Gerald Ford Career Timeline

U.S. Congressman: First Term

Nov 2, 1948

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

Gerald Ford in the House

1953

At the start of his second term in the House, Ford is appointed to the Appropriations Committee. Ford invites Richard Nixon to Grand Rapids to give the annual Lincoln Day Speech. In February 1952 he and other young Republican Congressmen sent a letter urging General Dwight D. Eisenhower to enter the Presidential race.

Nixon’s first vice president

Oct 10, 1973

Spiro Agnew becomes the first U.S. vice president to resign in disgrace. The same day, he pleaded no contest to a charge of federal income tax evasion in exchange for the dropping of charges of political corruption.

Gerald Ford becomes Vice President

Dec 6, 1973

Gerald Ford became the first vice president in U.S. history to be installed under the 25th Amendment. In December Ford takes the oath of office and delivers a speech on the momentous occasion.

Gerald Ford becomes President

Aug 9, 1974

Gerald Ford took office on August 9, 1974. After the resignation of President Richard Nixon, who resigned from the White House in disgrace over the Watergate scandal. Gerald Ford became the first unelected president in the nation’s history.

How did Gerald Ford decide to handle Nixon after his resignation?

Oct 17, 1974

Gerald Ford gave a pardon to Nixon after his resignation.

Vice President after Gerald Ford

Dec 19, 1974

Vice President Ford became President after Richard Nixon resigned, and he nominated Nelson Rockefeller to fill the Vice Presidential vacancy left by him.

Gerald Ford as President

Aug 1, 1975

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.