President Lyndon Baines Johnson (LBJ) is one of the most controversial and complex figures in American political history. He served as the 36th President of the United States from 1963 to 1969, inheriting the presidency after the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. Here are some facts about President Lyndon Johnson.
- Johnson was born on August 27, 1908, in Stonewall, Texas. He was the first President to be born in Texas.
- Johnson had a difficult childhood. His father was a struggling farmer who often moved the family to find work. Johnson had to work on his family’s farm from a young age. He struggled with poverty, and it was only through education that he was able to overcome his humble beginnings.
- After graduating from Southwest Texas State Teachers College (now Texas State University), Johnson taught public speaking and debate in Houston. He was also elected as a member of the United States House of Representatives in 1937, representing the 10th district of Texas.
- As a Congressman, he was instrumental in passing the Civil Rights Act of 1957, which was the first federal civil rights legislation since Reconstruction. He also played a key role in the passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, which eliminated discriminatory voting practices against African Americans.
- When Johnson became Vice President in 1961, he was one of the youngest Vice Presidents in American history. Johnson’s relationship with President Kennedy was complicated, with Johnson often feeling marginalized and excluded from important decision-making.
- Johnson became President on November 22, 1963, after the assassination of President Kennedy. He was sworn in on Air Force One just hours after Kennedy’s death.
- Johnson’s presidency was marked by the Vietnam War. He escalated American involvement in the conflict, and by the end of his term, over 500,000 US troops were deployed in Vietnam. The war was deeply unpopular with the American public, and it played a significant role in Johnson’s decision not to seek re-election in 1968.
- One of Johnson’s major domestic policy achievements was the Great Society, a set of social and economic reforms aimed at eliminating poverty and racial injustice in America. These programs included Medicare, Medicaid, Head Start, and the Voting Rights Act.
- Johnson was known for his legendary temper, which often got him into trouble. He was also known for his ability to persuade and intimidate lawmakers to get his legislation passed.
- Johnson died on January 22, 1973, at the age of 64. Despite his controversial legacy, he is remembered as a transformative figure in American history who played a vital role in advancing civil rights and social justice.