Timeline of Ford’s Life

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Gerald R. Ford, 38th President of the United States

July 14, 1913: Born in Omaha, Nebraska

1915: Moved to Grand Rapids, Michigan

1927: Achieved rank of Eagle Scout as member of Troop 15, Grand Rapids

1931: Graduated from Grand Rapids South High School as honor roll student

1934: Named Most Valuable Player on University of Michigan football team

1935: Received Bachelor of Arts degree University of Michigan

1941: Graduated from Yale Law School

April 13, 1942: Commissioned Ensign in U.S. Navy

1943–1944: Served aboard light aircraft carrier U.S.S. Monterey in Pacific

October 15, 1948: Married Elizabeth Bloomer of Grand Rapids

November 2, 1948: Elected to represent 5th District of Michigan in U.S. House of Representatives, first of 13 terms

March 14, 1950: Son, Michael Gerald (Mike), born in Washington, D.C.

March 16, 1952: Son, John Gardner (Jack), born in Washington, D.C.

May 19, 1956: Son, Steven Meigs (Steve), born in Washington, D.C.

July 6, 1957: Daughter, Susan Elizabeth (Susan), born in Washington, D.C.

January 1963: Elected chairman of House Republican Conference

1963-1964: Served as Member of Warren Commission to probe the assassination of President John F. Kennedy

January 4, 1965: Elected Republican Leader of U.S. House of Representatives

December 6, 1973: Sworn in as 40th Vice President of the United States under provisions of the 25th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution

August 9, 1974: Sworn in as 38th President of the United States after resignation of Richard M. Nixon

1981: Dedication of the Gerald R. Ford Library and the Gerald R. Ford Museum

October, 1982: President and Mrs. Ford travel to Japan. President Ford is on an International Forum panel with Henry Kissinger. Forum discussions are held in Osaka and Tokyo.

February, 1983: President Ford and President Jimmy Carter co-chair The First Presidential Library Conference on the Public and Public Policy, Ford Library.

November, 1984: President Ford participates in the Symposium on New Weapons Technologies and Soviet-American Relations in Ann Arbor, co-hosted with President Carter.

April, 1985: President Ford participates in the Arms Control Conference at Carter Center, a final symposium of three on Soviet-American Relations.

September, 1986: President Ford participates in The Humor and the Presidency Conference at the Ford Museum.

1988: President Ford is co-chair with President Carter of The American Agenda.

 

Submitted by the Gerald R. Ford Library.

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