic and roadside development along major highways.

November 8, 1965

Johnson signs the Higher Education Act, which increases Federal money given to universities, creates scholarships and low-interest student loans and establishes a National Teacher Corps.

March 7, 1966

French President Charles de Gaulle informs Johnson that France will end its participation in the military aspects of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). The move threatens the future of NATO and U.S. policy in Europe.

May 26, 1966

Johnson delivers a speech commemorating the 3rd anniversary of the Organization of African Unity, outlining the administration’s African policy and establishing a task force to review U.S. development policies and programs in Africa.

July 4, 1966

Johnson signs the Freedom of Information Act.

October 16, 1966

Johnson signs the act establishing the Department of Transportation and appoints Alan Boyd as its first secretary.

October 17, 1966

Johnson makes a seventeen-day Far East trip, attends the seven-nation Manila Summit Conference and visits U.S. troops in South Vietnam and South Korea.

January 27, 1967

Johnson, along with Great Britain, the U.S.S.R. and 57 other nations, signs the Treaty on Outer Space governing the activities of nations in the exploration and use of outer space. Later that day, three U.S. astronauts die in a fire during an Apollo 1 training mission.

February 10, 1967

The twenty-fifth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution is ratified. The amendment provides for the appointment of the Vice President should the office become vacant and provides for succession to the presidency should the President become disabled and unable to fulfill the responsibilities of the office.

April 11, 1967

Johnson meets with Latin American leaders in Punta del Este, Uruguay.

June 5, 1967

The Six-Day War is fought in the Middle East between Israel and its Arab neighbors Egypt, Jordan and Syria. The “Hot Line” is used for the first time for communication between Johnson and Soviet Premier Alexsei Kosygin.

June 8, 1967

The USS Liberty, a U.S. Navy communications ship, is attacked off the Sinai coast. The Israeli government informs the U.S. government that they attacked the ship in error.

June 13, 1967

Johnson appoints Thurgood Marshall to the Supreme Court. Marshall is the first African American to serve as Supreme Court Justice.

June 21, 1967

Luci Johnson Nugent gives birth to the first Johnson grandchild Patrick Lyndon Nugent.

June 23, 1967

Johnson meets with Soviet Premier Alexsei Kosygin in Glassboro, New Jersey.

July 8, 1967

Johnson authorizes sending three U.S. aircraft to the Congo to provide logistical support for President Mobutu's government following internal rebellion.

July 23, 1967

Race riots erupt, and Johnson orders 4,700 Federal troops to Detroit.

July 27, 1967

Johnson appoints the National Advisory Commission on Civil Disorders to investigate recent riots across the nation. The commission is also known as the Kerner Commission.

October 21, 1967

Anti-war protests against the war in Vietnam reach a highpoint as the “March on the Pentagon” draws over 50,000 protestors.

November 7, 1967

Johnson signs the Public Broadcasting Act establishing the nonprofit and nongovernmental Corporation for Public Broadcasting. The Corporation for Public Broadcasting provides financial assistance for noncommercial educational television and radio broadcasting.

November 20, 1967

Johnson signs the act creating the National Product Safety Commission.

November 21, 1967

Johnson signs the Air Quality Act to strengthen federal powers to combat air pollution.

January 23, 1968

The USS Pueblo, a U.S. Navy communications ship, is attacked and captured by North Korea. North Korea does not release the crew of the ship until December 1968.

January 30, 1968

Enemy forces begin the Tet Offensive in Vietnam.

March 12, 1968

Johnson narrowly defeats anti-war candidate Senator Eugene McCarthy in the New Hampshire Democratic presidential primary.

March 31, 1968

Johnson announces curtailment of bombing of North Vietnam and that he will not seek a second term as President.

April 4, 1968

Martin Luther King, Jr., is assassinated, and riots erupt in Washington, DC, and other cities.

April 11, 1968

Johnson signs the Civil Rights Act of 1968, which includes provisions for fair housing.

May 1968

Vietnam peace talks begin in Paris.

June 6, 1968

Senator Robert F. Kennedy is assassinated following his victory in the California presidential primary.

June 19, 1968

Johnson signs the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968, providing assistance to the states to help upgrade local and state law enforcement methods.

July 1, 1968

Johnson signs the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty with 58 other countries in efforts to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons.

August 21, 1968

Johnson calls for withdrawal of Soviet troops after their invasion of Czechoslovakia. The invasion stalls Johnson Administration efforts to limit the spread of armaments and to mutually reduce troop strength in Europe.

August 26, 1968

Riots disrupt the Chicago Democratic National Convention, where Vice President Hubert H. Humphrey wins the nomination for president.

October 2, 1968

Johnson signs the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act, establishing a national rivers system to protect and preserve many wild, scenic and recreational rivers. At the same time, President Johnson signs the National Trails System Act, creating a nationwide system of scenic and recreational trails.

October 22, 1968

Johnson signs the Gun Control Act of 1968, regulating the firearm industry and owners.

October 25, 1968

Lynda Johnson Robb gives birth to the Johnsons’ first granddaughter, Lucinda Desha Robb.

October 31, 1968

Johnson orders a halt to all bombing of North Vietnam.

November 5, 1968

Richard M. Nixon is elected thirty-seventh President of the United States.

Post-Presidency

January 20, 1969 - January 22, 1973

After the inauguration of President Richard Nixon on January 20, 1969, Lyndon Johnson returned to his home at the LBJ Ranch in Texas. During his retirement years, he dedicated the Lyndon Baines Johnson Presidential Library and Museum in Austin, Texas; wrote his memoirs, The Vantage Point; and participated in the beginning of a series of national symposia on the critical issues of modern America held at the Johnson Library. Following a short retirement, Lyndon Johnson died at the LBJ Ranch on January 22, 1973. He is buried in the family cemetery at the ranch near his birthplace.

January 20, 1969

Johnson returns to the LBJ Ranch in Texas following the inauguration of President Richard Nixon.

July 16, 1969

Johnson attends the launching of Apollo 11 at Cape Kennedy, Florida; the successful moon landing fulfills the goal expressed in Johnson's April 28, 1961 memorandum to President Kennedy.

May 22, 1971

Johnson attends the dedication of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library in Austin, Texas.

November 1, 1971

Johnson’s memoir, The Vantage Point: Perspectives of the Presidency, 1963-1969, is published.

January 22, 1973

Johnson dies at the LBJ Ranch and is buried in the family gravesite near his birthplace.