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Gerald R. Ford 1913-2006
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Image above:
Gerald Rudolph
Ford, Jr. |
From 1974 until 1977, Gerald Ford was the
38th president of the United States.
It is said that in his youth,
Ford loved sports but was a bit clumsy.
Originally called
Leslie Lynch King, Jr. the man changed his name when his mother
re-married and his step-father adopted him.
In
World War
II, Gerald fought in the South Pacific.
When
President Nixon's vice
president
Spiro T. Agnew had to resign, Gerald took his office. When the president
himself resigned, Gerald became president without election.
On August 9, 1974, and on occasion of
taking the oath of office as president, Gerald Ford gave his
Inaugural Address, although Ford said it was not an
Inaugural Address, but let's call it what it was.
So far, by the way, Ford was the only
unelected president in U.S. history.
His Vice President was Nelson A.
Rockefeller.
Now, what to do with Nixon?
Gerald Ford granted Nixon full pardon,
which severely ticked some people off. He kept Nixon's staff as far as
possible, including
Henry A.
Kissinger.
Here is
Ford's speech in which he announced Nixon's pardon. He
delivered it from the Oval Office of the White House on September 8,
1974.
And here is more on the
Watergate
Scandal.
Gerald Ford Assassination Attempts
Two ladies tried to assassinate Gerald
R. Ford, but Gerald's
Secret Service was on top of things both times.
First incident
On September 5, 1975, President Gerald Ford was walking from his
hotel to the state capitol building in Sacramento, California, when
Lynette "Squeaky" Fromme suddenly aimed a Colt .45 pistol at
Ford. One of Ford's bodyguards, Secret Service Agent Larry
Buendorf, grabbed the gun and disarmed her. Ford was rushed into
the building.
Second incident
On September 22, 1975, President Gerald Ford leaves his hotel in San
Francisco, California, when Sara Jane Moore fired a shot from
her Smith & Wesson .38 revolver, narrowly missing Ford but striking
a taxi driver in the crowd. Other spectators disarmed Moore. Ford
was rushed into his car.
Check out
Assassinations in History.
Gerald Ford was married to Elizabeth Anne Bloomer. They had four
children.
Jimmy Carter became 39th
president of the United States.
Check the
US Election
Map 1796 - 1968.
Check
Governments in History Chart.
See also the
American Timeline.
More History
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