1908: Born in Texas

1928-31: Teaches school in Texas

1931-35: Serves as aide to Texas congressman Richard Kleberg

1937-49: Serves as U.S. representative from Texas

1949-61: Serves as U.S. senator from Texas

1961-63: Serves as vice president under John F. Kennedy

1963-69: Serves as thirty-sixth U.S. president following assassination of Kennedy

1964: Gulf of Tonkin incident prompts heightened U.S. involvement in the Vietnam War

1973: Dies in Texas