Collections Spotlight: Inauguration Invitation Signed by Lyndon Baines Johnson in 1964
November 7, 2021
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By: Kaysey A. Richardson
Here at the Museum of World Treasures we have 8700 artifacts! But, did you know that only 12% of our collection is on display to the public? Although we often rotate out our exhibits, there are still some objects that rarely receive a moment to shine. This week, our Collections Spotlight is an inauguration invitation signed by Lyndon Baines Johnson in 1964.
The 1960s were a pivotal period in United States history for many reasons. With the rise of household televisions the United States was able to view events around the world like never before. Protests against Vietnam were breaking out, the country was still in the middle of the Cold War, and the assassination of President John F. Kennedy shook the world. In addition, the Civil Rights Movement was in full swing. Through the country’s turmoil, whether good or bad, President Lyndon Baines Johnson was the center of it all. Here are a few defining moments of Johnson’s presidency.
The 25th Amendment: Although it has been assumed in presidencies prior to Johnson’s, there had been no defining amendment in the constitution stating who would become president following the resignation or death of the President. This changed following the assassination of John F. Kennedy when Congress proposed and ratified the 25th Amendment. This amendment states that “in case of the removal of the President from office or his death or resignation, the Vice President shall become president.”
The Civil Rights Acts: One of the most positive and lasting parts of Johnson’s presidency was his passion for the civil rights of African Americans. Two important bills that Johnson signed during his presidency were the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965. On July 2, 1964, Johnson signed into law on national television the Civil Rights Act of 1964. This act prohibited discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, or national origin in public accommodations and federally funded programs. In addition, the bill strengthened the enforcement of voting rights and the desegregation of schools. The Voting Rights Act of 1965 was signed into law on August 6, 1965 by Johnson with the presence of Martin Luther King, Jr. and other civil rights leaders present. This law outlawed the discriminatory voting practices such as literacy tests that were still being practiced in the South.
Highway Beautification: One part of Johnson’s presidency that differed from his predecessors was the involvement of First Lady, Lady Bird Johnson. Never before had First Lady chosen a project that they would focus on separate from their husbands. Lady Bird Johnson’s project was city and highway beautification. Her passion for planting flowers and beautifying her surroundings was something that was necessary in many growing urban areas of the United States. Her efforts would lead President Johnson to sign the Highway Beautification Act of 1965, which protected natural and scenic beauty along federal-aid highways by controlling billboards and the amount of buildings built alongside the highway. Following the Johnsons’ legacy, each First Lady after Lady Bird chose their own special project that they would focus on.
The Vietnam Conflict: The downfall of Johnson’s presidency was the Vietnam Conflict. While he had a major focus on social affairs in the United States, his foreign policy resulted in an unpopular opinion about his presidency and ultimately led him to the decision not to rerun in 1968. Being the first televised conflict broadcasted directly to the American people, the Vietnam Conflict was incredibly unpopular among the population.
Have you visited our Hall of Presidents exhibit on our second floor? If you enjoyed learning about Johnson’s legacy, make a trip to our Museum to learn about other presidents and the legacies they left behind! To learn about some of the most notorious elections in history click here.
