At the age of four, LBJ starts school in the one-room 'Junction School,' just up the road from his home. They closed the school because of the epidemic which cut short the term
LBJ returns to Texas from California. He finds work on a road construction crew.
LBJ returns to Texas from California. He finds work on a road construction crew.
Portrait of Lyndon B. Johnson, ca. 1927
Begins College
1927
LBJ borrows $75 and enrolls in Southwest Texas State Teachers College, now Texas State University, in San Marcos, Texas. As a student, he is highly involved in campus life, including serving as editor of the university's newspaper, "The College Star," and president of the Press Club.
Lyndon B. Johnson with his Welhausen School students, ca. 1928
Teaches in Cotulla
1928 - 1929
In order to fund his last year of college, LBJ takes a teaching position at the Mexican-American Welhausen School in Cotulla, Texas. He also takes extension courses while in Cotulla to keep up with his studies.
LBJ in Southwest Texas State Teacher College's 1931 Pedagog
Graduates College
August 19, 1930
After his almost one-year teaching stint in Cotulla, Texas, LBJ returns to Southwest Texas State Teachers College and graduates with a B.S. degree in History (minors in English and Social Sciences).
LBJ with his Sam Houston High School Debate Team, 1931
Teaches in Pearsall and Houston
1930 - 1931
LBJ continues teaching after his college graduation, first in Pearsall, Texas, and then at the Sam Houston High School in Houston, Texas. While at Sam Houston, he was part of the speech department and coached the debate team.
No one knew American politics better than Lyndon B. Johnson. There was a reason for it. He had 30 years of government service before his election as vice president.
LBJ goes to Washington
First Job in Washington
November 1931
LBJ moves to Washington, D.C. to work as Texas Congressman Richard M. Kleberg's secretary. In the position for approximately three years, he learns the ins and outs of Congress.
In the fall, while still working for Congressman Kleberg, LBJ briefly attends evening classes at Georgetown University's Law School in Washington, D.C.
In the fall, while still working for Congressman Kleberg, LBJ briefly attends evening classes at Georgetown University's Law School in Washington, D.C.
Lady Bird in live oak
Meets Lady Bird
September 1934
On a trip home to Texas, LBJ meets Claudia Alta "Lady Bird" Taylor through a mutual friend. On a drive after their first date at the Driskill Hotel in Austin, Texas, LBJ asks Lady Bird to marry him. She does not give him an immediate answer.
LBJ and Lady Bird Honeymoon in Xochimilco, Mexico, 1934
Marries Lady Bird
November 17, 1934
Upon hearing Lady Bird is willing to discuss marriage upon his return to Texas, LBJ drives nonstop from Washington, D.C. to Texas the next day. They marry at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in San Antonio, Texas.
LBJ resigns as Congressman Kleberg's secretary and accepts President Roosevelt's appointment as the Texas Director of the National Youth Administration (NYA). At 26, he is the youngest state director, and perhaps the youngest statewide administrator of any New Deal program.
President Franklin D. Roosevelt shakes Congressman Johnson's hand
Elected to Congress
April 10, 1937
LBJ resigns as NYA Texas Director and enters the special election for the 10th Congressional District. He handily wins the April 10, 1937 election. Congressional highlights: Establishment of the largest electric cooperative, Pedernales Electric Cooperative in Johnson City, Texas, and the first federal public housing project, Santa Rita Courts, in Austin, Texas.
LBJ is commissioned Lieutenant Commander in the U.S. Naval Reserve.
LBJ is commissioned Lieutenant Commander in the U.S. Naval Reserve.
1941 senate campaign launch
Loses Senate Election
June 28, 1941
LBJ runs for the remaining term of Senator Morris Sheppard, who had suffered a fatal brain hemorrhage. He is defeated by conservative Texas Governor W. Lee "Pappy" O'Daniel by 1,311 votes. He keeps his congressional seat.
Lt. Commander Lyndon. B Johnson at the Seven Mile Air Drome, New Guinea, 1942
Awarded the Silver Star
June 18, 1942
LBJ receives the Silver Star from General Douglas MacArthur for gallantry in action during an aerial combat mission over hostile positions in New Guinea.
"After a dramatic campaign in which he traveled by newfangled helicopter all over Texas, LBJ defeats former Texas Governor Coke Stevenson in the Democratic primary race for the Senate seat vacated by Senator W. Lee 'Pappy' O'Daniel.
He squeaked out a controversial victory by 87 votes, earning the nickname 'Landslide Lyndon.' He would go on to win the general election on Nov. 2, 1948."
As Senate Majority Leader, LBJ serves as chairman of the Democratic Policy Committee, Democratic Steering Committee, and Democratic Conference of the Senate.
LBJ suffers a near-fatal heart attack while visiting George Brown's estate in Middleburg, Virginia. He is released from Bethesda Naval Hospital on Aug. 7 and then returns to the LBJ Ranch on Aug. 25 to recuperate. He would not return to Washington until Dec. 11, 1955.
Preliminary meeting of the Senate Armed Services Preparedness Subcommittee, 1957
American Space Program Hearings
October 4, 1957
As Chairman of the Senate Armed Services Preparedness Subcommittee, he begins hearings on the American space program following the launch of the Russian satellite, Sputnik.
Senator John F. Kennedy and Senator Lyndon B. Johnson
Second Presidential Nomination
July 13, 1960
Speaker of the House of Representatives Sam Rayburn nominates LBJ for president at the Democratic National Convention. LBJ receives 409 votes. Senator John F. Kennedy receives the nomination with 806 votes.
Kennedy asks him to join the ticket as vice president.
The Kennedy-Johnson ticket wins. LBJ is elected as Vice President of the United States. He is also re-elected to his third term in the United States Senate.
After nearly 40 years of public service, President Johnson returned to Texas and retired to his ranch, near Stonewall, Texas, with Lady Bird and his dog, Yuki.
President Johnson greets crowd in Texas
Last Day as President
January 20, 1969
Following the inauguration of President Richard M. Nixon, LBJ returns to Texas and is welcomed by crowds of well-wishers at the Austin airport and at his ranch near Stonewall, Texas.
LBJ dedicates his reconstructed birthplace and boyhood home at a ceremony at his Texas ranch. The homes were then turned over to the care of the National Park Service.
Lady Bird Johnson, President Nixon, and LBJ at the dedication of the LBJ Presidential Library
Dedication of the LBJ Library
May 22, 1971
In a ceremony attended by the sitting president, Richard Nixon, and numerous dignitaries, the LBJ Library and LBJ School of Public Affairs open on the campus of The University of Texas at Austin.
Texas White House donated to National Park Service
1972
The Johnsons donate the Texas White House, their private home, to the National Park Service and the American people.
The family, however, did retain lifetime rights to use the home. Lady Bird continued to live there part-time until her death in 2007. The house would later officially open to the public on LBJ's birthday, Aug. 27, in 2008.
The Civil Rights Symposium took place Dec. 11-12, 1972 and was composed of speeches and panel discussions by contemporary civil rights leaders and politicians.
While in his bedroom in his Texas ranch home, LBJ suffered his third heart attack and passes away.
President Nixon announced his death to the nation along with news that peace was at hand in Vietnam as cease-fire agreements had been drawn up with the North Vietnamese. "No one would have welcomed peace more than [President Johnson]," Nixon said.
LBJ is buried in the Johnson family cemetery at his Texas ranch. The ceremony is conducted by his close friend, Rev. Billy Graham.
"Here amidst these familiar hills and under these expansive skies and under these beautiful oak trees he loved so much, his earthly life has come a full circle."
