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 July 1, 1968 the United States opened signature to the Treaty on the Non‑Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, joining the UK and USSR as initial signatories under the Johnson administration.
On June 28, 1968, President Johnson signed the Revenue and Expenditure Control Act of 1968, which included a temporary 10% surtax on individual income to help reduce the federal budget deficit.
President Johnson signed the Revenue and Expenditure Control Act of 1968, which included a temporary 10 percent income surtax and other measures to reduce the federal deficit.
As part of his court reshuffling after nominating Fortas for Chief Justice, President Johnson nominated Congressman and federal judge Homer Thornberry to fill Fortas's associate justice seat.
President Johnson nominated Associate Justice Abe Fortas to succeed Earl Warren as Chief Justice of the United States.
Also on June 26, 1968, Johnson nominated Congressman and federal judge Homer Thornberry to be an Associate Justice to replace Abe Fortas's vacated seat.
Alongside the Fortas nomination, Johnson nominated Texas congressman and federal judge Homer Thornberry to fill the Supreme Court seat vacated by Fortas's elevation.
On the same day he nominated Abe Fortas for Chief Justice, President Johnson nominated Representative Homer Thornberry to fill the Associate Justice vacancy that would be created by Fortas's elevation.
President Johnson nominated Associate Justice Abe Fortas to succeed Earl Warren as Chief Justice of the Supreme Court.
On June 10, 1968, the Johnson administration announced that Lt. Gen. Creighton W. Abrams would relieve Gen. William C. Westmoreland as commander of U.S. Military Assistance Command, Vietnam, with Abrams assuming command in Saigon.
Following the shooting of Senator Robert F. Kennedy in Los Angeles on June 5 and his death on June 6, President Johnson ordered flags lowered to half-staff and issued a public statement mourning the assassination.
On June 6, 1968, President Johnson ordered U.S. flags lowered to half-staff and issued a public statement mourning Senator Robert F. Kennedy after Kennedy was shot and died.