Gerald R. Ford (1913–2006) served as the 38th President of the United States from August 9, 1974, to January 20, 1977. A Republican and the only person to serve as both vice president and president without election to either office, he took office after Richard Nixon's resignation.
Ford assumed the presidency at the height of the Watergate crisis and sought to restore trust in government; his decision to grant Richard Nixon a full pardon was intended to move the nation forward but proved politically costly. He presided over the end stages of U.S. involvement in Vietnam, signed the Helsinki Accords to ease Cold War tensions, appointed John Paul Stevens to the Supreme Court, and is remembered for his plainspoken integrity and emphasis on national healing.
Historians credit Ford with stabilizing the executive branch after Watergate and making pragmatic decisions amid economic and international challenges, though some of those choices—most notably the Nixon pardon—remain controversial in assessments of his presidency.
Succeeded Richard Nixon following his resignation (Aug 9, 1974); Granted a full pardon to Richard Nixon (1974); Managed U.S. response to the Fall of Saigon and the Mayaguez incident (1975); Signed the Helsinki Accords to reduce Cold War tensions (1975); Appointed John Paul Stevens to the Supreme Court (1975); Signed the Education for All Handicapped Children Act (1975)
Key highlights and dated events associated with this presidency.
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President Gerald Ford formally launched the 'Whip Inflation Now' (WIN) public campaign to combat rising inflation, encouraging voluntary actions by citizens and distributing WIN buttons and materials.
Ford unveiled a proposal for conditional clemency offering amnesty to certain Vietnam-era draft evaders and military deserters who met specified requirements such as submitting to a period of alternative service or complying with registration conditions.
Jerald terHorst resigned as White House Press Secretary, saying he could not in good conscience defend President Ford’s full and unconditional pardon of Richard Nixon announced the previous day.
President Gerald R. Ford issued a full and unconditional pardon to former President Richard M. Nixon for any crimes he 'has committed or may have committed' while in office.
On August 20, 1974, President Ford nominated former New York Governor Nelson A. Rockefeller to be Vice President under the procedures of the 25th Amendment.
Gerald R. Ford took the presidential oath of office on August 9, 1974, in the East Room of the White House and delivered his first address to the nation, opening with 'Our long national nightmare is over.'
On the evening of August 8, 1974, President Richard Nixon announced he would resign the presidency effective noon on August 9, clearing the way for Vice President Gerald R. Ford to assume the office.