Happy National Veep Day! on August 9, this day recognizes the succession plan of the President of the United States.
The day also acknowledges the one president who was neither elected vice president nor president – 38th U.S. President Gerald Ford.
In Case of the Removal of the President from Office, or of his Death, Resignation, or Inability to discharge the Powers and Duties of the said Office, the Same shall devolve on the Vice President, and the Congress may by Law provide for the Case of Removal, Death, Resignation or Inability, both of the President and Vice President, declaring what Officer shall then act as President, and such Officer shall act accordingly, until the Disability be removed, or a President shall be elected.
ARTICLE II, SECTION 1, CLAUSE 6
In the history of the United States, fourteen vice presidents became president. The people elected only five of them at some point after completing their terms as vice president.
The other eight ascended to the presidency due to the death of the president. And then there is one vice president who became president who was never elected at all.
Vice President Facts
John Tyler
After one month of being sworn in, 9th U.S. President William Henry Harrison died in office in 1841. His vice president, John Tyler, ascended to the presidency.
Millard Fillmore
13th U.S. President Millard Fillmore filled the vacancy left by the death of 12th U.S. President Zachary Taylor on July 9, 1850.
Andrew Johnson
Andrew Johnson was 16th U.S. President Abraham Lincoln’s second term vice president.
His term began when Lincoln died on April 15, 1865 after John Wilkes Booth’s successful assassination of the president at Ford’s Theater.
Chester A. Arthur
When Charles J. Guiteau assassinated 20th U.S. President James A. Garfield on September 19, 1881, Vice President Chester A. Arthur completed his term.
Theodore Roosevelt
25th U.S. President William McKinley’s first vice president died of a heart attack. During McKinley’s second term, Theodore Roosevelt served as his veep.
Afterwards, McKinley was assassinated six months into the term on September 14, 1901. Roosevelt became the third vice president to step up under these circumstances.
Calvin Coolidge
After the death of 29th U.S. President Warren G. Harding on August 2, 1923, Vice President Calvin Coolidge ascended to the presidency. He also ran and won a second term.
Harry S. Truman
32nd U.S, President Franklin D. Roosevelt was the only president to run for and win three terms.
He also had three different vice presidents. His third veep, Harry S. Truman, ascended to the presidency when FDR died on April 12, 1945 after just three months in office.
Lyndon B. Johnson
The fourth president to be assassinated in America was John 35th U.S. President F. Kennedy. Lyndon B. Johnson served as his vice president.
An interesting note: 37th U.S. President Richard M. Nixon, whom this day is partially inspired by, ran unsuccessfully against JFK.
Before running for president, Nixon served two terms as veep for 34th U.S. President Dwight D. Eisenhower.
After his losing presidential runs, Nixon would run again and win two consecutive terms.
Gerald Ford
Nixon’s first vice president was Spiro Agnew. However, Agnew resigned in 1973. Gerald Ford obtained the position of vice president by appointment.
When Nixon later resigned in 1974, Ford ascended to the presidency. He is the only president to service who was neither elected to the position of veep or president.
HOW TO OBSERVE
Brush up on your vice-presidential history! While you’re at it, check into your government history as well.
Have you ever heard of Levi Morton or William King? Well, they were vice presidents, too. You can also test your knowledge of the vice presidents or read up on them as well.
• Take the quiz below to find out how many veeps you can name.
• How did you do on the quiz? Pick up these books to improve your knowledge: At the President’s Side: Vice Presidency in the Twentieth Century (1997) by Timothy Walch or First in Line: Presidents, Vice Presidents, and the Pursuit of Power (2018) by Kate Andersen Brower.
• Host a trivia night and challenge your friends on their vice presidential knowledge.
Use #NationalVeepDay to post on social media.
HISTORY
On August 9, 1974, Vice President Gerald Ford became the 38th U.S. President upon the resignation of 37th U.S. President Richard M. Nixon.
Who is your favorite veep(s) in American presidential history?
#NationalVeepDay
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