Showing posts with label LBJ's takes oath. Show all posts
Showing posts with label LBJ's takes oath. Show all posts

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

In his The Death of the President (1967), William Manchester writes that JFK aide Larry O'Brien said there is "tension on the plane" between LBJ's "people" & JFK's. 

Mrs. Kennedy enters the stateroom where LBJ, his wife, Lady Bird, & Judge Sarah T. Hughes are waiting.  LBJ shakes Jackie's hand & says:
   
"This is the saddest moment in my life".*

Mrs. Hughes will be the 1st woman to administer a Presidential oath.  She has been appointed to the Federal bench in Texas by JFK.  As she is about to begin, someone says:
 
"What about a Bible"?


JFK kept his personal Bible in the nightstand of his private cabin.  It was quickly brought up to the stateroom.  The leather cover bears a gold cross & on the inside are the initials "JFK".

Cecil Stoughton prepares to take "the most important photograph of his life".  It is 2:38 p.m. (CST).


 LBJ officially becomes the 36th President of the United States.  

His first order is brief: "Let 'er roll".*


*from The Death of a President.