It's "LBJ" Day! - Postcard Friendship Friday #26

Today is Lyndon Baines Johnson Day!  This is a national holiday in Texas where "LBJ" was born on August 27, 1908.   He was the 36th president of the United States, serving from 1963-1969.  When President John F. Kennedy was assassinated in 1963, Vice President Johnson became President of the United States.

In an address before Congress President Johnson pledged support for Kennedy's legislative agenda which  included civil rights and education.  Along with supporting the civil rights movement, Johnson overcame southern resistance and convinced Congress to pass the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which outlawed many forms of racial segregation. Johnson signed it into law on July 2, 1964. 

Then in 1965, he achieved passage of a second civil rights bill, the Voting Rights Act to outlaw discrimination in voting and to allow many Black Americans in the southern states to vote for the first time.  I was astonished to discover some people were not allowed to vote, clear into the mid-1960's, because of skin color.  THAT is a SHAME.  I'm glad today every Citizen of the United States has the right and opportunity to vote.

When he left the presidency in 1969, LBJ returned to Texas. During his retirement he wrote The Vantage Point, taught students and participated in a series of national symposia on the critical issues of modern America. Johnson died at his ranch on January 22, 1973, and is buried in the family cemetery at the LBJ Ranch near his birthplace. Shortly after his death, the Texas State Legislature created a legal state holiday to be observed every year on August 27 to honor Johnson. The holiday was first celebrated on August 27, 1973.

Happy LBJ Day and Post Card Friendship Friday!

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