ADVERTISEMENT

Gerald Ford

38th President of the United States

Gerald Ford, a Republican politician, served as the 38th President of the United States from 1974 to 1977. He also held the position of Vice President under President Nixon. Ford is known for granting a controversial pardon to Nixon and signing the Helsinki Accords during his presidency. Despite losing the 1976 election, he remained active in the Republican Party until his death in 2006.

Related

Henry Ford Richard Nixon Ronald Reagan Jimmy Carter Bill Clinton Herbert Hoover Warren G. Harding George W. Bush Watergate scandal Al Gore

Timeline

Birth of Gerald Ford

Gerald Ford, originally named Leslie Lynch King Jr., was born on January 14, 1913, in Omaha, Nebraska. His name was later changed to Gerald Ford Jr. after his mother married Gerald Ford, Sr.

Birth of Gerald R. Ford Jr.

Gerald R. Ford Jr., the nation’s only unelected president and vice president, was born Leslie Lynch King Jr. in Omaha, Nebraska, on July 14, 1913, the year his parents, Leslie and Dorothy King, divorced.

Honorably Discharged from U.S. Navy

In February 1946, Gerald Ford is honorably discharged from active duty in the United States Navy after being awarded several medals for his service during World War II.

Ford elected to first term as U.S. Congressman

Ford is elected to his first term as a U.S. Congressman from Grand Rapids, receiving 60.5% of the vote.

Ford sworn in as member of the Eighty-First Congress

Ford is sworn in as a member of the Eighty-First Congress. During his first year in the House, he is assigned to the Public Works Committee. He is also invited to tour the White House by President Harry S. Truman and helps organize the 'Chowder and Marching Club' of young Republican Congressmen with fellow House member Richard Nixon.

Ford and Boggs Visit Premier Chou En-Lai

Building upon President Nixon’s trip to the People’s Republic of China, Ford and Congressman Hale Boggs of Louisiana visit and meet with Premier Chou En-Lai (Zhou Enlai). This visit was significant in the context of U.S.-China relations during the Cold War.

Gerald R. Ford Inaugurated as President

Gerald R. Ford is sworn in as the thirty-eighth President of the United States.

Gerald Ford Becomes President

Gerald Ford became the 38th President of the United States after Richard Nixon's resignation.

Ford's Address to Congress

Ford addresses a Joint Session of Congress, emphasizing the need to bring inflation under control as his first priority and expressing his desire for a productive relationship with Congress.

Ford's Pardon of Richard Nixon

Ford pardons Richard Nixon for any crimes he may have committed as President, causing a significant drop in his approval rating.

Proclamation 4311—Granting Pardon to Richard Nixon

President Ford grants a full pardon to former President Nixon in an effort to heal the political division caused by the impeachment. However, this decision faces disapproval from many Americans.

Testimony before House Judiciary Committee

Gerald Ford provided a lengthy statement regarding the pardon of Richard Nixon and responded to questions from Committee members. His appearance for testimony was a rare occurrence, with only Abraham Lincoln and Woodrow Wilson having done so while in office.

President Ford's Visit to Japan, South Korea, and the Soviet Union

On November 17, 1974, President Ford departed for a historic visit to Japan, marking the first visit by an American President to the country, as well as visits to South Korea and the Soviet Union.

Investigation of U.S. Steel Corporation Price Increase

Following the U.S. Steel Corporation decision to raise prices 10 percent, President Ford ordered the Wage and Price Control Council to investigate and obtain justification for such action on December 17, 1974.

Meeting between Ford and Leonid Brezhnev

President Ford meets with Leonid Brezhnev, General Secretary of the Communist Party of the U.S.S.R., in Vladivostok, U.S.S.R.

President Ford's State of the Union Address

President Ford delivered his State of the Union message before a joint session of Congress, expressing the state of the union as 'not good' and calling for support.

Ford's Address to Congress on South Vietnam and Cambodia

As North Vietnamese Army Divisions advance towards Saigon, President Ford appeals to Congress for financial aid for South Vietnam and Cambodia, but his request is unsuccessful. Two Democratic representatives walk out in protest during the speech.

Khmer Rouge takeover of Cambodia

The communist Khmer Rouge successfully advance on the capital Phnom Penh, leading to the takeover of Cambodia on April 17, 1975.

Emergency evacuation of American personnel and South Vietnamese nationals

As Saigon falls to Communist forces, President Ford orders the emergency evacuation of American personnel and high-risk South Vietnamese nationals on April 28, 1975.

Mayaguez incident and Marine rescue

Newly Communist Cambodia seizes the U.S. merchant ship, Mayaguez, on May 12, 1975. In response, President Ford orders Marines to rescue the ship's crew.

Mayaguez Incident

Marines move onto Koh Tang, an island off the shore of Cambodia in search of captured sailors of the Mayaguez. Fierce fighting results in the death of fifteen Marines, but the sailors are not found. President Ford orders airstrikes on the Cambodian mainland. The crew of the Mayaguez is eventually released at 10:35 PM.

Rescue of U.S. merchant ship Mayaguez

Communist Cambodia seizes the U.S. merchant ship Mayaguez in international waters, prompting Ford to order Marines to rescue the ship’s crew. The action results in the safe recovery of the civilians and averts a long hostage crisis, but unfortunately, many Marines die. This event signals U.S. resolve despite the defeat in Vietnam.

Ford's Trip to Europe and Signing of the Final Act

Ford departs on a trip to Europe for visits to West Germany, Poland, Finland, Romania, and Yugoslavia. In Helsinki, Ford joins leaders of 34 nations in signing the Final Act of the Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe. The Act’s human rights provisions greatly help East Europeans seeking an end to their communist regimes.

Attempted assassination of President Ford

Lynette “Squeaky” Fromme attempts to assassinate President Ford in San Francisco, highlighting the security challenges faced by the President during this time.

Assassination Attempt by Sara Jane Moore

Sara Jane Moore, a woman with ties to left-wing radical groups, attempts to assassinate President Ford in San Francisco, California.

Second Assassination Attempt in San Francisco

A shot was fired at the President as he left a hotel in San Francisco.

Sunday Morning Massacre

Henry Kissinger resigns as National Security adviser but retains the position of Secretary of State. Additionally, William Colby is dismissed as director of Central Intelligence, and James Schlesinger is removed as Secretary of Defense, all on the same day.

Halloween Massacre: Ford orders cabinet reorganization

President Ford reorganizes his cabinet, appointing key figures such as Donald Rumsfeld as Defense Secretary, Elliot Richardson as Commerce Secretary, George Bush as CIA Director, and Richard Cheney as White House Chief of Staff. This event also sees Vice President Nelson Rockefeller withdrawing from consideration as Ford's 1976 running mate.

Ronald Reagan announces challenge to Gerald Ford

Former California Governor Ronald Reagan announces his intention to challenge Gerald Ford for the Republican presidential nomination in 1976.

Ford nominates Judge John Paul Stevens to Supreme Court

President Gerald Ford nominates Judge John Paul Stevens of the Seventh Circuit of the Court of Appeals in Chicago to the United States Supreme Court to replace retiring Justice William O. Douglas. The Senate unanimously approves Stevens by a 98-0 vote.

President Ford departs for visits to People's Republic of China, the Philippines, and Indonesia

President Ford embarks on visits to the People's Republic of China, the Philippines, and Indonesia, demonstrating the United States' diplomatic engagement with key Asian nations during this period.

Treaty with Soviet Union on Nuclear Testing

President Ford signs a treaty with the Soviet Union limiting underground nuclear testing.

Acceptance of Republican Party Nomination for President

On August 19, 1976, Gerald Ford accepted the nomination for President of the Republican Party after a challenging primary against Ronald Reagan. Ford narrowly beat Reagan on the first ballot by a vote of 1187 – 1070.

Ford signs Government in the Sunshine Act

President Ford signs the Government in the Sunshine Act, which mandates that many government regulatory agencies must provide advance notice of meetings and conduct open meetings. The act also amends the Freedom of Information Act by limiting agencies' ability to withhold information from the public.

Publication of Ford's Memoir, A Time to Heal

Former President Ford's memoir, A Time to Heal, is released to the public, providing insights into his presidency and personal experiences.

Ford awarded Presidential Medal of Freedom

President Ford is honored with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian award in the United States, by President Clinton.

Ford receives Congressional Gold Medal

President Ford is presented with the Congressional Gold Medal, the highest award bestowed by the Legislative branch of the United States government.

Appointment to National Commission on Federal Election Reform

Following the closely contested 2000 Presidential election, Former Presidents Ford and Carter are named as honorary Co-Chairmen of the National Commission on Federal Election Reform.

Profiles in Courage Award from John F. Kennedy Foundation

Ford is presented with the Profiles in Courage Award by the John F. Kennedy Foundation for putting the nation’s interest above his own political future with the pardon of Richard Nixon.

National Day of Prayer and Remembrance Ceremony

Following the September 11, 2001 attacks on the United States, President and Mrs. Ford attend the National Day of Prayer and Remembrance ceremony at the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C.

Death of President Ford

On December 26, 2006, President Ford passed away at his home in Rancho Mirage, leaving behind a legacy of leadership and service to the nation.

End of the Timeline
Gerald Ford

Popular

Southeast Asian city-state known for its economy

Chinese business magnate, philanthropist, and Alibaba co-founder.

Jack Ma

Short-form video hosting service

TikTok

Country in West Asia and the Middle East.

Saudi Arabia

Lockheed Martin

American aerospace and defense corporation

ADVERTISEMENT

Recently Added

Brighton & Hove Albion F.C.

English professional football club in Brighton and Hove

Professional football club in West London

Burnley F.C. is a football club in Lancashire

A.F.C. Bournemouth

Football club with roots dating back to 1890

Gustave Courbet

French Realism painter and innovator

ADVERTISEMENT