Millions of Americans wanted to see the disgraced former president brought to justice. Some critics charged that Ford issued the pardon as part of a pre-arranged deal to reach the Oval Office.
During the remaining two years of his presidency, Ford faced a domestic energy crisis and a weak economy marked by high inflation and unemployment. He also struggled to work effectively with a heavily Democratic Congress. In fact, Ford vetoed 66 pieces of legislation that conflicted with his basic philosophy of fiscal conservatism. Unable to convince Congress to approve further military aid to South Vietnam, he could only watch as the country fell to North Vietnamese Communist forces in Later that year, however, Ford helped reduce tensions with the Soviet Union by signing the Helsinki Accords, which were meant to strengthen the relationship between Western nations and the communist countries of Europe.
Ford understood that his decision to pardon Nixon could have political consequences, and it probably cost him the presidency in That year, he lost a close election to Democrat Jimmy Carter Ford took the loss in stride, however, telling friends that he had planned to retire from Congress that year anyway. He viewed his brief tenure in the Oval Office as an unexpected bonus at the end of a long career in politics.
Ford often said that he was pleased to have had the opportunity to help the nation emerge from the shadow of Watergate. The former president remained active in his retirement. He gave speeches, served on the boards of major corporations and indulged his passions for golf and downhill skiing. He and his wife, who battled alcoholism at a time when the disease was not publicly discussed, also opened the Betty Ford Clinic in California to support research, treatment and rehabilitation for alcohol addiction.
Ford died on December 26, , at his home in Rancho Mirage, California, at the age of Start your free trial today. But if you see something that doesn't look right, click here to contact us!
Subscribe for fascinating stories connecting the past to the present. Betty Ford was an American first lady and the wife of Gerald Ford, the 38th president of the United States. Ford realized the power of her position as first lady early on, when she was diagnosed with breast cancer shortly after her husband took office. To earn spending money he worked for the family paint business and at a local restaurant. He was also active in Scouting, and achieved the rank of Eagle Scout in November — the only American President to do so.
From to Mr. At a time of national economic hardship, he financed his education with part-time jobs, a small scholarship from his high school, and modest family assistance. An extremely gifted athlete, Mr. In tribute to one of its greatest student-athletes, Michigan subsequently retired Mr. Ford Award, which is presented annually to an individual who has provided significant leadership as an advocate for intercollegiate athletics on a continuous basis over the course of their career.
The award is presented annually to an outstanding former collegiate or professional football center, who has also made significant contributions to his community through philanthropic or business endeavors. FORD chose the legal profession over a professional football career. To help pay for law school, he initially took a dual position as assistant varsity football coach and boxing coach at Yale University, where he coached future U. Senators Robert Taft, Jr. He enrolled in Yale Law School, while also continuing his coaching responsibilities.
Senator Peter Dominick, and author William Lord. After returning to Michigan and passing the bar exam, Mr. FORD promptly joined the U. Naval Reserve, where he received a commission as an ensign in April and subsequently was appointed lieutenant commander. Following an orientation program at Annapolis, he became an instructor at a pre-flight school in Chapel Hill, NC. In spring , he began service on the light aircraft carrier USS Monterey. Initially assigned as a gunnery division officer, then assistant navigator, he took part in major operations in the South Pacific, including the battles for Truk, Saipan, Guam, Formosa, Marianas, and the Philippines.
During a vicious typhoon in the Philippine Sea in December , he came within inches of being swept overboard. Severely damaged by the storm and a resulting fire, the ship had to be taken out of service. Returning home to Grand Rapids, Mr. In , with the encouragement of his hometown political hero, Senator Arthur Vandenberg, and reinforced by his stepfather, who was county Republican chairman, Mr.
In the subsequent general election that fall, he received 61 percent of the vote. On October 15, at the height of the fall campaign, Mr.
For over 58 years their partnership flourished, enriched immeasurably by their four children, Michael, John Jack , Steven, and Susan, their seven grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
The new Congressman quickly established a reputation for personal integrity, hard work, and the ability to deal effectively with both Republicans and Democrats—qualities that would define his entire political career. In , President Truman invited him to the White House for a personal tour to examine the dilapidated and dangerous conditions of the White House. FORD subsequently was instrumental in securing necessary congressional funding to rebuild and modernize the White House during the Truman Presidency.
He declined offers in the s to run for both the Senate and the Michigan Governorship. His political ambition was specific—to become Speaker of the House. He also survives a typhoon in the Pacific that batters the Monterey on December 18, Spring Ford is promoted to Lieutenant Commander and assigned to Glenview, Illinois, to train new naval officers for sea duty. February Ford is honorably discharged from active duty in the United States Navy. Influenced by his experience in the war and the internationalist views of Senator Arthur Vandenberg, Ford resumes his involvement in reforming Grand Rapids politics.
June 14, Ford announces his candidacy for the Republican nomination for U. He challenges the isolationist foreign policy approach of incumbent Bartel Jonkman, a McKay associate. September 14, Ford defeats Jonkman 23, to 14, in the Republican primary. Marrying in the middle of his congressional campaign, the couple honeymoon briefly in Ann Arbor, attend the University of Michigan-Northwestern football game, and then drive to Owosso, Michigan to attend a rally for Republican Presidential candidate Thomas Dewey.
November 2, Ford is elected to his first term as a U. Congressman from Grand Rapids, receiving January 3, 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. January At the start of his second term in the House, Ford is appointed to the Appropriations Committee.
Eisenhower to enter the Presidential race. As a member of this committee, he witnesses test firings of project NIKE that developed the first operational anti-aircraft missile, the Nike-Ajax. August Ford takes a three-week tour of U. November 4, After declining a run for U.
Senate, Ford wins his fourth term as Congressman. He serves on this subcommittee for ten years and learns of programs such as U-2 and Bay of Pigs. He visits a Hungarian refugee camp in Austria. Spring The Fords move into their newly completed house in Alexandria, Virginia. November 6, After declining an opportunity to run for Michigan Governor, Ford wins election to his fifth term as Congressman.
In September Ford spends 3 days touring Moscow and 10 days in Poland on fact-finding missions. November 6, Ford is re-elected to his eighth term, despite declining Republican numbers in the House. On September 27, , they would publish their conclusion that there was no evidence of a conspiracy in the assassination of President Kennedy.
Ford would later publish a book about the assassination, Portrait of an Assassin, with friend John R. Ford is elected to his ninth term as Congressman. He also campaigns on behalf of Republican candidates during the midterm elections. November 8, Ford wins his tenth election as Congressman with 68 percent of the vote.
Republicans make strong gains in the mid-term elections. Nixon, however, chooses Maryland Governor Spiro Agnew. November 5, Nixon is elected President; Ford is elected to his eleventh term as House member. Douglas from the Supreme Court for what Ford believes to be inappropriate judicial conduct.
The matter is later turned over to the House Judiciary Committee where the issue dies. November 7, Ford is elected to his thirteenth and final term as a Congressman from Michigan. Realizing he may never achieve his goal to become Speaker of the House, Ford contemplates retirement after October 10, Spiro Agnew, under investigation for accepting bribes and income tax evasion while Governor of Maryland, resigns as Vice President of the United States.
He is the first Vice President nominated under the 25th amendment to the Constitution. Ford takes the oath as the fortieth Vice President of the United States in front of a joint session of Congress. Before Nevada acted as the 38th state to ratify the 25th Amendment in February , a different line of presidential succession existed.
Ford quickly acknowledged the situation after taking an oath administered by Chief Justice Warren Burger. But I assume the Presidency under extraordinary circumstances never before experienced by Americans. Our Constitution works; our great Republic is a government of laws and not of men. Here the people rule. Born Leslie Lynch King, Jr.
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