May 12, 1967. The President’s secretary recording the Daily Diary (probably Marie Fehmer) writes a beautifully detailed description of dinner conversation at LBJ’s table. Also present are Sen. Russell and aide Harry McPherson.  “At dinner, the President told Senator Russell that what he needed to talk to him about was Vietnam …The President outlined three choices open to him:  ‘1. I can move further in the North—but they tell me that moving further in the north with the bombing will result in only killing civilians and will not accomplish anything that we’ve not already accomplished. 2. I can concentrate completely on the DMZ. 3. I can concentrate on the areas between the seventeenth and twentieth parallels and make my planes make that a desert. Just destroy anything that moves.’ Senator Russell feels that dragging this out each day leans more toward getting us in a big war. ‘We’ve just got to finish it soon.’ said the Senator, ‘because time is working against you both here and there.’ The Senator suggested that his feeling was that the only way to end the war was to blockade the ports and stop their lines of supply…The President expressed sincere belief that this would get us into war sooner than anything. He also felt that number (1) above would get us into war. ‘The only thing left to take out up there,’ said the President, ‘is a power plant which is located 1/2 mile from Ho’s headquarters. Suppose we missed,’ said the President. The President then asked the Senator about Lester Maddox. The President told him, ‘Well, I watched him on Face the Nation last Sunday, and just decided that he definitely was not Georgia quality.’ The Senator said that Gov. Maddox was a child of fortune, just lucky, and couldn’t have beaten any other man in the race except the one he did beat. After his talk w/ Amb. Clark, the President affirmed his belief that he was a ‘Holt and Menzies man.’ Sen. Russell said that he hoped Holt was an LBJ man because he knew that he won eight seats at least as a result of the President’s visit there. The President said that when Holt was here he stood up and said, ‘All the Way with LBJ.’ The President appreciated that, but then took him aside, and said, ‘Now listen, I don’t want you to become a casualty. If you are lost, then I lose a good friend. They’ll murder you back home.’ ‘No, sir,’ replied the Prime Minister, ‘That’s the way it’s going to be.’ ‘And so it is,’ said the President.  The President then launched into a tirade against the newspaper reporters who follow him around at receptions. He explained to Senator Russell that Liz Carpenter’s procedure is to invite about 25 of them as guests to each reception type function and then allow a press pool to cover the whole thing. The President said that he can’t even swallow a mouthful of food without having one of them watch to see if he chewed it properly before swallowing. He said that all we’re doing is inviting 500 guests, standing them before the wall, and then making them be gracious to the 25 who come up to them and ask questions like, ’Are you happy here? Why are you here? Will you come next time? Are you a friend of the family? Isn’t the service worse here than it used to be? Isn’t the coffee weak?’ … At midnight. Senator Russell stood up and said. ‘Mr. President, it’s midnight, and I have to go to bed because I’m an old man, and you have to go to bed because you’re President of the United States.’” Top: Marie Fehmer; middle, l-r: Sen. Russell, Lester Maddox, Holt and LBJ; bottom,  Liz Carpenter in her office. 
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May 12, 1967. The President’s secretary recording the Daily Diary (probably Marie Fehmer) writes a beautifully detailed description of dinner conversation at LBJ’s table. Also present are Sen. Russell and aide Harry McPherson.  “At dinner, the President told Senator Russell that what he needed to talk to him about was Vietnam …The President outlined three choices open to him:  ‘1. I can move further in the North—but they tell me that moving further in the north with the bombing will result in only killing civilians and will not accomplish anything that we’ve not already accomplished. 2. I can concentrate completely on the DMZ. 3. I can concentrate on the areas between the seventeenth and twentieth parallels and make my planes make that a desert. Just destroy anything that moves.’ Senator Russell feels that dragging this out each day leans more toward getting us in a big war. ‘We’ve just got to finish it soon.’ said the Senator, ‘because time is working against you both here and there.’ The Senator suggested that his feeling was that the only way to end the war was to blockade the ports and stop their lines of supply…The President expressed sincere belief that this would get us into war sooner than anything. He also felt that number (1) above would get us into war. ‘The only thing left to take out up there,’ said the President, ‘is a power plant which is located 1/2 mile from Ho’s headquarters. Suppose we missed,’ said the President. The President then asked the Senator about Lester Maddox. The President told him, ‘Well, I watched him on Face the Nation last Sunday, and just decided that he definitely was not Georgia quality.’ The Senator said that Gov. Maddox was a child of fortune, just lucky, and couldn’t have beaten any other man in the race except the one he did beat. After his talk w/ Amb. Clark, the President affirmed his belief that he was a ‘Holt and Menzies man.’ Sen. Russell said that he hoped Holt was an LBJ man because he knew that he won eight seats at least as a result of the President’s visit there. The President said that when Holt was here he stood up and said, ‘All the Way with LBJ.’ The President appreciated that, but then took him aside, and said, ‘Now listen, I don’t want you to become a casualty. If you are lost, then I lose a good friend. They’ll murder you back home.’ ‘No, sir,’ replied the Prime Minister, ‘That’s the way it’s going to be.’ ‘And so it is,’ said the President.  The President then launched into a tirade against the newspaper reporters who follow him around at receptions. He explained to Senator Russell that Liz Carpenter’s procedure is to invite about 25 of them as guests to each reception type function and then allow a press pool to cover the whole thing. The President said that he can’t even swallow a mouthful of food without having one of them watch to see if he chewed it properly before swallowing. He said that all we’re doing is inviting 500 guests, standing them before the wall, and then making them be gracious to the 25 who come up to them and ask questions like, ’Are you happy here? Why are you here? Will you come next time? Are you a friend of the family? Isn’t the service worse here than it used to be? Isn’t the coffee weak?’ … At midnight. Senator Russell stood up and said. ‘Mr. President, it’s midnight, and I have to go to bed because I’m an old man, and you have to go to bed because you’re President of the United States.’” Top: Marie Fehmer; middle, l-r: Sen. Russell, Lester Maddox, Holt and LBJ; bottom,  Liz Carpenter in her office. 
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May 12, 1967. The President’s secretary recording the Daily Diary (probably Marie Fehmer) writes a beautifully detailed description of dinner conversation at LBJ’s table. Also present are Sen. Russell and aide Harry McPherson.  “At dinner, the President told Senator Russell that what he needed to talk to him about was Vietnam …The President outlined three choices open to him:  ‘1. I can move further in the North—but they tell me that moving further in the north with the bombing will result in only killing civilians and will not accomplish anything that we’ve not already accomplished. 2. I can concentrate completely on the DMZ. 3. I can concentrate on the areas between the seventeenth and twentieth parallels and make my planes make that a desert. Just destroy anything that moves.’ Senator Russell feels that dragging this out each day leans more toward getting us in a big war. ‘We’ve just got to finish it soon.’ said the Senator, ‘because time is working against you both here and there.’ The Senator suggested that his feeling was that the only way to end the war was to blockade the ports and stop their lines of supply…The President expressed sincere belief that this would get us into war sooner than anything. He also felt that number (1) above would get us into war. ‘The only thing left to take out up there,’ said the President, ‘is a power plant which is located 1/2 mile from Ho’s headquarters. Suppose we missed,’ said the President. The President then asked the Senator about Lester Maddox. The President told him, ‘Well, I watched him on Face the Nation last Sunday, and just decided that he definitely was not Georgia quality.’ The Senator said that Gov. Maddox was a child of fortune, just lucky, and couldn’t have beaten any other man in the race except the one he did beat. After his talk w/ Amb. Clark, the President affirmed his belief that he was a ‘Holt and Menzies man.’ Sen. Russell said that he hoped Holt was an LBJ man because he knew that he won eight seats at least as a result of the President’s visit there. The President said that when Holt was here he stood up and said, ‘All the Way with LBJ.’ The President appreciated that, but then took him aside, and said, ‘Now listen, I don’t want you to become a casualty. If you are lost, then I lose a good friend. They’ll murder you back home.’ ‘No, sir,’ replied the Prime Minister, ‘That’s the way it’s going to be.’ ‘And so it is,’ said the President.  The President then launched into a tirade against the newspaper reporters who follow him around at receptions. He explained to Senator Russell that Liz Carpenter’s procedure is to invite about 25 of them as guests to each reception type function and then allow a press pool to cover the whole thing. The President said that he can’t even swallow a mouthful of food without having one of them watch to see if he chewed it properly before swallowing. He said that all we’re doing is inviting 500 guests, standing them before the wall, and then making them be gracious to the 25 who come up to them and ask questions like, ’Are you happy here? Why are you here? Will you come next time? Are you a friend of the family? Isn’t the service worse here than it used to be? Isn’t the coffee weak?’ … At midnight. Senator Russell stood up and said. ‘Mr. President, it’s midnight, and I have to go to bed because I’m an old man, and you have to go to bed because you’re President of the United States.’” Top: Marie Fehmer; middle, l-r: Sen. Russell, Lester Maddox, Holt and LBJ; bottom,  Liz Carpenter in her office. 
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May 12, 1967. The President’s secretary recording the Daily Diary (probably Marie Fehmer) writes a beautifully detailed description of dinner conversation at LBJ’s table. Also present are Sen. Russell and aide Harry McPherson.  “At dinner, the President told Senator Russell that what he needed to talk to him about was Vietnam …The President outlined three choices open to him:  ‘1. I can move further in the North—but they tell me that moving further in the north with the bombing will result in only killing civilians and will not accomplish anything that we’ve not already accomplished. 2. I can concentrate completely on the DMZ. 3. I can concentrate on the areas between the seventeenth and twentieth parallels and make my planes make that a desert. Just destroy anything that moves.’ Senator Russell feels that dragging this out each day leans more toward getting us in a big war. ‘We’ve just got to finish it soon.’ said the Senator, ‘because time is working against you both here and there.’ The Senator suggested that his feeling was that the only way to end the war was to blockade the ports and stop their lines of supply…The President expressed sincere belief that this would get us into war sooner than anything. He also felt that number (1) above would get us into war. ‘The only thing left to take out up there,’ said the President, ‘is a power plant which is located 1/2 mile from Ho’s headquarters. Suppose we missed,’ said the President. The President then asked the Senator about Lester Maddox. The President told him, ‘Well, I watched him on Face the Nation last Sunday, and just decided that he definitely was not Georgia quality.’ The Senator said that Gov. Maddox was a child of fortune, just lucky, and couldn’t have beaten any other man in the race except the one he did beat. After his talk w/ Amb. Clark, the President affirmed his belief that he was a ‘Holt and Menzies man.’ Sen. Russell said that he hoped Holt was an LBJ man because he knew that he won eight seats at least as a result of the President’s visit there. The President said that when Holt was here he stood up and said, ‘All the Way with LBJ.’ The President appreciated that, but then took him aside, and said, ‘Now listen, I don’t want you to become a casualty. If you are lost, then I lose a good friend. They’ll murder you back home.’ ‘No, sir,’ replied the Prime Minister, ‘That’s the way it’s going to be.’ ‘And so it is,’ said the President.  The President then launched into a tirade against the newspaper reporters who follow him around at receptions. He explained to Senator Russell that Liz Carpenter’s procedure is to invite about 25 of them as guests to each reception type function and then allow a press pool to cover the whole thing. The President said that he can’t even swallow a mouthful of food without having one of them watch to see if he chewed it properly before swallowing. He said that all we’re doing is inviting 500 guests, standing them before the wall, and then making them be gracious to the 25 who come up to them and ask questions like, ’Are you happy here? Why are you here? Will you come next time? Are you a friend of the family? Isn’t the service worse here than it used to be? Isn’t the coffee weak?’ … At midnight. Senator Russell stood up and said. ‘Mr. President, it’s midnight, and I have to go to bed because I’m an old man, and you have to go to bed because you’re President of the United States.’” Top: Marie Fehmer; middle, l-r: Sen. Russell, Lester Maddox, Holt and LBJ; bottom,  Liz Carpenter in her office. 
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May 12, 1967. The President’s secretary recording the Daily Diary (probably Marie Fehmer) writes a beautifully detailed description of dinner conversation at LBJ’s table. Also present are Sen. Russell and aide Harry McPherson.  “At dinner, the President told Senator Russell that what he needed to talk to him about was Vietnam …The President outlined three choices open to him:  ‘1. I can move further in the North—but they tell me that moving further in the north with the bombing will result in only killing civilians and will not accomplish anything that we’ve not already accomplished. 2. I can concentrate completely on the DMZ. 3. I can concentrate on the areas between the seventeenth and twentieth parallels and make my planes make that a desert. Just destroy anything that moves.’ Senator Russell feels that dragging this out each day leans more toward getting us in a big war. ‘We’ve just got to finish it soon.’ said the Senator, ‘because time is working against you both here and there.’ The Senator suggested that his feeling was that the only way to end the war was to blockade the ports and stop their lines of supply…The President expressed sincere belief that this would get us into war sooner than anything. He also felt that number (1) above would get us into war. ‘The only thing left to take out up there,’ said the President, ‘is a power plant which is located 1/2 mile from Ho’s headquarters. Suppose we missed,’ said the President. The President then asked the Senator about Lester Maddox. The President told him, ‘Well, I watched him on Face the Nation last Sunday, and just decided that he definitely was not Georgia quality.’ The Senator said that Gov. Maddox was a child of fortune, just lucky, and couldn’t have beaten any other man in the race except the one he did beat. After his talk w/ Amb. Clark, the President affirmed his belief that he was a ‘Holt and Menzies man.’ Sen. Russell said that he hoped Holt was an LBJ man because he knew that he won eight seats at least as a result of the President’s visit there. The President said that when Holt was here he stood up and said, ‘All the Way with LBJ.’ The President appreciated that, but then took him aside, and said, ‘Now listen, I don’t want you to become a casualty. If you are lost, then I lose a good friend. They’ll murder you back home.’ ‘No, sir,’ replied the Prime Minister, ‘That’s the way it’s going to be.’ ‘And so it is,’ said the President.  The President then launched into a tirade against the newspaper reporters who follow him around at receptions. He explained to Senator Russell that Liz Carpenter’s procedure is to invite about 25 of them as guests to each reception type function and then allow a press pool to cover the whole thing. The President said that he can’t even swallow a mouthful of food without having one of them watch to see if he chewed it properly before swallowing. He said that all we’re doing is inviting 500 guests, standing them before the wall, and then making them be gracious to the 25 who come up to them and ask questions like, ’Are you happy here? Why are you here? Will you come next time? Are you a friend of the family? Isn’t the service worse here than it used to be? Isn’t the coffee weak?’ … At midnight. Senator Russell stood up and said. ‘Mr. President, it’s midnight, and I have to go to bed because I’m an old man, and you have to go to bed because you’re President of the United States.’” Top: Marie Fehmer; middle, l-r: Sen. Russell, Lester Maddox, Holt and LBJ; bottom,  Liz Carpenter in her office. 
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May 12, 1967. The President’s secretary recording the Daily Diary (probably Marie Fehmer) writes a beautifully detailed description of dinner conversation at LBJ’s table. Also present are Sen. Russell and aide Harry McPherson. 

“At dinner, the President told Senator Russell that what he needed to talk to him about was Vietnam …The President outlined three choices open to him: 

‘1. I can move further in the North—but they tell me that moving further in the north with the bombing will result in only killing civilians and will not accomplish anything that we’ve not already accomplished. 2. I can concentrate completely on the DMZ. 3. I can concentrate on the areas between the seventeenth and twentieth parallels and make my planes make that a desert. Just destroy anything that moves.’

Senator Russell feels that dragging this out each day leans more toward getting us in a big war. ‘We’ve just got to finish it soon.’ said the Senator, ‘because time is working against you both here and there.’ The Senator suggested that his feeling was that the only way to end the war was to blockade the ports and stop their lines of supply…The President expressed sincere belief that this would get us into war sooner than anything. He also felt that number (1) above would get us into war. ‘The only thing left to take out up there,’ said the President, ‘is a power plant which is located 1/2 mile from Ho’s headquarters. Suppose we missed,’ said the President.

The President then asked the Senator about Lester Maddox. The President told him, ‘Well, I watched him on Face the Nation last Sunday, and just decided that he definitely was not Georgia quality.’ The Senator said that Gov. Maddox was a child of fortune, just lucky, and couldn’t have beaten any other man in the race except the one he did beat.

After his talk w/ Amb. Clark, the President affirmed his belief that he was a ‘Holt and Menzies man.’ Sen. Russell said that he hoped Holt was an LBJ man because he knew that he won eight seats at least as a result of the President’s visit there. The President said that when Holt was here he stood up and said, ‘All the Way with LBJ.’ The President appreciated that, but then took him aside, and said, ‘Now listen, I don’t want you to become a casualty. If you are lost, then I lose a good friend. They’ll murder you back home.’ ‘No, sir,’ replied the Prime Minister, ‘That’s the way it’s going to be.’ ‘And so it is,’ said the President. 

The President then launched into a tirade against the newspaper reporters who follow him around at receptions. He explained to Senator Russell that Liz Carpenter’s procedure is to invite about 25 of them as guests to each reception type function and then allow a press pool to cover the whole thing. The President said that he can’t even swallow a mouthful of food without having one of them watch to see if he chewed it properly before swallowing. He said that all we’re doing is inviting 500 guests, standing them before the wall, and then making them be gracious to the 25 who come up to them and ask questions like, ’Are you happy here? Why are you here? Will you come next time? Are you a friend of the family? Isn’t the service worse here than it used to be? Isn’t the coffee weak?’ …

At midnight. Senator Russell stood up and said. ‘Mr. President, it’s midnight, and I have to go to bed because I’m an old man, and you have to go to bed because you’re President of the United States.’”

Top: Marie Fehmer; middle, l-r: Sen. Russell, Lester Maddox, Holt and LBJ; bottom,  Liz Carpenter in her office. 

May 12, 1967. Tensions in the Middle East are ratcheted upwards when Israel warns that continued attacks will bring serious consequences for the region. In 1966, a new radical government gained control in Syria and increases terrorist attacks against Israel. LBJ later described the escalation: “In November 1966 they [Israel] struck the Jordanian town of Es Samu, which they believed had been used as a base by Syrian terrorists. Retaliation had little effect. Syria and Egypt concluded a mutual defense agreement. Terrorist raids continued and tension increased into the Spring of 1967.  On May 12 of that year Israeli Prime Minister Levi Eshkol warned that more terrorism would bring further retaliatory action. Reports spread in Damascus that the Israelis were mobilizing major forces on the Syrian frontier for full-scale action.  We investigated, found the reports to be untrue, and informed the Russians and the nations bordering on Israel of this fact.  UN Secretary General U Thant spoke publicly to the same effect. At the same time, we received reports that Moscow had promised unlimited support to the Syrians…The Russians denied all knowledge of such a promise…Nevertheless, the Russians were helping to spread the rumor that the Israelis were mobilizing with the intention of striking Syria in a few days…Our reports indicated that the purpose of these rumors was to pressure Egypt into military support of Syria.” —Lyndon Baines Johnson, The Vantage Point, New York: Holt, Rinehart and Winston, 1971, pg. 289. LBJ Presidential Library photo, A5376-37, public domain. Map of Middle East via Google Maps. 
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May 12, 1967. Tensions in the Middle East are ratcheted upwards when Israel warns that continued attacks will bring serious consequences for the region. In 1966, a new radical government gained control in Syria and increases terrorist attacks against Israel. LBJ later described the escalation: “In November 1966 they [Israel] struck the Jordanian town of Es Samu, which they believed had been used as a base by Syrian terrorists. Retaliation had little effect. Syria and Egypt concluded a mutual defense agreement. Terrorist raids continued and tension increased into the Spring of 1967.  On May 12 of that year Israeli Prime Minister Levi Eshkol warned that more terrorism would bring further retaliatory action. Reports spread in Damascus that the Israelis were mobilizing major forces on the Syrian frontier for full-scale action.  We investigated, found the reports to be untrue, and informed the Russians and the nations bordering on Israel of this fact.  UN Secretary General U Thant spoke publicly to the same effect. At the same time, we received reports that Moscow had promised unlimited support to the Syrians…The Russians denied all knowledge of such a promise…Nevertheless, the Russians were helping to spread the rumor that the Israelis were mobilizing with the intention of striking Syria in a few days…Our reports indicated that the purpose of these rumors was to pressure Egypt into military support of Syria.” —Lyndon Baines Johnson, The Vantage Point, New York: Holt, Rinehart and Winston, 1971, pg. 289. LBJ Presidential Library photo, A5376-37, public domain. Map of Middle East via Google Maps. 
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May 12, 1967. Tensions in the Middle East are ratcheted upwards when Israel warns that continued attacks will bring serious consequences for the region.

In 1966, a new radical government gained control in Syria and increases terrorist attacks against Israel. LBJ later described the escalation:

“In November 1966 they [Israel] struck the Jordanian town of Es Samu, which they believed had been used as a base by Syrian terrorists.

Retaliation had little effect. Syria and Egypt concluded a mutual defense agreement. Terrorist raids continued and tension increased into the Spring of 1967.  On May 12 of that year Israeli Prime Minister Levi Eshkol warned that more terrorism would bring further retaliatory action. Reports spread in Damascus that the Israelis were mobilizing major forces on the Syrian frontier for full-scale action.  We investigated, found the reports to be untrue, and informed the Russians and the nations bordering on Israel of this fact.  UN Secretary General U Thant spoke publicly to the same effect.

At the same time, we received reports that Moscow had promised unlimited support to the Syrians…The Russians denied all knowledge of such a promise…Nevertheless, the Russians were helping to spread the rumor that the Israelis were mobilizing with the intention of striking Syria in a few days…Our reports indicated that the purpose of these rumors was to pressure Egypt into military support of Syria.”

—Lyndon Baines Johnson, The Vantage Point, New York: Holt, Rinehart and Winston, 1971, pg. 289. LBJ Presidential Library photo, A5376-37, public domain. Map of Middle East via Google Maps. 

May 11, 1967. 5;15 PM-5:25 PM. The American Helicopter Society presents LBJ and Lady Bird with an award in recognition of “your nearly 20 years of pioneering and regular utilization of helicopters for reliable, time-saving transportation in all parts of the world.” Of course, LBJ’s use of the helicopter in the 1948 campaign was especially innovative—and terrifying.  Photos clockwise from top: Signing the Immigration Bill, 10/3/65 (C666-6A-WH65); ‘48 campaign (48-6-7-26); travelling in Malaysia, 10/30/66 (a3440-4); picking up the Humphreys at the Ranch, 11/9/64,  and the ‘48 campaign (48-6-7-18). 
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May 11, 1967. 5;15 PM-5:25 PM. The American Helicopter Society presents LBJ and Lady Bird with an award in recognition of “your nearly 20 years of pioneering and regular utilization of helicopters for reliable, time-saving transportation in all parts of the world.” Of course, LBJ’s use of the helicopter in the 1948 campaign was especially innovative—and terrifying.  Photos clockwise from top: Signing the Immigration Bill, 10/3/65 (C666-6A-WH65); ‘48 campaign (48-6-7-26); travelling in Malaysia, 10/30/66 (a3440-4); picking up the Humphreys at the Ranch, 11/9/64,  and the ‘48 campaign (48-6-7-18). 
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May 11, 1967. 5;15 PM-5:25 PM. The American Helicopter Society presents LBJ and Lady Bird with an award in recognition of “your nearly 20 years of pioneering and regular utilization of helicopters for reliable, time-saving transportation in all parts of the world.” Of course, LBJ’s use of the helicopter in the 1948 campaign was especially innovative—and terrifying.  Photos clockwise from top: Signing the Immigration Bill, 10/3/65 (C666-6A-WH65); ‘48 campaign (48-6-7-26); travelling in Malaysia, 10/30/66 (a3440-4); picking up the Humphreys at the Ranch, 11/9/64,  and the ‘48 campaign (48-6-7-18). 
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May 11, 1967. 5;15 PM-5:25 PM. The American Helicopter Society presents LBJ and Lady Bird with an award in recognition of “your nearly 20 years of pioneering and regular utilization of helicopters for reliable, time-saving transportation in all parts of the world.” Of course, LBJ’s use of the helicopter in the 1948 campaign was especially innovative—and terrifying.  Photos clockwise from top: Signing the Immigration Bill, 10/3/65 (C666-6A-WH65); ‘48 campaign (48-6-7-26); travelling in Malaysia, 10/30/66 (a3440-4); picking up the Humphreys at the Ranch, 11/9/64,  and the ‘48 campaign (48-6-7-18). 
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May 11, 1967. 5;15 PM-5:25 PM. The American Helicopter Society presents LBJ and Lady Bird with an award in recognition of “your nearly 20 years of pioneering and regular utilization of helicopters for reliable, time-saving transportation in all parts of the world.” Of course, LBJ’s use of the helicopter in the 1948 campaign was especially innovative—and terrifying.  Photos clockwise from top: Signing the Immigration Bill, 10/3/65 (C666-6A-WH65); ‘48 campaign (48-6-7-26); travelling in Malaysia, 10/30/66 (a3440-4); picking up the Humphreys at the Ranch, 11/9/64,  and the ‘48 campaign (48-6-7-18). 
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May 11, 1967. 5;15 PM-5:25 PM. The American Helicopter Society presents LBJ and Lady Bird with an award in recognition of “your nearly 20 years of pioneering and regular utilization of helicopters for reliable, time-saving transportation in all parts of the world.” Of course, LBJ’s use of the helicopter in the 1948 campaign was especially innovative—and terrifying. 

Photos clockwise from top: Signing the Immigration Bill, 10/3/65 (C666-6A-WH65); ‘48 campaign (48-6-7-26); travelling in Malaysia, 10/30/66 (a3440-4); picking up the Humphreys at the Ranch, 11/9/64,  and the ‘48 campaign (48-6-7-18). 

May 11, 1967. Meeting in the Cabinet Room, Walt Rostow speaks as Francis Bator and others listen.  LBJ Presidential Library photo #C5360-23, public domain. 
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May 11, 1967. Meeting in the Cabinet Room, Walt Rostow speaks as Francis Bator and others listen. 

LBJ Presidential Library photo #C5360-23, public domain. 

The Secret Service says that there is one woman in the audience who may arise and say ‘Stop the War in Vietnam.’ You had better be thinking about what you will answer.

Note, Liz Carpenter to Lady Bird, during dinner and reception at the Hotel Pierre in New York City for Citizens’ Committee for the Children of New York. May 10, 1967. The evening passed without incident. As relayed in Lady Bird Johnson, A White House Diary, New York: Dell Books, 1971, pg 568.

May 9, 1967. President Lyndon B. Johnson greets His Excellency Yen Chia-Kan of the Republic of China, also known as Taiwan, at his Arrival Ceremony on the South Lawn of the White House. Later that day the two leaders exchange gifts. According to the Daily Diary, LBJ’s gift to the Chinese leader included a hi-fi and records.  LBJ Presidential Library photos # C5331-13 and A4092-11, public domain. 
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May 9, 1967. President Lyndon B. Johnson greets His Excellency Yen Chia-Kan of the Republic of China, also known as Taiwan, at his Arrival Ceremony on the South Lawn of the White House. Later that day the two leaders exchange gifts. According to the Daily Diary, LBJ’s gift to the Chinese leader included a hi-fi and records.  LBJ Presidential Library photos # C5331-13 and A4092-11, public domain. 
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May 9, 1967. President Lyndon B. Johnson greets His Excellency Yen Chia-Kan of the Republic of China, also known as Taiwan, at his Arrival Ceremony on the South Lawn of the White House. Later that day the two leaders exchange gifts. According to the Daily Diary, LBJ’s gift to the Chinese leader included a hi-fi and records. 

LBJ Presidential Library photos # C5331-13 and A4092-11, public domain. 

May 7, 1967. At the Ranch LBJ hosts what the Daily Diary describes as a “STRICTLY OFF THE RECORD MEETING: (a fundraising dinner in Texas in the near future).”  The next day, LBJ greets the public at Randolph Air Force Base before his return to Washington.  LBJ Presidential Library photos #5314-8 and #5319-07, public domain.
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May 7, 1967. At the Ranch LBJ hosts what the Daily Diary describes as a “STRICTLY OFF THE RECORD MEETING: (a fundraising dinner in Texas in the near future).”  The next day, LBJ greets the public at Randolph Air Force Base before his return to Washington.  LBJ Presidential Library photos #5314-8 and #5319-07, public domain.
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May 7, 1967. At the Ranch LBJ hosts what the Daily Diary describes as a “STRICTLY OFF THE RECORD MEETING: (a fundraising dinner in Texas in the near future).”  The next day, LBJ greets the public at Randolph Air Force Base before his return to Washington. 

LBJ Presidential Library photos #5314-8 and #5319-07, public domain.

May 2, 1967. More than two dozen members of the Black Panther Party for Self-Defense stage an armed invasion of the California State Assembly, interrupting legislative debate in the second-floor chamber. They denounce a proposed gun control bill and the police, and then Panther chairman Bobby Seale reads from their manifesto:  “The Black Panther Party for Self-Defense believes the time has come for Black people to arm themselves against this terror before it is too late.”  After reading the manifesto, the Panthers leave the chamber. Twenty-six members of the group are quickly arrested four blocks away. The Panthers were founded in October 1966 in Oakland by the six men pictured. Top left to right: Elbert “Big Man” Howard; Huey P. Newton (Defense Minister), Sherman Forte, Bobby Seale (Chairman). Bottom: Reggie Forte and Little Bobby Hutton (Treasurer). Photos via Wikimedia Commons.
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May 2, 1967. More than two dozen members of the Black Panther Party for Self-Defense stage an armed invasion of the California State Assembly, interrupting legislative debate in the second-floor chamber. They denounce a proposed gun control bill and the police, and then Panther chairman Bobby Seale reads from their manifesto:  “The Black Panther Party for Self-Defense believes the time has come for Black people to arm themselves against this terror before it is too late.”  After reading the manifesto, the Panthers leave the chamber. Twenty-six members of the group are quickly arrested four blocks away. The Panthers were founded in October 1966 in Oakland by the six men pictured. Top left to right: Elbert “Big Man” Howard; Huey P. Newton (Defense Minister), Sherman Forte, Bobby Seale (Chairman). Bottom: Reggie Forte and Little Bobby Hutton (Treasurer). Photos via Wikimedia Commons.
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May 2, 1967. More than two dozen members of the Black Panther Party for Self-Defense stage an armed invasion of the California State Assembly, interrupting legislative debate in the second-floor chamber. They denounce a proposed gun control bill and the police, and then Panther chairman Bobby Seale reads from their manifesto: 

“The Black Panther Party for Self-Defense believes the time has come for Black people to arm themselves against this terror before it is too late.” 

After reading the manifesto, the Panthers leave the chamber. Twenty-six members of the group are quickly arrested four blocks away.

The Panthers were founded in October 1966 in Oakland by the six men pictured. Top left to right: Elbert “Big Man” Howard; Huey P. Newton (Defense Minister), Sherman Forte, Bobby Seale (Chairman). Bottom: Reggie Forte and Little Bobby Hutton (Treasurer). Photos via Wikimedia Commons.

May 3, 1967, Lady Bird Johnson shakes hands with Lassie as others look on at the Keep America Beautiful Poster Presentation.  LBJ Presidential Library photo #C5290-28, public domain. 
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May 3, 1967, Lady Bird Johnson shakes hands with Lassie as others look on at the Keep America Beautiful Poster Presentation. 

LBJ Presidential Library photo #C5290-28, public domain. 

May 2, 1967. The Daily Diary records a White House visit by the brother of one of LBJ’s secretaries, Yolanda Boozer.  “5:30p to 6:20p. To the barbershop.  6:20p to 6:25p. From the barbershop, the President walked up the hall, asking, “Where are Yolanda and the brother?” — MW [Marvin Watson] told him they were in the Fish Room—and the President went in to greet Captain Xavier Garza, USAF — The President asked Capt Garza how told he was—couldn’t believe that he was 35 years old. Asked him where he would be stationed and what he would be going. Pictures were made. Told Capt Garza how proud he was of Yolanda and what a good loyal job she was doing for the President. NOTE : Captain Garza is holding secret orders — destination VietNam.”  LBJ Presidential Library photo #A4058-11, public domain. 
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May 2, 1967. The Daily Diary records a White House visit by the brother of one of LBJ’s secretaries, Yolanda Boozer. 

“5:30p to 6:20p. To the barbershop. 

6:20p to 6:25p. From the barbershop, the President walked up the hall, asking, “Where are Yolanda and the brother?” — MW [Marvin Watson] told him they were in the Fish Room—and the President went in to greet Captain Xavier Garza, USAF — The President asked Capt Garza how told he was—couldn’t believe that he was 35 years old. Asked him where he would be stationed and what he would be going. Pictures were made. Told Capt Garza how proud he was of Yolanda and what a good loyal job she was doing for the President.

NOTE : Captain Garza is holding secret orders — destination VietNam.” 

LBJ Presidential Library photo #A4058-11, public domain. 

May 1, 1967. LBJ cracks up Henry Cabot Lodge, former Ambassador to Vietnam, in the Oval Office.  LBJ Presidential Library photo #A4053-17, public domain. 
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May 1, 1967. LBJ cracks up Henry Cabot Lodge, former Ambassador to Vietnam, in the Oval Office. 

LBJ Presidential Library photo #A4053-17, public domain. 

May 1, 1967. A chef in the White House kitchen poses with one of their creations: desserts shaped like flowers in flower pots.  LBJ Presidential Library photo #C5271-16, public domain. 
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May 1, 1967. A chef in the White House kitchen poses with one of their creations: desserts shaped like flowers in flower pots. 

LBJ Presidential Library photo #C5271-16, public domain. 

April 28, 1967. LBJ referees a meeting with Congressional Leadership on the ongoing railroad labor dispute. Members present include Democratic and Republican leadership plus  ranking members of both the Senate Labor Committee and the House Commerce Committee.  LBJ Library photo 5221-5a, public domain. 
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April 28, 1967. LBJ referees a meeting with Congressional Leadership on the ongoing railroad labor dispute. Members present include Democratic and Republican leadership plus  ranking members of both the Senate Labor Committee and the House Commerce Committee. 

LBJ Library photo 5221-5a, public domain. 

April 27, 1967. General Westmoreland speaks at a meeting of foreign policy advisers about the situation in Vietnam.  “Westmoreland: “Without these forces (the 2–1/3 additional divisions plus 5 squadrons, making a total of 565,000 men in South Vietnam), we will not be in danger of being defeated, but it will be nip and tuck to oppose the reinforcements the enemy is capable of providing.” “In the final analysis, we are fighting a war of attrition in Southeast Asia.” “What is the next step? A second addition of 2–1/3 divisions, another 100,000 men, probably in FY 1969.” LBJ Presidential Library photo 5214-26, public domain. Westmoreland comments via Top Secret notes taken throughout the day by aide George Christian. Read more in the online Foreign Relations of the United States.
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April 27, 1967. General Westmoreland speaks at a meeting of foreign policy advisers about the situation in Vietnam. 

“Westmoreland: “Without these forces (the 2–1/3 additional divisions plus 5 squadrons, making a total of 565,000 men in South Vietnam), we will not be in danger of being defeated, but it will be nip and tuck to oppose the reinforcements the enemy is capable of providing.”

“In the final analysis, we are fighting a war of attrition in Southeast Asia.”

“What is the next step? A second addition of 2–1/3 divisions, another 100,000 men, probably in FY 1969.”

LBJ Presidential Library photo 5214-26, public domain. Westmoreland comments via Top Secret notes taken throughout the day by aide George Christian. Read more in the online Foreign Relations of the United States.