Lyndon Johnson beats Barry Goldwater for the presidential election in 1964.

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When Ronald Reagan, as spokesperson for General Electric, gives his “Time for Choosing” speech in support of Barry Goldwater’s 1964 presidential run, he establishes himself as an important player in the Republican Party and jumpstarts his political career.

Senator Barry M Goldwater announced his candidacy for the U.S. presidency on January 3, 1964. The leader of the conservative wing of the Republican Party succeeded in winning the presidential nomination at the Republican National Convention in July. The very outspoken critic of opponent President Lyndon B. Johnson and his civil rights legislation was defeated.

In a campaign speech during his run for president in 1964, Sen. Barry Goldwater talks about his ideas on national defense.

On July 16, 1964, Sen. Barry Goldwater accepted the presidential nomination at the Republican National Convention in San Francisco. In his speech, he strikes a controversial note as he calls for "extremism" in dealing with America's Cold War enemies.

On January 20, 1965, Lyndon B. Johnson began his first elected term as president of the United States. In his inaugural address, Johnson calls for the nation to unite toward a common goal.

After weeks of campaigning, Sen. Lyndon Johnson of Texas officially announces his candidacy for the Democratic presidential nomination at a press conference on July 5, 1960. But by July 14, after a poor first-ballot showing against Sen. John F. Kennedy, Johnson accepted a second-place role, becoming his former rival's running mate.