American Experience

Read Lyndon Johnson in his own words, in this collection of speeches and documents.

Contents:  Speeches  |  Vietnam  |  Civil Rights  |  Documents
Miscellaneous

Speeches

• State of the Union Address, 1964
  LBJ outlines a legislative agenda carrying forward the plans of John Kennedy, focusing on civil rights, a tax cut, a war on poverty, benefits for senior citizens, and more.
• State of the Union Address, 1965
  Johnson announces plans to keep the economy growing and extend the same opportunities to all Americans.
• State of the Union Address, 1966
  LBJ acknowledges that the costs of the Vietnam War might hinder his Great Society legislation.
• State of the Union Address, 1967
  Johnson lays out plans for his War on Poverty and the conflict in Vietnam.
• State of the Union Address, 1968
  LBJ presents a wide-reaching legislative vision.
• State of the Union Address, 1969
  A few days before leaving office, LBJ sums up his administration's tenure.
• Address to Congress following JFK Assassination, 1963
  LBJ vows to pursue Kennedy's legislative goals.
• Commencement Address at the University of Michigan: The Great Society, 1964
  Johnson describes his domestic agenda and vision for a better America. (with RealAudio clip)
• Statement by the President at a Cabinet Meeting: The Great Society, 1964
  LBJ identifies a seven-part legislative program for his cabinet and federal government agencies.
• Inaugural Address, 1965
  LBJ cites the covenant of justice, liberty and union that formed the nation and calls upon Americans to look to the future with hope.

Vietnam

• The Tonkin Gulf Incident, 1964
  Citing an alleged attack on a U.S. naval vessel in the Gulf of Tonkin, LBJ announces his intent to fight North Vietnam. Appended is the Congressional resolution approving the war.
• Televised Address, 1968
  On national television, Johnson announces he will not seek re-election and speaks of peace in Vietnam.

Civil Rights

• Commencement Address at Howard University: To Fulfill These Rights, 1965
  Johnson describes equal opportunity and the end of injustice as necessary elements in improving the lives of black Americans. (with RealAudio clip)
• Address to Congress: We Shall Overcome, 1965
  LBJ expresses solidarity with the civil rights struggle and asks Congress to pass the Civil Rights Act.
• Address to Congress: Voting Rights, 1965
  The president calls for progress through the democratic process. (with RealAudio clip)
• Statement by the President on the Assassination of Martin Luther King Jr., 1968
  LBJ expresses America's shock and sadness.
• Address to the Nation Upon Proclaiming a Day of Mourning Following the Death of Dr. King, 1968
  LBJ announces that Sunday, April 7, 1968 will be a national day of mourning.

Documents

• Civil Rights Act of 1964
  The historic law that promoted equality for all Americans.
• Executive Order: Equal Employment Opportunity, 1965
  Johnson lays out his policy for equal employment for all, specifying rules and penalties.
• State Department Memo: Anguish in North Vietnam, 1965
  A memo describes the "new kind of war" being waged by Communist aggressors in Vietnam.
• Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, 1970
  An international treaty is signed to avert "the devastation that would be visited upon all mankind by a nuclear war."

Miscellaneous

• A Segregationist's View of the Civil Rights Movement, 1964
  Presidential candidate George C. Wallace denounces the Civil Rights Act.
• Telephone conversation with George Reedy, 1964
  Johnson explains his intention not to run for President in 1964. (with RealAudio clip)
• Telephone conversation with McGeorge Bundy, 1964
  Johnson speaks with Bundy about not selecting Robert Kennedy as his running mate. (with RealAudio clip)