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Early Politics of Ford
Fords political career didn't take off until 1948 when he was elected to the House of Representatives, were he would serve for the next 25 years were he earned a reputation as a friendly, honest, hardworking Republican. https://www.history.com/topics/us-presidents/gerald-r-ford -
Gerald Ford becomes Minority Leader
Gerald Ford became the House Minority Leader in January of 1965 after challenging Charles Halleck from Indiana for the position a month earlier. The House later favored Ford over Halleck after a 73 to 67 vote.https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gerald_Ford -
The Ratification of the 25th Amendment
Was when Congress approved the the 25th Amendment on July 6, 1965 and later the states ratified it on February 10, 1967. The reason why was because the Constitution did not specify whether the Vice President would become acting President or Acting President if the President were to die, resign, be removed from office or become disabled. https://www.fordlibrarymuseum.gov/library/exhibits/amendment25/25thamendment.html -
Nixon's First Vice President Resigns
Spiro Agnew, Nixons first Vice President resigns from office after multiple allegations and scandals are pointed at him, he later sends a letter to President Nixon as well as Secretary of State Henry Kissinger informing them that this cannot be resolved without a divisive and deliberating struggle in Congress and the Supreme Court. https://www.thecrimson.com/article/1973/10/11/text-of-letters-from-agnew-to/ -
Gerald Ford becomes Vice President
On October 12, 1973, two days after Agnew resigned President Nixon gives an address and announcement to Congress and other diplomats of who he's going to pick as nominee for Vice President. He then gives an explanation and characteristics of what his nominee has and says that he fits all the following criteria of leadership for this country. He then announces Gerald Ford as his nomination for Vice President. Ford then later took the oath of office on December 6, 1973. fordlibrarymuseum.gov -
Gerald Ford is told about the "Smoking" gun tapes
On August 1, 1974, Ford is notified by the Chief of Staff that the "smoking" gun tapes are found which is vital evidence that shows President Nixon's involvement in Watergate. The Chief later told ford that the evidence in there was devastating and that their probably will be an impeachment or resignation. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gerald_Ford -
Gerald Ford Inaugurated as President
On Friday August 9, Ford is inaugurated as President of the United States immediately following former President Nixons resignation from the presidency after he was force to hand over the tapes to the Supreme Court and Congress for his collaboration in the Watergate scandal. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inauguration_of_Gerald_Ford -
Ford Pardons Nixon
On September 8, Ford pardons former president Nixon for any crimes he might have committed against the U.S. as president. In October he later when to Congress to explain why he had chosen to pardon his predecessor. Ford then said the reason he did it was to put the tragic and disruptive scandal behind all concerned and also thought that a long, drawn-out trial would have further polarize the public. https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/ford-explains-his-pardon-of-nixon-to-congress
