(1908–73). After the assassination of President John F. Kennedy in 1963, Lyndon B. Johnson rose from the vice presidency to become the 36th president of the United States. In 1964 voters elected him to a full term. During his administration Johnson introduced important social laws, including a historic civil-rights bill. He faced harsh criticism, however, for greatly expanding U.S. involvement in the Vietnam War.

Early life and marriage

Lyndon Baines Johnson was born on August 27, 1908, on a farm near Stonewall, Texas. He was the eldest of five children of Sam Ealy Johnson, Jr., and Rebekah Baines Johnson. Both of his parents came from Texas pioneer families. His father was a businessman and member of the Texas House of Representatives. His mother was a daughter of a state legislator.

Johnson graduated from high school in 1924. He spent three years in a series of odd jobs before enrolling at the Southwest Texas State Teachers College in San Marcos, Texas. After finishing college in 1930, he taught public speaking and debate in a Houston high school. The next year he went to Washington, D.C., as an assistant to a Democratic congressman.

In 1934 Johnson married Claudia Alta Taylor known since childhood as Lady Bird. She provided great support to her husband in his political career. The couple had two daughters, Lynda Bird and Luci Baines.

Begins political career

In Washington, Johnson associated with Sam Rayburn, a fellow Texan and politician. In 1935 Rayburn got Johnson his first important public job, as director of the National Youth Administration in Texas. Two years later Johnson, a Democrat, was elected to the United States House of Representatives. In this role he supported the New Deal social policies of President Franklin Roosevelt.

Johnson joined the Navy in 1941. He was the first member of Congress to enter active duty in World War II. A lieutenant commander, he was awarded the Silver Star for gallantry by Gen. Douglas MacArthur.

Johnson was elected to the United States Senate in 1948. He remained in the Senate for 12 years, becoming minority leader in 1953 and majority leader in 1957. He experienced a severe heart attack in 1955, but within several months he was back at work.

From vice president to president

In 1960 Johnson lost the Democratic presidential nomination to John F. Kennedy. He then accepted Kennedy's invitation to join the Democratic ticket as the vice-presidential candidate. The Republican presidential nominee was Richard M. Nixon. Johnson's influence in the South helped give the Democrats a narrow victory.

On November 22, 1963, Kennedy was assassinated in Dallas, Texas. At 2:39 PM on that day, Johnson was sworn in as president.

In the difficult period after the assassination, Johnson helped to calm the nation and ensured continuity in the presidency. He urged Congress to pass legislation that Kennedy had proposed. In July 1964 Johnson signed the Civil Rights Act, the most far-reaching law of its kind in U.S. history. It was aimed at ending discrimination based on race, color, religion, or national origin.

The Great Society

In the presidential election of 1964, Johnson was opposed by conservative Republican Barry Goldwater. Johnson won easily, receiving more than 61 percent of the popular vote.

Johnson saw his victory as a sign of support for his social reforms. In his second term he expanded his concept of the Great Society, the name he used for his program of social-welfare legislation. Johnson successfully urged Congress to pass laws to fight poverty and provide federal support for education, medical care for the aged, and housing. In 1965 Congress passed the Voting Rights Act, which outlawed the many ways that people had tried to prevent African Americans from voting. Other laws addressed problems in transportation, conservation, and immigration.

International and domestic problems

Despite these efforts, Johnson soon faced widespread criticism over his handling of the Vietnam War. He sent hundreds of thousands of U.S. troops to help defend South Vietnam, but the fighting continued. The war was costly and aroused protests from students, civil-rights leaders, and others.

Meanwhile, the nation's poor grew increasingly frustrated with the slow progress of Johnson's Great Society reforms. Many African Americans living in the cities still suffered from unemployment, run-down schools, and poor medical care. Beginning in the mid-1960s, several cities experienced severe rioting. This unrest further damaged Johnson's reputation.

On March 31, 1968, Johnson proposed peace talks in Vietnam. He also declared that he would not seek reelection and would instead devote himself to achieving peace.

Last days

In January 1969 Johnson was succeeded by Richard Nixon. He retired to his ranch in Texas. On January 22, 1973, Johnson suffered a fatal heart attack at his ranch, just a few days before the end of the war in Vietnam. He was buried at his ranch.