After the unprecedented assassination of President John F. Kennedy, our nation was overcome with shock and grief. Vice President Lyndon Baines Johnson was sworn in as the next president just hours after this tragic event. Through his leadership, he was the key to bringing the nation together and overcoming the death of our beloved late President. Lyndon Johnson, the 36th president, also known as “LBJ,” became one of America's most outspoken and controversial leaders. Born on August 27, 1908 in Stowell, Texas, Lyndon Johnson grew up in a financially poor family. He didn't have much, but that never stopped his love for politics and teaching. Early in his working life, he taught early years school soon after graduating from Southwest Texas State Teachers College. After being a teacher for several years, Johnson entered a new era in his life. Lyndon Johnson accompanied Richard M. Kleberg, a man he helped win a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives, to Washington, D.C. as his secretary for about four years. Years later, he returned to his home state of Texas as state director of the National Youth Administration. After two years, in 1937, representing Texas, he was elected to the House of Representatives, also campaigning for the famous Franklin D. Roosevelt. Johnson was a very versatile man who, while extremely involved in politics, also took part in the United States Naval Reserve and on 21 June 1940 was appointed Lieutenant Commander. Because of this versatility, he became the first member of Congress to volunteer for active duty in the armed forces after the bombing of Pearl Harbor on December 7. Months later Johnson, a real... middle of paper...artist, founded the National Endowment for the Humanities and the National Endowment for the Arts. He has accomplished so much to help increase the well-being of all Americans, regardless of race, religion, or financial status. To this day, Americans continue to benefit from his dreams for Americans and his determination to make life better for all citizens. Works Cited "Johnson's Foreign Policy - A Brief History - History Department - Historian's Office." Johnson's Foreign Policy - A Brief History - History Department - Historian's Office. Np, nd Web. November 27, 2013. "Biography of Lyndon B. Johnson." Bio.com. A&E Networks Television and Web. December 5, 2013"Lyndon B. Johnson." World History: The Modern Era. ABC-CLIO, 2013. Web. November 25, 2013. “Biography of President Lyndon B. Johnson.” LBJ Biography. LBJ Library Archives Staff, nd Web. 08 December. 2013.