Lyndon Johnson

Lyndon B. Johnson

36th President of the United States
under the Constitution of 1787

LYNDON BAINES JOHNSON was born on August 27, 1908 near Stonewall, Gillespie County, Texas. His paternal grandfather had moved to Texas from his birthplace in Georgia and had become a cattle rancher in the Pedernales River Valley west of Austin. Johnson was the eldest of the five children of Sam Ealy Johnson, Jr. and Rebekah Baines Johnson. His father struggled on the family cattle ranch and being politically active, served five terms in the Texas legislature. In 1913, the Johnson family abandoned the family ranch and moved to Johnson City, a nearby town named for his ancestors. Johnson attended public schools in Johnson City and graduated from Johnson City High School, one of six in the class of 1924.

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Johnson decided to make his way to California with a five friends in an automobile he had purchased. There he performed odd jobs, picking fruit, washing cars and one as an elevator operator. A year later he hitchhiked home where he worked on a road construction gang. His mother had impressed the importance of a college education on him while he was growing up and in 1927 he decided to follow her advice. He enrolled in nearby Southwest Texas State Teachers College where he eventually received his B.S. after interrupting his education to teach Mexican children in the town on Cotulla in South Texas. After graduation, he accepted a teaching position at Sam Houston High School in Houston, where his uncle was chairman of the History department. In 1931, at the beginning of his second year teaching, he accepted a political appointment, going to Washington as secretary to Democratic Texas congressman, Richard M. Kleberg. He soon gained prominence in Washington Democratic political circles during the early days of Roosevelt’s administration. In 1933 he was elected speaker of an organization of congressional workers called the “Little Congress”

On a trip home to Texas, Johnson met a women he almost immediately knew was to be his wife. Two months later she agreed and on November 17, 1934, Johnson married Claudia Alta Taylor, known as “Lady Bird”, a member of a prosperous Texas family and a recent graduate of the University of Texas. The couple had two daughters, Lynda bird, born in 1944 and Luci Baines, born in 1947. 

On July 25, 1935, Johnson resigned as Secretary to Representative Kleberg and accepted Roosevelt’s appointment as the Texas Director of the National Youth Administration. At the age of 26, he was the youngest of the state directors. In 1937, the seat of the incumbent congressman James P. Buchanan in Johnson’s 10th Texas district became vacant due to the congressman’s sudden death. With $10,00 borrowed by his wife, and aided by many local friends, Johnson ran against nine opponents. On April 10, 1937, Johnson won with more than 3,000 votes than the next highest candidate. Johnson was an all out supporter of President Roosevelt and he was appointed to the House Committee on Naval Affairs at the request of the President. Johnson worked hard for public housing, rural electrification and eliminating government waste. He won reelection to each succeeding Congress until 1948.

In the spring of 1941, Senator Morris Sheppard died and Johnson announced his candidacy for the remaining term. Johnson once again ran as an enthusiastic supporter of Roosevelt’s. The election in June was very close, but Johnson lost by 1,311 votes out of nearly 600,000 cast. After the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor in December 1941, Johnson was on of the first congressman to enlist, joining the Navy. He saw action in the Pacific and received the Silver Star for gallantry. He returned to Washington in July 1942 where he headed a special investigating subcommittee of the Naval Affairs Committee. The death of President Roosevelt in April 1945 was a personal loss for him, telling a reporter that the President has been his “second daddy.”

In 1948, Johnson again ran for the Senate, this time winning the primary with a final victory by a margin of 87 votes, out of nearly 900,000 cast, giving him the nickname “Landslide Lyndon”. He won easily over his Republican opponent, Jack Porter, in the election and returned to Washington and immediately became a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee. He advanced rapidly in the Senate, in 1951 becoming party whip, providing leadership for his party and developing his peace-making powers. In 1953, he was elected Minority Leader of the Senate and in 1955, the Majority Leader. During his tenure as Senate Majority Leader, Johnson served as Chairman of the Democratic Policy Committee, Democratic Steering Committee, and Democratic Conference of the Senate. On July 2, 1955 Johnson suffered a severe heart attack and entered Bethesda Naval Hospital. He was released from the hospital and returned home to the LBJ Ranch to recuperate. He did not return to Washington until December. Johnson resumed his duties on the Hill, helping to secure the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1957. He was active as Chairman of the Senate Preparedness Investigating Subcommittee, beginning hearings on the American space program.

On July 13, 1960, Johnson was nominated for President at the Democratic National Convention, but he did not count on the superbly managed campaign of John F. Kennedy, loosing the first-ballot nomination to the young Senator from Massachusetts. Kennedy then surprised many people by offering Johnson the vice-presidential nomination. A surprised Johnson accepted and threw himself into he campaign, working in the South to overcome the Southern Democrats suspicion of a Roman Catholic candidate. The election was very close, with the Kennedy/Johnson ticket winning by a narrow margin over the Nixon/Lodge Republicans.

Johnson was an unusually active vice president, participating significantly in the decision-making process, and visiting 33 countries on behalf of the administration. 

1963-1964 Civil Rights

In the spring of 1963, the Rev. Fred Shuttlesworth and Martin Luther King, Jr., launched a civil rights mass protest in Birmingham, Alabama, which King called the most segregated city in America. Initially, the demonstrations had little impact. Then, on Good Friday, King was arrested and spent a week behind bars.  While in was jail eight clergyman wrote him a letter criticizing his work as unwise and wrong. Dr. King responded to the clergymen in an open letter, written on April 16, 1963.  This "Letter From A Birmingham Jail" is now one of the most celebrated documents in United States history. The letter not only defends the strategy of nonviolent resistance to racism, but also argues that people have a moral responsibility to break unjust laws, where he wrote one of his most famous meditations on racial injustice and civil disobedience, "Letter from Birmingham Jail." 

Meanwhile, James Bevel, one of King's young lieutenants, summoned black youths to march in the streets at the beginning of May. The Birmingham City Commissioner Eugene "Bull" Connor used police dogs and high-pressure fire hoses to put down the demonstrations. Nearly a thousand young people were arrested. The violence was broadcast on television to the nation and the world and the "Letter from Birmingham Jail." received national media attention.  Invoking federal authority, President Kennedy sent several thousand troops to an Alabama air base, and his administration responded by speeding up the drafting of a comprehensive civil rights bill.

The National Basketball Retired Players Association (NBRPA), the only alumni association comprised of former NBA, ABA, Harlem Globetrotter and WNBA players, is commemorating the 50^th Anniversary of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the 150th Anniversary of the 13th Amendment  – in conjunction with the University Honors Program at Loyola University New Orleans and ELEVATE, an academic, athletic and mentoring program for inner-city teens – by issuing a one-of-a-kind limited edition print of Martin Luther King's “Letter from a Birmingham Jail” signed by Dr. King and more than 50 former NBA players. This unique, historic, limited edition print is the perfect collectible for any history and/or sports fanatic.   The 1000 special edition “Path to Freedom” prints are only available as a gift, limit one per patron, 

King's "Letter from Birmingham Jail." ignited the protest efforts of his fellow activists all across the nation, which culminated in a March on Washington For Jobs And Freedom, in Washington D.C., on August 28th, 1963, to support civil rights legislation. The march was organized by a coalition of several civil rights organizations that had different approaches and different agendas. The "Big Six" organizers were James Farmer, of the Congress of Racial Equality (CORE); Martin Luther King, Jr., of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC); John Lewis, of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC); A. Philip Randolph, of the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters; Roy Wilkins, of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP); and Whitney Young, Jr., of the National Urban League.  The stated demands of the march were the passage of meaningful civil rights legislation; the elimination of racial segregation in public schools; protection for demonstrators against police brutality; a major public-works program to provide jobs; the passage of a law prohibiting racial discrimination in public and private hiring; a $2 an hour minimum wage; and self-government for the District of Columbia, which had a black majority.

More than 200,000 Americans of all races celebrated the centennial of the Emancipation Proclamation by joining the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. Key civil rights figures led the march, including A. Philip Randolph, Roy Wilkins, Bayard Rustin, and Whitney Young. But the most memorable moment came when Martin Luther King, Jr., delivered his "I Have a Dream" speech from the steps of the Lincoln Memorial.

In the fall, the comprehensive civil rights bill cleared several hurdles in Congress and won the endorsement of House and Senate Republican leaders. It was not passed, however, before the November 22, 1963 assassination of President Kennedy. 

President Johnson's 20 years of experience as a Texas Congressman and a US Senator enabled him to capitalize on his connections with his fellow southern white congressional leaders.  This legislative expertise, coupled with nearly 90% Republican Congressional support and the outpouring of public emotion, enabled Johnson to coral a super majority of US Senators to break the Democratic Party's filibuster against the Civil Rights Act.  

The provisions of the Civil Rights Act passed on July 2nd, 1964, included: 

1. protecting African Americans against discrimination in voter qualification tests; 
2. outlawing discrimination in hotels, motels, restaurants, theaters, and all other public accommodations engaged in interstate commerce; 
3. authorizing the U.S. Attorney General's Office to file legal suits to enforce desegregation in public schools; 
4. authorizing the withdrawal of federal funds from programs practicing discrimination; 
5. outlawing discrimination in employment in any business exceeding 25 people and creating an Equal Employment Opportunity Commission to review complaints.

The passage of the Civil Rights Act was an historic step in achieving the civil rights movement's initial goal: full legal equality for minorities.

After signing the Civil Rights Act of 1964 in a televised ceremony at the White House he turned ed the pressing matter of Vietnam. 

President Johnson ordered retaliatory air strikes against North Vietnam after the attacks on the USS Maddox and her escort the USS C. Turner Joy. He signed the Southeast Asia Resolution on August 10th, giving him authority to take “all necessary measures to repel any armed attack against the forces of the United States and to prevent further aggression.” In November he was elected President of the United States with the greatest percentage of the total popular vote (61%) ever attained by a candidate. Hubert Humphrey was elected Vice President.

Johnson introduced his own “Great Society” program, declaring a “war on poverty” and calling for urban renewal, aid to education and Medicare for the elderly. But the situation in South Vietnam deteriorated and Johnson began enlarging the military commitment. Though never declared, the war in South Vietnam came to dominate his Presidency. It escalated steadily costing thousands of American lives and causing bitter protests at home. On March 31, 1968 Johnson announced that he would not be a candidate for another term as President.

Following the inauguration of Richard M. Nixon in January 1969, Johnson returned to the LBJ Ranch in Texas. He devoted his time to writing his presidential memoirs. He again suffered from his heart ailment and on January 22, 1973, he died at this ranch near Johnson City, Texas.

 Claudia Alta Taylor Johnson 

Born Claudia Alta Taylor on December 22, 1912, in a country mansion near Karnack, Texas, Lady Bird Johnson would grow up to become one of America's most cherished First Ladies, celebrated for her deep commitment to nature and environmental conservation. Her nickname, “Lady Bird,” was given to her as a young child—legend has it by a nursemaid who thought she was “as pretty as a lady bird.” This endearing moniker stayed with her, seeming to foreshadow her lifelong passion for the natural world and her commitment to preserving its beauty.

Lady Bird’s childhood was shaped by both tragedy and resilience. Her mother, Minnie Pattillo Taylor, passed away when Lady Bird was only five years old, leaving her to be raised by her father, Thomas Jefferson Taylor, an affluent businessman, along with her aunt Effie Pattillo and family servants. Her father, a landowner and merchant, instilled in her a practical understanding of the business world, which would later prove invaluable. A bright and inquisitive child, Lady Bird excelled academically and developed a love for reading, especially classical literature. She pursued her studies at the University of Texas, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in both arts and journalism, equipping her with a strong foundation in writing and communication.

In 1934, Lady Bird’s life took a significant turn when she met Lyndon Baines Johnson, then a Congressional secretary who was in Austin on official business. Their connection was almost instant; Lyndon’s relentless energy and ambition captivated her. He pursued her with a passion, sending letters, telegrams, and making frequent phone calls from Washington. Within just seven weeks, Lyndon returned to Texas, proposed, and she accepted, embarking on a whirlwind romance that would lead to a marriage deeply rooted in mutual respect and partnership. “Sometimes Lyndon simply takes your breath away,” she once remarked, encapsulating the intensity of his character. They were married on November 17, 1934, beginning a union that would last nearly 39 years and define Lady Bird’s public and personal life.

As Lyndon’s political ambitions grew, Lady Bird became an essential partner, offering steady support and practical assistance. Her adaptability and intelligence helped her manage the demands of political life with grace and tenacity. When Lyndon volunteered for naval service during World War II, Lady Bird single-handedly ran his Congressional office, keeping his political presence active. Later, in 1955, when he suffered a severe heart attack, she stepped in to manage his Senate Majority Leader responsibilities, ensuring a seamless continuation of his role. Acknowledging her profound impact, Lyndon famously stated that voters “would happily have elected her over me.”

After enduring the heartbreak of multiple miscarriages, Lady Bird gave birth to two daughters: Lynda Bird in 1944 and Luci Baines in 1947. Her role as a mother was one she cherished deeply, and she raised her daughters with the same values of resilience and public service that she embodied herself.

Lady Bird’s public role expanded significantly in 1960, when Lyndon was elected Vice President under John F. Kennedy. With an innate ability to connect with people, she embarked on a grueling 35,000-mile campaign trail, tirelessly stumping for Democratic candidates and winning admiration for her resilience and dedication. As the wife of the Vice President, she took on the role of goodwill ambassador, visiting 33 foreign countries to represent American diplomacy and warmth on the world stage. Following the tragic assassination of President Kennedy in 1963, she supported the nation through a painful transition to new leadership, helping Lyndon stabilize the country in a time of deep mourning and uncertainty. In the White House, she brought a unique blend of Texas hospitality and elegance to social events, hosting gatherings with warmth and attention to detail, though she focused her energy on causes close to her heart.

Determined to make a difference beyond traditional First Lady roles, Lady Bird championed environmental beautification and preservation efforts across the country. She founded the First Lady’s Committee for a More Beautiful Capital, planting trees, flowers, and creating green spaces throughout Washington, D.C., to foster a more inviting environment. Her mission soon expanded, transforming into a national campaign to beautify America. Lady Bird’s legacy in environmental conservation went beyond aesthetics; she advocated for the Highway Beautification Act of 1965, often referred to as “Lady Bird’s Bill,” which sought to reduce highway litter and regulate billboards and junkyards, preserving scenic landscapes across the nation.

Her advocacy also extended to social causes, particularly those aligned with her husband’s Great Society initiatives. She took an active role in the war-on-poverty program, emphasizing the importance of early education for children from low-income families. Her work with the Head Start program brought essential preschool education to thousands of children, marking a profound impact on generations to come.

Following Lyndon’s presidency, Lady Bird returned to Texas, dedicating her life to public service and the memory of her husband. In 1970, she published her White House Diary, a candid and insightful account of her years in the White House, and in 1981, she shared her story further through the documentary, The First Lady, A Portrait of Lady Bird Johnson. These works offered a deeply personal view of her contributions to the Great Society and the strength required of her as both a wife and a First Lady.

In her later years, Lady Bird became an ardent supporter of environmental and cultural preservation. She founded the National Wildflower Research Center (now the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center) in 1982, dedicated to preserving and promoting native plant life in Texas and beyond. Her legacy in conservation extended through her work with the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and the National Geographic Society, where she served as a trustee emeritus. Devoted to her family, she spent her final years surrounded by her daughters, seven grandchildren, and countless friends and supporters, continuing to inspire those around her with her unwavering dedication to beauty, nature, and public service.

Lady Bird Johnson left an indelible mark on America—not only as a First Lady but as a pioneering environmentalist, advocate for social welfare, and a woman of profound influence and compassion. Her legacy continues to thrive in the landscapes she fought to protect and the lives she touched across the nation.

 The Congressional Evolution of the United States of America 

For students and teachers of U.S. history, this video features Stanley and Christopher Klos presenting America's Four United Republics Curriculum at the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School. Filmed in December 2015, this video is an informal recording by an audience member capturing a presentation attended by approximately 200 students, professors, and guests. To explore the full curriculum, [download it here]. 

Continental Congress of the United Colonies Presidents 

Sept. 5, 1774 to July 1, 1776

Peyton Randolph	September 5, 1774	October 22, 1774
Henry Middleton	October 22, 1774	October 26, 1774
Peyton Randolph	May 20, 1775	May 24, 1775
John Hancock	May 25, 1775	July 1, 1776

Commander-in-Chief United Colonies & States of America

George Washington: June 15, 1775 - December 23, 1783

Continental Congress of the United States Presidents 
July 2, 1776 to February 28, 1781

John Hancock	July 2, 1776	October 29, 1777
Henry Laurens	November 1, 1777	December 9, 1778
John Jay	December 10, 1778	September 28, 1779
Samuel Huntington	September 29, 1779	February 28, 1781

Presidents of the United States in Congress Assembled
March 1, 1781 to March 3, 1789

Samuel Huntington	March 1, 1781	July 6, 1781
Samuel Johnston	July 10, 1781	Declined Office
Thomas McKean	July 10, 1781	November 4, 1781
John Hanson	November 5, 1781	November 3, 1782
Elias Boudinot	November 4, 1782	November 2, 1783
Thomas Mifflin	November 3, 1783	June 3, 1784
Richard Henry Lee	November 30, 1784	November 22, 1785
John Hancock	November 23, 1785	June 5, 1786
Nathaniel Gorham	June 6, 1786	February 1, 1787
Arthur St. Clair	February 2, 1787	January 21, 1788
Cyrus Griffin	January 22, 1788	January 21, 1789

Articles of Confederation Congress
United States in Congress Assembled (USCA) Sessions

USCA	Session Dates	USCA Convene Date	President(s)
First	03-01-1781 to 11-04-1781*	03-02-1781	Samuel Huntington &  Thomas McKean
Second	11-05-1781 to 11-03-1782	11-05-1781	John Hanson
Third	11-04-1782 to 11-02-1783	11-04-1782	Elias Boudinot
Fourth	11-03-1783 to 10-31-1784	11-03-1783	Thomas Mifflin
Fifth	11-01-1784 to 11-06-1785	11-29-1784	Richard Henry Lee
Sixth	11-07-1785 to 11-05-1786	11-23-1785	John Hancock &  Nathaniel Gorham
Seventh	11-06-1786 to 11-04-1787	02-02-1787	Arthur St. Clair
Eighth	11-05-1787 to 11-02-1788	01-21-1788	Cyrus Griffin
Ninth	11-03-1788 to 03-03-1789**	None	None

* The Articles of Confederation was ratified by the mandated 13th State on February 2, 1781, and the dated adopted by the Continental Congress to commence the new  United States in Congress Assembled government was March 1, 1781.  The USCA convened under the Articles of Confederation Constitution on March 2, 1781.  

** On September 14, 1788, the Eighth United States in Congress Assembled resolved that March 4th, 1789, would be commencement date of the Constitution of 1787's federal government thus dissolving the USCA on March 3rd, 1789.

Presidents of the United States of America

1789 - Present

POTUS - CLICK HERE

United Colonies and States First Ladies

1774 - Present

FLOTUS - CLICK HERE

Capitals of the United Colonies and States of America

Philadelphia	Sept. 5, 1774 to Oct. 24, 1774	City Tavern & Carpenter’s Hall
Philadelphia	May 10, 1775 to Dec. 12, 1776	Pennsylvania State House
Baltimore	Dec. 20, 1776 to Feb. 27, 1777	Henry Fite’s House
Philadelphia	March 4, 1777 to Sept. 18, 1777	Pennsylvania State House
Lancaster	September 27, 1777	Lancaster  Court House
York	Sept. 30, 1777 to June 27, 1778	York-town Court House
Philadelphia	July 2, 1778 to June 21, 1783	College Hall - PA State House
Princeton	June 30, 1783 to Nov. 4, 1783	Prospect House - Nassau Hall
Annapolis	Nov. 26, 1783 to Aug. 19, 1784	Maryland, State House
Trenton	Nov. 1, 1784 to Dec. 24, 1784	French Arms Tavern
New York City	Jan. 11, 1785 to Nov. 13, 1788	New York City Hall
New York City	October 6, 1788 to March 3,1789	Walter Livingston House
New York City	March 3,1789 to August 12, 1790	Federal Hall
Philadelphia	Dec. 6,1790 to May 14, 1800	Congress Hall
Washington DC	November 17,1800 to Present	Two US Capitol Buildings

Chart Comparing Presidential Powers - Click Here

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Edited: Open AI. (2024). ChatGPT [Large language model] - https://chatgpt.com