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Gerald Ford becomes House Minority Leader
On December 19, 1964, Gerald Ford announces he would challenge the incumbent Charles Halleck of Indiana for House Minority Leader. He became the Minority Leader on January 4, 1965 when the House of Representatives voted in favor of Ford over Halleck by a vote of 73-67. -
Introduction of 25th Amendment
In 1965, the 25th Amendment was introduced that stated that "In Case of the Removal of the President from Office, or of his Death, Resignation, or Inability to discharge the Powers and Duties of the said Office, the Same shall devolve on the Vice President" and that "Whenever there is a vacancy in the office of the Vice President, the President shall nominate a Vice President who shall take office upon confirmation by a majority vote of both Houses of Congress." It is ratified in February 1967. -
Watergate Scandal begins
On June 17, 1972, five burglars broke into the Democratic National Headquarters at the Watergate Hotel in Washington, D.C. After initial investigations, it was found that the perpetrators were linked to President Nixon's re-election campaign. As investigations and proceedings progressed, the Nixon administration became increasingly resistive and tried to suppress any actions taken against them. Nixon even took actions to fire the special prosecutor that was investigating his administration. -
Incumbent VP Spiro Agnew resigns
On October 10, 1972, incumbent Vice President of the United States Spiro Agnew resigns from his position amid the undergoing investigations on him accepting bribes and income tax evasion while Governor of Maryland. This starts a very brief period of a vacancy in the office of the Vice President. -
President Nixon nominates Ford for VP
On October 12, 1972, two days after the resignation of Spiro Agnew, President Richard Nixon nominated Gerald Ford for the office of the Vice President. Many of Nixon's advisors unanimously suggested that Ford be nominated as he was well-respected as a congressman and House Minority Leader. Ford was attempting to become Speaker of the House by trying to gain a Republican majority in the House but failed. He was planning to serve one more term as Minority Leader but accepted the VP nomination. -
Gerald Ford sworn in as Vice President
Following President Nixon's act to nominate Ford for the Vice Presidency, the legislative branch of the federal government had to hold votes over Ford's position. The United States Senate voted 92 to 3 to confirm Ford on November 27, 1973. On December 6, the House of Representatives confirmed Ford by a vote of 387 to 35. One hour after the confirmation vote in the House, Ford took the oath of office as Vice President of the United States and he was sworn in. -
President Nixon resigns
On August 9, 1974, President Nixon resigned from the Presidency amid the threat of impeachment and conviction, which was almost certain. He announced his resignation the evening before in a televised address to the American public stating "Therefore, [he] shall resign the Presidency effective at noon tomorrow." In his speech, he also said that "Vice President Ford will be sworn in as President at that hour in this office." His resignation was official at noon on August 9. -
Gerald Ford becomes President
On August 9, 1974, immediately following the resignation of Nixon, Gerald Ford was sworn in as the 38th President of the United States with Chief Justice Warren E. Burger administering the oath of office. With Ford's the inauguration, he became the only person to have held both the office of Vice President and President without having been elected to either. His presidency would last until January 20, 1977 when Democrat Jimmy Carter was inaugurated as the 39th President of the United States. -
Ford pardons Nixon
On September 8, 1974, President Ford granted to Nixon, his presidential predecessor, a full and unconditional pardon for any crimes that he might have committed against the United States as president. This means Nixon was not going to be tried or convicted for anything from the Watergate scandal.
