Jan. 22, 2023 marks 50 years since death of President Lyndon B. Johnson

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Published  January 22, 2023 7:50pm CST
FOX 7 Austin
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2023 marks 50 years since death of President Lyndon B. Johnson

The former president's death came four years almost to the day after he left office and less than two years after the opening of the LBJ Presidential Library and Museum at the University of Texas at Austin.

AUSTIN, Texas - Sunday, Jan. 22, 2023 marks 50 years since the death of President Lyndon Baines Johnson. 

On Jan. 22, 1973, Johnson suffered a heart attack at the LBJ Ranch in his hometown of Stonewall near Fredericksburg. He was flown to Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio where he was pronounced dead at the age of 64. 

The former president's death came four years almost to the day after he left office and less than two years after the opening of the LBJ Presidential Library and Museum at the University of Texas at Austin.

Johnson's presidency was marked by accomplishments like the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Voting Rights Act of 1965, the Immigration Act of 1965, the Fair Housing Act, and laws that created Medicare, Medicaid, Head Start, federal aid to education, the national endowments for the arts and humanities, public broadcasting including PBS and NPR, and the Department of Housing and Urban Development. However, his legacy was marred some by the escalating war in Vietnam.  

In 1968, Johnson announced he would not run for reelection. After his term in office, he returned to the LBJ Ranch, where he spent the last years of his life writing his memoir, teaching at the LBJ School of Public Affairs, planning and opening the LBJ Library, and participating in the library’s symposia addressing critical issues in America’s future.

American Senator and Vice President-elect of the United States Lyndon Johnson, pictured on a visit to the UK, November 1960.  ((Photo by Eyles/Daily Herald/Mirrorpix via Getty Images))
Lyndon Baines Johnson (1908 - 1973) is sworn in as the 36th President of the United States of America on board the presidential airplane, after the assassination of President John F Kennedy. Mrs Johnson is behind him, left, and to his right is the grief stricken Jackie Kennedy (1929 - 1994).    ((Photo by Keystone/Getty Images))
Lyndon B. Johnson Funeral  ((Photo by Wally McNamee/CORBIS/Corbis via Getty Images))
President Lyndon B. Johnson's family gathers by the flag draped casket. (Photo by Frank Wolfe courtesy of LBJ Library)
The casket of President Lyndon B. Johnson is carried to the LBJ Library in Austin. (Photo by Paul Chevalier courtesy of LBJ Library)
The casket of President Lyndon B. Johnson lies in state at the LBJ Library in Austin. (Photo by Frank Wolfe courtesy of LBJ Library)
The casket of President Lyndon B. Johnson lies in state at the Capitol Rotunda. (Photo by Frank Wolfe courtesy of LBJ Library)
The casket of President Lyndon B. Johnson lies in state at the Capitol Rotunda. (Photo by Frank Wolfe courtesy of LBJ Library)
The casket of President Lyndon B. Johnson leaves the LBJ Library in Austin. (Photo by Frank Wolfe courtesy of LBJ Library)
The casket of Lyndon B. Johnson leaves a Washington D.C. church. (Photo by Frank Wolfe courtesy of LBJ Library)
The casket of President Lyndon B Johnson sits in a Washington DC church during a church service. (Photo by Frank Wolfe courtesy of LBJ Library)
The casket of President Lyndon B. Johnson lies in state at the Capitol Rotunda. (Photo by Frank Wolfe courtesy of LBJ Library)
The burial service of US President Lyndon B. Johnson (Photo by Frank Wolfe courtesy of LBJ Library)

The day after his death, Johnson's flag-draped casket was brought to the LBJ Library where his body lay in state for 24 hours. His widow Lady Bird Johnson was there to greet those who came to pay their respects.

Johnson's funeral was held January 25 in Washington, but his casket was immediately flown back to Texas, and he was buried that afternoon at the LBJ Ranch.