Lyndon B. Johnson

Lyndon Baines Johnson, vice president under Kennedy and, after Kennedy’s assassination, his successor in 1963, was a forceful political figure who took the lead on many Democratic social and political policy advances.  Johnson was a vociferous advocate of the American space program, and was instrumental in bringing it to his home state: NASA’s center in Houston is now named for him.  Read more about his tasks and accomplishments from the White House Web site.

The Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum at the University of Texas, in LBJ’s home state, is a memorial institution for Johnson as well as for his wife Lady Bird, who died this year. Find biographical resources and information on Library-sponsored projects that continue the goals of the presidential couple.

A short piece about an LBJ-related art exhibit includes paintings by a variety of artists depicting Johnson’s personality and accomplishments. The art, displayed at the Johnson Library and Museum, attempts to soften the perception of a “hard-edged” Johnson. The Archives notes a memorable milestone: “LBJ pushed three civil rights bills through Congress, forever outlawing voter literacy tests and discrimination in employment, public places, and housing.”

Lyndon Johnson’s childhood home was reconstructed during his presidency and is now a National Historical Park. The house is interpreted in the style of the late 19th century and includes the toys, trinkets, and artifacts of Johnson’s youth.

C-SPAN’s “American Presidents” project was created several years ago and is still hosted on the Web site. On Lyndon Johnson’s page you’ll find statistics and tidbits about Johnson’s life, including information about his military service. On the right-hand side of the page are audio links to important speeches and addresses, including his famous “Great Society” speech.

PBS’s “American Experience” series, noted in our feature on John F. Kennedy presents a page on Johnson that is a detailed and meticulous look at the president, the era, the foreign policy developments, and his legacy. Try the interactive “Vote on the Issues” survey: fill it out yourself and travel back in time to 1964, when Johnson and Goldwater were running against each other for the presidency. Choose whose policies you agree with.

This audio and video archive from the American Presidency Project is a vast collection of speeches and addresses given by LBJ, spanning his entire presidency from 1963 to 1969. You can stream the files directly through your browser or download them to your computer.