Born: 1913, Omaha, NE
Died: 2006

Gerald Ford was raised in Grand Rapids, Michigan. A talented athlete, Ford attended the University of Michigan on a football scholarship, then earned a law degree at Yale. After naval combat duty in World War II, the likable attorney returned to Grand Rapids. He was elected to Congress in 1948, becoming House Minority Leader in 1965. In 1973, when Nixon’s Vice-President, Spiro T. Agnew, was forced to resign over a tax scandal, Nixon picked Ford as the new Vice-President. The following year Nixon resigned over Watergate and Ford became President. shortly thereafter, Ford granted Nixon a “full, free and absolute pardon.” He explained his decision as a way to bring the country together and move beyond the turmoil of Watergate. Though few questioned Ford’s integrity, many at the time were angered by his action.

President Ford presided over a period of steadily improving relations with the Soviet Union, reaching agreement on limiting nuclear arms. But troubles appeared on other fronts; the last American advisers in Vietnam were forced into a desperate and chaotic evacuation; the Middle East oil crisis created an energy shortage; and at home the fight against inflation led to recession. Ford gained the Republican nomination in 1976 but lost the election to Democrat Jimmy Carter.

Thirty-Eighth President
Republican

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