Lyndon B. Johnson, a Democrat from Texas, became president after John F. Kennedy's assassination in 1963 and served until 1969. He pursued an ambitious domestic agenda while presiding over a major escalation of the Vietnam War.
Johnson’s domestic agenda, known as the Great Society, expanded civil rights, health care, education, and anti-poverty programs, producing landmark laws such as the Civil Rights Act, the Voting Rights Act, Medicare, and Medicaid.
His decision to escalate U.S. military involvement in Vietnam eroded public support and overshadowed many of his achievements, leaving a complex legacy that reshaped civil rights, social policy, and debates over U.S. foreign intervention.
Signed the Civil Rights Act (1964) and Voting Rights Act (1965); Created Medicare and Medicaid (1965); Launched the Great Society and War on Poverty initiatives; Escalated U.S. military involvement in the Vietnam War; Enacted the Immigration and Nationality Act (1965)
Key highlights and dated events associated with this presidency.
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On November 8, 1965, elements of the U.S. 173rd Airborne Brigade encountered and fought a large Viet Cong force northwest of Saigon in what became known as Operation Hump.
President Johnson signed the Highway Beautification Act, a law restricting outdoor advertising along federal highways, promoting scenic conservation, and providing federal funds for roadside beautification and junkyard control.
Abe Fortas, President Johnson’s Supreme Court nominee to replace Arthur Goldberg, took the judicial oath and joined the Court.
President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965, abolishing the National Origins Formula and establishing a new preference system based on family reunification and skilled immigrants.
President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the National Foundation on the Arts and the Humanities Act, establishing the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) and the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH).
The U.S. Senate voted to confirm Abe Fortas as an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court following President Johnson's September 15 nomination.
Johnson issued Executive Order 11246 prohibiting employment discrimination by federal contractors and directing affirmative action to ensure equal employment opportunity.
President Lyndon B. Johnson nominated longtime adviser Abe Fortas to fill the Supreme Court vacancy left by Justice Arthur J. Goldberg.
President Johnson nominated Thurgood Marshall to serve as U.S. Solicitor General, making him the first African American to hold that office.
President Johnson nominated Robert C. Weaver to serve as the first Secretary of the newly created Department of Housing and Urban Development.
Hurricane Betsy made landfall near Grand Isle, Louisiana, causing catastrophic flooding in New Orleans, and President Johnson declared a major federal disaster and directed substantial federal relief and military assistance.
President Johnson signed legislation establishing the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) as a Cabinet-level agency to address housing and urban problems.