LBJ sworn in for a full term as U.S. President, Humphrey as 38th VP 50 years ago this hour (Jan 20 1965)


Video: 'Inauguration of the President and Vice President, 1/20/1965. MP802.'

(Wednesday, January 20, 1965, 12:03 p.m. EST) — Lyndon Baines Johnson of Texas began his first full term as President today with a pledge that the nation aspired “to nothing that belongs to others” but sought only “man’s dominion over tyranny and misery.” (click here for more clips from Jan. 20, 1965, at 1:48:43/1:52:31 from “American Experience: LBJ”).

Johnson spoke for 22 minutes after being sworn in by Chief Justice Earl Warren.

Before the president took his oath Hubert Horatio Humphrey, the former Senator from Minnesota, was sworn in by Speaker of the House John W. McCormack as Vice President.

Up to that moment, McCormack had been first in line of succession to the presidency due to the vacancy of the vice presidency created by the Nov. 22, 1963 assassination of President John F. Kennedy.

It was the last such vacancy of the vice presidency before the ratification of the 25th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution that established procedures for filling the position before the next term of office.


Video: 'American Experience The Kennedys PBS Documentary' (Jan. 20, 1965, at 55:55)