Presidency of Gerald Ford

11:35 a.m.: a set of initials

In 1974, Richard Nixon's signed resignation became effective when Secretary of State Henry Kissinger initialed the letter at 11:35 a.m. That, not the oath, ended Nixon's presidency.

Nixon had resigned after the Watergate evidence destroyed his remaining congressional support and made impeachment and likely removal appear unavoidable.

Noon in the East Room

Chief Justice Warren Burger administered the presidential oath to Gerald Ford at noon, with Betty Ford holding the Bible.

Ford then addressed the country live on nationwide radio and television. He acknowledged that voters had not elected him to either executive office, and asked Americans to confirm him with their prayers.

The rest of the afternoon

Ford had reached the vice presidency through nomination and congressional confirmation under the Twenty-fifth Amendment — the Senate voted 92–3, the House 387–35.

Within minutes of the broadcast he was meeting bipartisan congressional leaders, then senior White House staff, economic advisers and foreign diplomats. He appointed Jerald terHorst press secretary the same afternoon.

The vice presidency was now vacant. Nelson Rockefeller was nominated on 20 August and did not take the office until 19 December.