10 fun and interesting Lyndon B. Johnson facts

1. A Life in Pictures

Lyndon B. Johnson was born on 27 August 1908 in Stonewall, Texas, a small town located in the heart of the Texas Hill Country. He went on to become the 36th President of the United States, serving from 1963 to 1969. Johnson was a major figure in the civil rights movement, signing the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965 into law. Sadly, Johnson passed away on 22 January 1973 at the age of 64, leaving behind a legacy of progressive social reform.

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2. 37th VP, Passed Civil Rights Act of '64

Lyndon B. Johnson served as the 37th Vice-President of the United States from 1961 to 1963, during the administration of President John F. Kennedy. During his time in office, Johnson was a key figure in the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which outlawed discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. He also worked to pass the Voting Rights Act of 1965, which prohibited racial discrimination in voting. Johnson's tenure as Vice-President was a crucial period in the history of civil rights in the United States.

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3. LBJ: 4 Highest Elected Offices

Lyndon B. Johnson is one of only four people in history to have held all four of the highest elected offices in the United States: Representative, Senator, Vice-President, and President. Johnson was first elected to the House of Representatives in 1937, and then to the Senate in 1948. He was elected Vice-President in 1960, and then President in 1964. His legacy as one of the most influential figures in American politics is still felt today.

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4. LBJ's Passion for Comm. & Persuasion

Before embarking on his illustrious political career, Lyndon B. Johnson honed his public speaking and debating skills by teaching classes in these subjects at a high school in Houston, Texas. Johnson's passion for communication and persuasion was evident even in his early years, and his teaching experience provided him with the foundation he needed to become one of the most influential politicians of the 20th century.

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5. Johnson Was a Masterful Politician Even as a Young Age

Lyndon B. Johnson was a masterful politician, even at a young age. As a Congressional aide, he was elected speaker of a group of his peers known as 'Little Congress'. Johnson was adept at cultivating relationships with lobbyists, newspapermen, and Congressmen, which helped him to rise to the highest levels of political power. His ability to build strong relationships with influential people was a key factor in his success.

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6. Lyndon Johnson's Unethical Election Victory

In 1948, Lyndon B. Johnson won a highly controversial election for Senator in a run-off with former governor Coke Stevenson. Despite Stevenson leading in the initial vote count, Johnson ultimately won the election by a slim margin of just 87 votes. This razor-thin victory was met with much criticism and suspicion, as many believed that Johnson had resorted to unethical tactics to secure the win. Nevertheless, Johnson's victory was ultimately upheld, and he went on to serve as a Senator for the state of Texas.

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7. LBJ: From Senate Leader to Intelligence Innovator

Lyndon B. Johnson is widely regarded by historians as one of the most effective Senate Majority Leaders in history, and is also remembered as the greatest intelligence gatherer Washington has ever seen. His ability to collect and analyze information was unparalleled, and his skill in using it to his advantage was legendary. He was able to use his knowledge to craft legislation that was both effective and popular, and his influence in the Senate was unparalleled. His legacy as a leader and intelligence gatherer will continue to be remembered for generations to come.

8. Two Important Positions: Johnson Led Science and Space Initiatives

Lyndon B. Johnson was appointed to two important positions by President John F. Kennedy: Chairman of the President's Ad Hoc Committee for Science and Chairman of the National Aeronautics Space Council. In these roles, Johnson was responsible for overseeing the development of science and space initiatives, and for providing advice and guidance to the President on matters related to science and space exploration. Johnson's tenure in these positions was marked by significant advances in the fields of science and space exploration, and his contributions to the advancement of these fields are still remembered today.

9. 36th President sworn in on airplane

On November 22nd, 1963, Lyndon B. Johnson was sworn in as the 36th President of the United States aboard Air Force One at Dallas Love Field. This historic moment was the first time a President had been sworn in on an airplane, and it was a solemn occasion as Johnson had just taken office following the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. The oath of office was administered by Judge Sarah T. Hughes, who had been appointed by Kennedy himself. Johnson's wife, Lady Bird Johnson, was also present for the ceremony.

10. Johnson's War: How He Increased American Troops in Vietnam

Lyndon B. Johnson was responsible for a dramatic escalation of America's involvement in the Vietnam War. In just four years, he increased the number of American soldiers and advisors in Vietnam from a mere sixteen thousand in 1964 to a staggering five hundred thousand combat troops by early 1968. This dramatic increase in troop numbers was a major factor in the prolonged and costly conflict that would come to define Johnson's presidency.