Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Gerald Ford

How Gerald Ford built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.

Gerald Ford, the 38th U.S. President, served from 1974-1977. A Republican, he ascended to the presidency after Richard Nixon's resignation, having previously served as Nixon's Vice President following Spiro Agnew's resignation. Before becoming Vice President, Ford was a member of the U.S. House of Representatives from 1949 to 1973. His presidency was largely defined by his controversial pardon of Nixon and efforts to combat inflation during an economic downturn.

Sections (5)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals

September 1935: Ford Took Job at Yale University

In September 1935, Gerald Ford took a job as the boxing coach and assistant varsity football coach at Yale University.

1938: Ford Admitted to Yale Law School

In the spring of 1938, Gerald Ford was admitted to Yale Law School and was also promoted to the position of junior varsity head football coach at Yale.

1940: Ford Worked for Wendell Willkie

In the summer of 1940, Gerald Ford began his introduction to politics when he worked for the Republican presidential campaign of Wendell Willkie.

May 1941: Ford Opened Law Practice

In May 1941, Gerald Ford opened a law practice in Grand Rapids with Philip W. Buchen.

1941: Ford Modeled for Harry Conover agency

Until 1941, Gerald Ford worked as a model with the Harry Conover agency.

April 13, 1942: Ford Commissioned as Ensign

On April 13, 1942, Gerald Ford received a commission as ensign in the U.S. Naval Reserve.

June 2, 1942: Ford Promoted to Lieutenant

On June 2, 1942, Gerald Ford was promoted to Lieutenant, Junior Grade, at the Navy Preflight School.

1942: Ford Served in U.S. Naval Reserve

From 1942 to 1946, Gerald Ford served in the U.S. Naval Reserve.

March 1943: Ford Promoted to Lieutenant

In March 1943, Gerald Ford was promoted to lieutenant at the Navy Preflight School.

May 1943: Ford Sent to USS Monterey

In May 1943, Gerald Ford was sent to the pre-commissioning detachment for the new aircraft carrier USS Monterey (CVL-26).

June 17, 1943: USS Monterey Commissioned

From the USS Monterey's commissioning on June 17, 1943, until the end of December 1944, Gerald Ford served as the assistant navigator, Athletic Officer, and antiaircraft battery officer.

November 1944: Monterey Launched Strikes

From September to November 1944, aircraft from the USS Monterey launched strikes against Wake Island, participated in strikes in the Philippines and Ryukyus, and supported the landings at Leyte and Mindoro.

December 1944: Ford Served on USS Monterey

From the ship's commissioning on June 17, 1943, until the end of December 1944, Gerald Ford served as the assistant navigator, Athletic Officer, and antiaircraft battery officer on board the Monterey.

April 1945: Ford Assigned to Athletic Department

After the fire, the USS Monterey was declared unfit for service. Ford was detached from the ship and sent to the Navy Pre-Flight School at Saint Mary's College of California, where he was assigned to the Athletic Department until April 1945.

January 1946: Ford on Staff of Naval Reserve Training Command

From the end of April 1945 to January 1946, Gerald Ford was on the staff of the Naval Reserve Training Command, Naval Air Station, Glenview, Illinois, at the rank of lieutenant commander.

February 1946: Ford Honorably Discharged

In February 1946, Gerald Ford was honorably discharged from the Navy after receiving several military awards.

1946: Return to Grand Rapids and Republican Politics

In 1946, Gerald Ford returned to Grand Rapids and became involved in local Republican politics. Supporters encouraged him to challenge the incumbent Republican congressman, Bartel J. Jonkman, because Ford's military service had changed his worldview to an internationalist perspective, contrasting with Jonkman's isolationist views.

1948: First Congressional Campaign

In 1948, during his first campaign for Congress, Ford engaged directly with voters by visiting them at their homes and at factories. He also visited local farms, where he made a wager that resulted in him spending two weeks milking cows after his election victory.

1949: Ford Joined U.S. House of Representatives

In 1949, Gerald Ford became a member of the U.S. House of Representatives.

1949: Ford Became U.S. Representative

In 1949, Gerald Ford started his political career as the U.S. representative from Michigan's 5th congressional district.

1957: Civil Rights Act Vote

In 1957, Ford voted in favor of the Civil Rights Act.

1960: Civil Rights Act Vote

In 1960, Ford voted in favor of the Civil Rights Act.

1960: Televised Presidential Debates Reintroduced

In 1960, Televised presidential debates were reintroduced for the first time.

November 29, 1963: Appointment to the Warren Commission

On November 29, 1963, President Lyndon B. Johnson appointed Ford to the Warren Commission, which investigated the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. Ford was tasked with preparing a biography of Lee Harvey Oswald.

1964: Civil Rights Act Vote

In 1964, Ford voted in favor of the Civil Rights Act.

1964: Selection as House Minority Leader

In 1964, following Republican losses in the House of Representatives, Gerald Ford was chosen to replace Charles Halleck as the House Minority Leader after being approached by multiple members to consider the position. The group was later known as the 'Young Turks'.

1965: Voting Rights Act Vote

In 1965, Ford voted in favor of the Voting Rights Act.

1965: Start of Tenure as Minority Leader

In 1965, Gerald Ford started his tenure as minority leader in the House of Representatives.

November 1968: Shift to Advocate for the White House Agenda

After Richard Nixon was elected president in November 1968, Ford's role shifted to being an advocate for the White House agenda.

1968: Civil Rights Act Vote

In 1968, Ford voted in favor of the Civil Rights Act.

1969: Passage of Nixon's Proposals

In 1969, Congress passed several of Nixon's proposals, including the National Environmental Policy Act and the Tax Reform Act.

1972: Passage of State and Local Fiscal Assistance Act

In 1972, the State and Local Fiscal Assistance Act, which established a revenue sharing program for state and local governments, was passed. Ford's leadership was instrumental in shepherding revenue sharing through Congress.

January 27, 1973: Signing of the Paris Peace Accords

On January 27, 1973, the Paris Peace Accords were signed, marking the end of American offensive operations against North Vietnam and declaring a cease-fire across both North and South Vietnam.

December 1973: Ford Appointed Vice President

In December 1973, Gerald Ford was appointed as the Vice President of the United States following Spiro Agnew's resignation.

1973: Ford Became Vice President

In 1973, Gerald Ford became the 40th Vice President of the United States, following Spiro Agnew's resignation.

1973: End of House of Representatives Tenure

In 1973, Gerald Ford concluded his 25-year tenure in the House of Representatives, representing Michigan's 5th congressional district.

1973: End of Tenure as Minority Leader

In 1973, Gerald Ford ended his tenure as minority leader in the House of Representatives.

August 9, 1974: Assumption of the Presidency

On August 9, 1974, Gerald Ford assumed the presidency automatically after Nixon's resignation, making him the only person to become the nation's chief executive without being elected to the presidency or the vice presidency.

August 1974: Ford Assumed the Presidency

In August 1974, Gerald Ford immediately assumed the presidency after Richard Nixon's resignation.

September 30, 1974: Creation of Economic Policy Board

On September 30, 1974, President Ford created the Economic Policy Board by Executive Order to address economic concerns during his administration.

October 4, 1974: Ford's Speech to Congress Kicking Off "WIN" Campaign

On October 4, 1974, Ford delivered a speech to a joint session of Congress to officially kick off the "WIN" campaign, aimed at curbing inflation and introducing a tax increase proposal.

October 1974: Launch of "Whip Inflation Now" (WIN) Campaign

In October 1974, President Ford initiated the "Whip Inflation Now" (WIN) campaign to combat rising inflation by urging Americans to reduce spending and consumption. The campaign included asking people to wear "WIN" buttons and proposing a one-year, five-percent income tax increase on corporations and wealthy individuals.

1974: Planned Attempt to Become House Speaker

In 1974, Ford had planned to work towards becoming House Speaker, as it was his last attempt before retiring in 1976.

1974: Bush Appointment as Chief of US Liaison Office to China

In 1974, Ford selected George H. W. Bush as Chief of the US Liaison Office to the People's Republic of China.

1974: Ford Assumed Presidency

In 1974, Gerald Ford assumed the presidency of the United States following the resignation of Richard Nixon.

January 1975: Ford Proposes Tax Reduction to Stimulate Economy

In January 1975, Ford proposed a $16 billion tax reduction for one year to stimulate economic growth while also suggesting spending cuts to avoid inflation.

March 1975: Tax Reduction Act of 1975 Signed into Law

In March 1975, Ford signed the Tax Reduction Act of 1975 into law, which included income tax rebates, contributing to a federal deficit.

April 23, 1975: Ford Declares Vietnam War Over for America

On April 23, 1975, Ford announced in a speech at Tulane University that the Vietnam War was over "as far as America is concerned."

May 1975: Mayaguez Incident

In May 1975, shortly after the fall of Saigon and the Khmer Rouge conquest of Cambodia, Cambodians seized the American merchant ship Mayaguez in international waters. Ford dispatched Marines to rescue the crew, but the Marines landed on the wrong island and met unexpectedly stiff resistance just as, unknown to the U.S., the Mayaguez sailors were being released. Two military transport helicopters carrying the Marines were shot down, resulting in 41 U.S. servicemen killed and 50 wounded. Despite the American losses, the operation was considered a success in the United States.

August 26, 1975: Women's Equality Day

On August 26, 1975, Gerald Ford designated and proclaimed the date as Women's Equality Day, reminding Americans to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment to secure legal equality for all women and men.

September 1975: Signing of Sinai Interim Agreement and Resumption of Aid

In September 1975, the Sinai Interim Agreement (Sinai II) was formally signed, leading to the resumption of aid to Israel after months of tension.

December 1975: Ford's Visit to China

In December 1975, President Ford visited China, reinforcing the thawing relationship initiated by Nixon's earlier visit, as part of the détente policy.

1975: Ford Attends Inaugural G7 Meeting

In 1975, Ford attended the inaugural meeting of the Group of Seven (G7) industrialized nations and secured membership for Canada, supporting international solutions to economic issues.

1975: Rumsfeld Named Secretary of Defense and Cheney Becomes Chief of Staff

In 1975, Ford named Donald Rumsfeld as the Secretary of Defense. He then chose Richard Cheney to replace Rumsfeld as his new Chief of Staff.

1975: Ford Supports Equal Rights Amendment

In 1975, Ford showed support for the Equal Rights Amendment by issuing Presidential Proclamation no. 4383.

1975: Appointment of John Paul Stevens to Supreme Court

In 1975, President Ford appointed John Paul Stevens as Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States to replace retiring Justice William O. Douglas.

1975: Signing of Education for All Handicapped Children Act

In 1975, despite concerns about funding, Ford signed the Education for All Handicapped Children Act, which mandated special education services throughout the United States.

1975: Bush Appointment as Director of the CIA

In late 1975, Ford appointed George H. W. Bush as Director of the Central Intelligence Agency.

1975: Reagan Launches Campaign

In the autumn of 1975, Ronald Reagan launched his campaign for the Republican nomination, challenging Ford's incumbency.

1975: "Halloween Massacre" Cabinet Reorganization

In the fall of 1975, Ford dramatically reorganized his Cabinet, replacing all members except Secretary of State Kissinger and Secretary of the Treasury William E. Simon, in what political commentators have called the "Halloween Massacre".

July 7, 1976: White House State Dinner for Queen Elizabeth II

On July 7, 1976, President and First Lady Ford hosted a White House state dinner for Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip of the United Kingdom, which was televised on the Public Broadcasting Service network.

1976: Ford Runs for Office

In 1976, Ford reluctantly agreed to run for office, facing a challenge for the Republican party nomination from Ronald Reagan.

1976: Cheney Becomes Campaign Manager

In 1976, Richard Cheney became the campaign manager for Ford's presidential campaign.

January 1977: Ford Becomes President of Eisenhower Fellowships

In January 1977, Gerald Ford became the president of Eisenhower Fellowships in Philadelphia.

1977: End of Ford's Presidency

Gerald Ford's presidency concluded in 1977.

March 15, 1980: Ford Announces He Will Not Run for President

On March 15, 1980, Gerald Ford announced that he would forgo a run for the Republican nomination, vowing to support the eventual nominee.

October 3, 1980: Ford Blames Carter for Ineffectiveness of the Federal Reserve Board

On October 3, 1980, Gerald Ford cast blame on Carter for the latter's charges of ineffectiveness on the part of the Federal Reserve Board due to his appointment of most of its members.

October 8, 1980: Ford comments on Nixon's involvement in the 1980 general election

On October 8, 1980, Gerald Ford said former President Nixon's involvement in the general election potentially could negatively impact the Reagan campaign.

1980: Ford Becomes Chairman of Eisenhower Fellowships Board of Trustees

In 1980, Gerald Ford became the chairman of the Eisenhower Fellowships board of trustees.

September 1981: Ford Advises Reagan on Economic Policies

In September 1981, Gerald Ford advised Reagan against succumbing to Wall Street demands and follow his own agenda for the economic policies of the US during an appearance on Good Morning America.

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October 20, 1981: Ford Comments on Reagan's Saudi Arms Package

During a news conference on October 20, 1981, Gerald Ford stated that stopping the Reagan administration's Saudi arms package could have a large negative impact to American relations in the Middle East.

March 24, 1982: Ford Endorses Reagan's Economic Policies

On March 24, 1982, Gerald Ford offered an endorsement of President Reagan's economic policies while also stating the possibility of Reagan being met with a stalemate by Congress if not willing to compromise while in Washington.

1986: Ford Ends Term as Chairman of Eisenhower Fellowships Board of Trustees

In 1986, Gerald Ford ended his term as the chairman of the Eisenhower Fellowships board of trustees.

2001: Co-chair of National Commission on Federal Election Reform

In 2001, Ford and Carter served as honorary co-chairs of the National Commission on Federal Election Reform.

2002: Co-chair of Continuity of Government Commission

In 2002, Ford and Carter served as honorary co-chairs of the Continuity of Government Commission.

2005: Ford Praises John Paul Stevens

In 2005, Ford praised John Paul Stevens, saying, "He has served his nation well with dignity, intellect and without partisan political concerns."

Mentioned in this timeline

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The United States of America located in North America and...

California is the most populous US state located on the...

The White House located at Pennsylvania Avenue NW in Washington...

China officially the People's Republic of China PRC is located...

Yale University located in New Haven Connecticut is a private...