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WASHINGTON (AP) — Of the 49 vice presidents in U.S. history, nine of them — or nearly 1 in 5 — have risen to the presidency due to death or resignation.
The first was John Tyler, who became president after William Henry Harrison died one month into his term. The most recent was Gerald Ford, who took office upon Richard Nixon's resignation.
Here are the 9 vice presidents who unexpectedly became president -- and their moments of power.
Abraham Lincoln was fatally shot at Ford's Theater in 1865 near the end of the Civil War, making Johnson the first of four vice presidents to ascend to the presidency after an assassination. Johnson oversaw Reconstruction, which was the reunification of the Confederate states into the Union. The process is widely viewed as falling short by failing to achieve equal rights for freed slaves. Johnson became the first president to be impeached during a controversy over removing the secretary of war. Although he wasn’t removed from office, his bid for a full term failed.
Arthur took office after the assassination of James Garfield in 1881. One of his legacies is the civil service system, which shielded some federal government positions from being used for political patronage. He also signed legislation banning the immigration of people from China. Arthur was not nominated for a full term of his own.
Coolidge became president after Warren Harding died of a heart attack in 1923. He became known for his circumspect leadership, limiting government intrusion into the economy during years of growth. Coolidge was reelected in 1924 but chose not to run for another term in 1928.
Ford was appointed vice president by Richard Nixon in 1973 when his first vice president, Spiro Agnew, resigned after pleading guilty to tax evasion. The following year, Ford became president as Nixon stepped down when it appeared likely that Congress was going to impeach him and remove him from office over the Watergate scandal. In his first speech after taking the oath of office, Ford told Americans that “I am acutely aware that you have not elected me as your president by your ballots, and so I ask you to confirm me as your president with your prayers.” Ford is remembered for the controversial decision to pardon Nixon of any crimes he committed. Ford never had an opportunity to serve a full term, and he was defeated by Jimmy Carter in the 1976 election.