Intro At 2:38 PM, on Nov. 22, 1963, Lyndon B. Johnson took the oath of office as the 36th president of the United States. John F. Kennedy had been shot while riding in a parade through downtown Dallas. Johnson was riding two cars behind Kennedy. Johnson was Kennedy’s vice president so he immediately became president. He was the fourth to be promoted to presidency by the assassination of the a president. Johnson’s first message to the nation was the same day as the assassination. One of the most memorable lines from his speech was, "I will do my best. That is all I can do. I ask for your help, and God's." Johnson's father was. Samuel E