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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Following the shooting of Robert F. Kennedy on June 5 and Kennedy's death on June 6, President Johnson issued a national statement and ordered flags lowered to half-staff.
Following the assassination of Robert F. Kennedy, President Johnson issued a public statement mourning the shooting and ordered flags at the White House and federal buildings to be flown at half-staff.
Johnson signed the Civil Rights Act of 1968, including the Fair Housing provisions prohibiting discrimination in the sale, rental, and financing of housing.
Johnson issued a national statement mourning Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., urged calm, and offered federal assistance to local authorities after King's assassination in Memphis.
In a televised address, President Johnson declared he would not seek nor accept the Democratic nomination for another term and announced a halt to the bombing of North Vietnam as a step toward negotiations.
Senator Robert F. Kennedy publicly announced his candidacy for the Democratic nomination for president.
Soldiers of the U.S. Army’s Charlie Company killed hundreds of civilians in the village of My Lai during a search-and-destroy operation in South Vietnam.
Anti‑war Senator Eugene McCarthy mounted a strong challenge in the New Hampshire Democratic primary, demonstrating significant public opposition to the Vietnam War.
President Johnson's close adviser Clark M. Clifford was confirmed and sworn in as Secretary of Defense, replacing Robert McNamara.
The Kerner Commission, appointed by President Johnson after 1967 urban riots, released its report concluding that white racism and segregation were central causes of the disturbances and warning the nation was 'moving toward two societies.'
Robert S. McNamara announced his resignation as United States Secretary of Defense, ending his tenure in the Johnson administration.
On February 27, 1968, CBS Evening News anchor Walter Cronkite returned from a reporting trip to Vietnam and delivered an on-air editorial concluding the war had reached a stalemate.