First inauguration of Lyndon B. Johnson
Lyndon B. Johnson taking the oath of office on Air Force One following the assassination of John F. Kennedy, Dallas, Texas.
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| Date | November 22, 1963 |
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| Location | Air Force One, Love Field, Dallas, Texas |
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President of the United States, Lyndon B. Johnson |
The first inauguration of Lyndon B. Johnson as the 36th President of the United States was held on Friday, November 22, 1963 aboard Air Force One at Love Field, following the assassination of President John F. Kennedy earlier that day. The inauguration marked the commencement of the first term (a partial term of 1 year, 59 days) of Lyndon B. Johnson as President. This was the eighth non-scheduled, extraordinary inauguration to take place since the presidency was established in 1789.
At 12:30 pm Central Standard Time on November 22, Kennedy was shot in Dallas while riding with his wife, Jacqueline, in the presidential motorcade. Vice President Johnson was riding in a car behind the president with his wife, Lady Bird Johnson, and Texas Senator Ralph Yarborough. Immediately after shots were fired, Johnson was thrown down and sat on by Secret Service agent Rufus Youngblood, and the President's and Vice President's cars sped to Parkland Memorial Hospital.
There were initial reports that Johnson might have also been shot, slightly wounded in the arm or that he had suffered another heart attack (he had suffered one eight years earlier that nearly killed him). Mrs. Johnson confirmed to reporters that he was fine and did not suffer any injury or illness other than being shaken at what he'd seen.
In the hospital, Johnson was surrounded by Secret Service agents, who encouraged him to return to Washington in case he too was targeted for assassination. Johnson wished to wait until he knew of Kennedy's condition; at 1:20 pm he was told Kennedy was dead and left the hospital almost twenty minutes later.
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