Video: '1976 US Presidential Election - ABC Election Night Coverage'

(Tuesday, November 2, 1976, during the 1976 presidential campaign) — Democratic former Governor Jimmy Carter of Georgia was elected President of the United States today over Republican incumbent President Gerald Ford of Michigan.

Video: '1976 US Presidential Election - CBS Election Night Coverage - 7:00PM-12:00AM'

Carter and his running mate, Senator Walter Mondale of Minnesota, narrowly defeated Ford and his running mate, Bob Dole of Kansas, 50.1-48.0% in the national popular vote, which would result in a 297-240 victory in the Electoral College (electoral votes cast Dec. 13, 1976, tabulated by a joint session of Congress on Jan. 6, 1977).

Video: 'Election Night 1976: Jimmy Carter vs. Gerald Ford | Full News Coverage'

Ford had succeeded to the presidency upon the resignation of Richard Nixon in August 1974, the first president who had not been elected president or vice president upon assuming office.

Video: 'The American Presidential Election of 1976'

Carter and Mondale would be sworn in for four-year terms on January 20, 1977.

Video: 'The 1976 Election Explained'