Gerald Rudolph FORD
1974 - August 9 - Gerald R. Ford (1913-2006) becomes 38th President of the United States after the resignation of Richard M. Nixon

Gerald Ford served as the 38th President of the United States from 1974 to 1977. He assumed office following the resignation of Richard Nixon amid the Watergate scandal, making him the first person to become president without being elected as either president or vice president. Ford’s presidency is notable for his controversial decision to pardon Nixon, which he believed was necessary for the nation to move forward. Domestically, he faced significant economic challenges, including inflation and unemployment, leading to his "Whip Inflation Now" (WIN) campaign. In foreign policy, Ford oversaw the final stages of the Vietnam War, including the evacuation of American personnel and some South Vietnamese from Saigon. His presidency was also marked by efforts to maintain détente with the Soviet Union. Despite his attempts to stabilize the country, Ford lost the 1976 presidential election to Jimmy Carter.


August 9, 1974

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