Lyndon B. Johnson assumed the presidency upon the assassination of John F. Kennedy in Nov. '63. Johnson held the office through '69 in addition to having served in the House of Representatives & as a Senator. An aggressive, larger-than-life personality, Johnson designed legislation to advance civil rights, public broadcasting, Medicare, Medicaid, arts, education, & public services, but he also escalated involvement in the Vietnam War. After deciding not to run in '68 he retired & died in '73.