A Full Life & Lasting Legacy

Childhood & Education

Johnson grew up in the hardscrabble Texas Hill Country.

Lyndon B. Johnson at six months old

LBJ is Born

August 27, 1908

On August 27, 1908, Lyndon Baines Johnson is born in a small farmhouse on the Pedernales River near Stonewall, Texas.

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AUG 27 1908

Johnson family photo, ca. 1912

Starts School at 'Junction School' near Stonewall

1912

At the age of four, LBJ starts school in the one-room 'Junction School,' just up the road from his home. The school was forced to close early due to a whooping cough epidemic after only a few months.

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1912

LBJ with his siblings, ca. 1914

Moves to Johnson City

1913

The Johnson family moves from their home near Stonewall into nearby Johnson City.

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1913

LBJ with his Johnson City High School class, 1924

Graduates High School As Class President

May 24, 1924

LBJ graduates from Johnson City High School at the age of 15.

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MAY 24 1924

Formal portrait of LBJ at about 16 years old

Goes to California

1925

After high school graduation, LBJ moves to California with friends and performs odd jobs, including working as an elevator operator.

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1925

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. As a student, he becomes involved in campus life, eventually serving as editor of the university's newspaper, "The College Star," and president of the Press Club.

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1927

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.

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1928

LBJ in Southwest Texas State Teacher College's 1931 Pedagog

Graduates College

August 19, 1930

After his 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).

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AUG 19 1930

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.

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1930

Early Political Career

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 Leaves For Washington"

First Job in Washington

November 30, 1931

LBJ moves to Washington, D.C. to work as Texas Congressman Richard M. Kleberg's top administrative aide. In the position for approximately three years, he learns the ins and outs of Congress.

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NOV 30 1931

LBJ on the steps of the U.S. Capitol, ca. 1934

Speaker of "Little Congress"

1933 - 1935

LBJ is elected Speaker of the "Little Congress," an organization of congressional assistants.

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1933

Lady Bird in live oak, 1934

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.

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SEP 1934

Lady Bird and Lyndon B. Johnson outside the Capitol, 1934 or 1935

Whirlwind Courtship

1934

While LBJ is Washington, he and Lady Bird exchange nearly 90 letters during their whirlwind three-month courtship.

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1934

LBJ and Lady Bird honeymoon in Xochimilco, Mexico, 1934

Marries Lady Bird

November 17, 1934

Upon learning Lady Bird is willing to discuss marriage when he returns, LBJ drives nonstop from Washington, D.C. to Texas the next day. They marry at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in San Antonio, Texas.

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NOV 17 1934

LBJ visits an NYA project in Seguin, Texas, 1936

FDR Appointment to NYA

1935

In July of 1935, 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.

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1935

President Franklin D. Roosevelt shakes Congressman Johnson's hand (with Texas Governor James Allred), 1937

Elected to Congress

April 10, 1937

LBJ resigns from the NYA to run for special election to the Texas 10th Congressional district. He campaigns as a strong supporter of FDR and the New Deal and wins the election handily on April 10, 1937. Congressional highlights: Establishment of the first electric cooperative, Pedernales Electric Cooperative in Johnson City, and the first federal public housing project, Santa Rita Courts, in Austin. Serves on the House Committee on Naval Affairs.

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APR 10 1937

Military Service

June 21, 1940

LBJ is commissioned Lieutenant Commander in the U.S. Naval Reserve.

JUN 21 1940

1941 Senate campaign launch

Loses Senate Election

June 28, 1941

LBJ narrowly loses a special election to complete the term of Senator Morris Sheppard, who died in office on April 9. He is defeated by conservative Governor W. Lee "Pappy" O'Daniel by 1,311 votes. LBJ keeps his congressional seat.

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JUN 28 1941

Lyndon B. Johnson in Navy uniform, March 1942

Reports for Active Duty

December 9, 1941

After the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, LBJ volunteers for active military duty.

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DEC 9 1941

Lt. Commander Lyndon. B Johnson at the Seven Mile Air Drome, New Guinea, 1942

Awarded the Silver Star

June 18, 1942

LBJ is awarded the Silver Star by General Douglas MacArthur for "gallantry in action on a flight over enemy territory." LBJ had been aboard a bomber above New Guinea on June 9 when it was attacked by Japanese Zeros.

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JUN 18 1942

Lt. Commander Lyndon B. Johnson in Navy uniform, December 1941

Released From Active Duty

July 3, 1942

LBJ returns to Washington and goes on inactive duty after President Roosevelt recalls all serving members of Congress.

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JUL 3 1942

Congressman Lyndon B. Johnson with baby Lynda Bird, 1945

Lynda is Born

March 19, 1944

LBJ's first daughter, Lynda Bird, is born.

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MAR 19 1944

The Johnson family at home, 1948

Luci is Born

July 2, 1947

LBJ's second daughter, Luci Baines, is born.

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JUL 2 1947

LBJ makes a campaign stop on a newfangled helicopter, 1948

Wins Senate Primary

September 4, 1948

After an intense and exhausting campaign across Texas, LBJ wins the Democratic primary race for the Senate seat vacated by Senator W. Lee 'Pappy' O'Daniel. The controversy around his 87-vote margin over Coke Stevenson earns LBJ the nickname "Landslide Lyndon" but he goes on to easily win the general election on November 2.

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SEP 4 1948

Senate Armed Services and Foreign Relations Committee Hearing

Elected Senate Democratic Whip

1950

LBJ and General Eisenhower at a Senate Armed Services and Foreign Relations Committee Hearing, 1951.

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1950

Preliminary meeting of the Senate Armed Services Preparedness Subcommittee, 1957

Chairs the Armed Services Preparedness Subcommitte

September 1950

LBJ becomes chair of the new Armed Services Preparedness Investigating Subcommittee, which oversees a variety of issues related to national defense. The subcommittee is part of the Committee on Armed Services, where LBJ will serve for ten years.

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SEP 1950

LBJ in his U.S. Senate office

Elected Senate Democratic Whip

January 2, 1951

LBJ is elected the Democratic whip of the United States Senate, making him the second-most highly ranked member of his party in the Senate.

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JAN 2 1951

Senator Lyndon B. Johnson in the Senate chamber, 1953

Elected Senate Minority Leader

January 2, 1953

Two years after becoming the Democratic whip, LBJ moves up to become the leader of the Democratic party in the Senate when he is unanimously elected minority leader. He is 44 years old.

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JAN 2 1953

LBJ with newly elected Democratic Senators, 1955

Elected Senate Majority Leader

January 2, 1955

After Democrats take the Senate, LBJ is elected Senate majority leader, responsible for scheduling votes and coordinating his party's legislative strategy.

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JAN 2 1955

Lady Bird and LBJ at Bethesda Naval Hospital, July 30, 1955

Severe Heart Attack

July 2, 1955

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.

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JUL 2 1955

LBJ at the 1956 Democratic National Convention

Presidential Nomination

April 10, 1956

LBJ goes public with plans to lead the
Texas delegation to the Democratic national convention and stand as a "favorite son" candidate, a mark of his statewide popularity.

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APR 10 1956

Senators Richard Russell, Lyndon B. Johnson, and William Knowland discuss the 1957 civil rights bill.

Civil Rights Act of 1957

August 29, 1957

Under LBJ's skillful leadership, the Senate passes the Civil Rights Act of 1957. It is the first federal civil rights law in 82 years.

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AUG 29 1957

Sen. Lyndon B. Johnson with astronauts, 1959

American Space Program Hearings

November 25, 1957

In reaction to the startling launch of the Soviet satellite Sputnik in October, LBJ opens Preparedness Subcommittee hearings on the American space program. A year later, he helps pass the National Aeronautics and Space Act of 1958 and NASA is born.

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NOV 25 1957

Senator John F. Kennedy and Senator Lyndon B. Johnson at the Democratic National Convention, 1960

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.

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JUL 13 1960

1960 Democratic campaign poster

Elected to the Vice Presidency

November 8, 1960

The Kennedy-Johnson ticket wins and LBJ is elected Vice President of the United States.

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NOV 8 1960

Post-Presidency

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 at the airport in Austin, Jan. 20, 1969

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 in the Texas Hill Country.

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JAN 20 1969

Lady Bird and Lyndon Johnson at the Apollo 11 launch

Apollo 11 Launch

July 16, 1969

At President Nixon's request, LBJ attends the Apollo 11 launch at Cape Kennedy, Florida.

Apollo 11 carried astronauts Neil Armstrong, Edwin "Buzz" Aldrin, and Michael Collins. Four days later, humans walked on the moon for the very first time.

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JUL 16 1969

Walter Cronkite and LBJ

Walter Cronkite Visits LBJ Ranch

September 26, 1969

Journalist Walter Cronkite visits LBJ at his ranch, near Stonewall, Texas, for a CBS News interview.

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SEP 26 1969

President Johnson waves from his Model-T at the dedication

Dedication of Birthplace and Boyhood Home

June 13, 1970

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.

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JUN 13 1970

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.

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MAY 22 1971

LBJ with his memoir, "The Vantage Point"

LBJ's Memoir is Published

November 1, 1971

LBJ's memoir, "The Vantage Point: Perspective of the Presidency, 1963-1969," is published.

The writing of his memoir, with help by advisers from his administration, became a main priority for LBJ as soon as he began his retirement.

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NOV 1 1971

Lady Bird and Lyndon Johnson at the LBJ Ranch, Nov. 6, 1972

Texas White House Donated to National Park Service

December 1972

The Johnsons donate the Texas White House, their private home on the LBJ Ranch, to the National Park Service for 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.

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DEC 1972

LBJ's Remarks at the 1972 Civil Rights Symposium

LBJ's Last Public Appearance

December 12, 1972

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.

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DEC 12 1972

LBJ with his dog Yuki, Jan. 12, 1973

LBJ Passes Away

January 22, 1973

While in his bedroom in his Texas ranch home, LBJ suffers 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.

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JAN 22 1973

Mourners pay their respects to LBJ in the LBJ Library's Great Hall

Lying in Repose at the Library

January 23, 1973

The day after his passing, LBJ's body lay in repose in the Great Hall of the LBJ Library. More than 32,000 people stand in line to pay their respects.

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JAN 23 1973

President Richard M. Nixon, members of Congress, and others paying respects to President Lyndon B. Johnson

Lying in State at the U.S. Capitol

January 24, 1973

In a second day of tributes, LBJ lies in state in the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol after a somber procession.

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JAN 24 1973

LBJ's burial service

Buried at the LBJ Ranch

January 25, 1973

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."

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JAN 25 1973

The LBJ Timeline

Childhood & Education

LBJ is Born

Starts School at 'Junction School' near Stonewall

Moves to Johnson City

Graduates High School As Class President

Goes to California

Begins College

Teaches in Cotulla

Graduates College

Teaches in Pearsall and Houston

Become a Member

Stay in the Loop

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