http://www.history.com/photos/gerald-ford View an image slideshow on President Gerald Ford. en Copyright 2013, History.com Thu, 23 May 2013 04:00:00 GMT History.com 2013-05-23T04:00:00Z en Copyright 2013, History.com http://www.history.com/photos/gerald-ford/photo1 On July 14, 1913, Gerald R. Ford is born Leslie Lynch King, Jr. in Omaha, Nebraska. His name was changed to reflect his step-father's name. http://www.history.com/photos/gerald-ford/photo1 http://www.history.com/photos/gerald-ford/photo2 Ford grew up in Grand Rapids, Michigan. http://www.history.com/photos/gerald-ford/photo2 http://www.history.com/photos/gerald-ford/photo3 Ford played football at the University of Michigan, where he was voted the team's most valuable player in his senior year. http://www.history.com/photos/gerald-ford/photo3 http://www.history.com/photos/gerald-ford/photo4 Ford served in World War II from 1942 until the war ended in 1945. http://www.history.com/photos/gerald-ford/photo4 http://www.history.com/photos/gerald-ford/photo5 During a job as a model, Ford met his future wife, Elizabeth Anne Bloomer, who was nicknamed Betty. They married in 1948. http://www.history.com/photos/gerald-ford/photo5 http://www.history.com/photos/gerald-ford/photo6 In 1948, Ford was elected to Congress; his career included service on the Warren Commission that investigated President John F. Kennedy's assassination. http://www.history.com/photos/gerald-ford/photo6 http://www.history.com/photos/gerald-ford/photo7 In December 1973, President Richard Nixon chose Ford as his vice president after Spiro Agnew resigned following charges of tax evasion. http://www.history.com/photos/gerald-ford/photo7 http://www.history.com/photos/gerald-ford/photo8 In 1974, Nixon resigned in the face of impeachment by Congress over the Watergate burglary scandal. http://www.history.com/photos/gerald-ford/photo8 http://www.history.com/photos/gerald-ford/photo9 Ford took the oath of office on August 9, 1974. Ford is the first President who was neither elected President nor Vice-President. http://www.history.com/photos/gerald-ford/photo9 http://www.history.com/photos/gerald-ford/photo10 In a controversial and unpopular move, Ford pardons Nixon of any crime. http://www.history.com/photos/gerald-ford/photo10 http://www.history.com/photos/gerald-ford/photo11 Ford met with Soviet leader Leonid Brezhnev in hopes to normalize relations during the Cold War. http://www.history.com/photos/gerald-ford/photo11 http://www.history.com/photos/gerald-ford/photo12 Ford works with Henry Kissinger on arms limitations. http://www.history.com/photos/gerald-ford/photo12 http://www.history.com/photos/gerald-ford/photo13 Ford was responsible for governing the nation in the aftermath of the divisive Vietnam War and the Watergate scandal. http://www.history.com/photos/gerald-ford/photo13 http://www.history.com/photos/gerald-ford/photo14 Gerald Ford described his administration's policies as "moderate in domestic affairs, conservative in fiscal affairs, and internationalist in foreign affairs." http://www.history.com/photos/gerald-ford/photo14 http://www.history.com/photos/gerald-ford/photo15 On September 5, 1975, in Sacramento, California, a woman named Lynette "Squeaky" Fromme attempted to shoot Ford, but the gun misfired. Fromme was a Charles Manson follower. http://www.history.com/photos/gerald-ford/photo15 http://www.history.com/photos/gerald-ford/photo16 On September 22, 1975, Ford narrowly escaped another assassination attempt when Sara Jane Moore tried to kill the president in San Francisco. http://www.history.com/photos/gerald-ford/photo16 http://www.history.com/photos/gerald-ford/photo17 Ford's presidency coincided with the Bicentennial of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. http://www.history.com/photos/gerald-ford/photo17 http://www.history.com/photos/gerald-ford/photo18 Ford lost his first official presidential race in 1976 to Democrat Jimmy Carter. http://www.history.com/photos/gerald-ford/photo18 http://www.history.com/photos/gerald-ford/photo19 Ford remained actively involved in public policy during his retirement. http://www.history.com/photos/gerald-ford/photo19 http://www.history.com/photos/gerald-ford/photo20 Ford died on December 26, 2006, at the age of 93. He lived longer then any other former president. http://www.history.com/photos/gerald-ford/photo20