Years in Office: 1974 to 1977

Gerald Ford was the only Vice president to become president upon the resignation of a President. Richard Nixon resigned President on August 9, 1974, and Ford took office the same day. Ford had been Vice President only 8 months when he became President.
<P>The major problems Ford inherited as President was soaring inflation and a loss of public confidence in government. The Watergate scandal was not quickly forgotten in the minds of most Americans, and so when President Ford pardoned Nixon of all federal crimes, Ford's popularity has hurt severely.

Other happenings during Ford's administration were: the bicentennial celebration of the founding of American space vehicle (Viking I) landed on another planet (Mars) in 1976, and the Vietnam War ended in 1975 when North Vietnam conquered South Vietnam.

As president, Gerald Ford escaped 2 assassination attempts, both in 1975 and both in California.

Gerald Ford was elected President in 1976, and thus became the only person ever to serve as President of the United States without being elected to that office.

Quote: It is my impression that competitive athletics, whether it is in little league baseball, or whether it is in the Olympics or whether it is in any other sport, contributes very significantly to a better world for all of us. August 26, 1974