Nov. 22, 1963 | LBJ Takes Oath of Office

Nov. 22, 1963 - Vice President Lyndon Baines Johnson, who was riding in the third car behind the late President John F. Kennedy’s car in Dallas today, was sworn in as the 36th President of the United States at 2:39 p.m. Central Standard Time. Mr. Johnson, 55 years old, was not injured in today’s shooting. He took the oath in the Presidential jet plane as it stood on the runway at Love Field in Dallas. The body of Mr. Kennedy was aboard the plane. Standing beside Mr. Johnson as he took the oath of office was Mrs. Jacqueline Kennedy. Her stockings were spattered with her husband’s blood. Mr. Johnson was sworn in as President by Federal Judge Sarah T. Hughes of the Northern District of Texas. She was appointed to the judgeship by President Kennedy in October 1961. The ceremony, delayed about five minutes for Mrs. Kennedy’s arrival from Parkland Memorial Hospital, took place in the private Presidential cabin in the rear of the plane. About 25 to 30 persons — members of the late President’s staff, members of Congress who had been accompanying the President on a two-day tour of Texas, and a few reporters — crowded into the little room. Mrs. Kennedy stood at the left of Mr. Johnson, her eyes and face showing signs of weeping. Mrs. Johnson stood at her husband’s right. As Judge Hughes read the brief oath of office, her eyes were red from weeping. After taking the oath, Mr. Johnson made no statement. He embraced Mrs. Kennedy, and she held his hand for a long moment. He also embraced Mrs. Johnson and Mrs. Evelyn Lincoln, Mr. Kennedy’s private secretary. “Okay,” Mr. Johnson said. “Let’s get this plane back to Washington.” The plane then took off for Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland.

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