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Image courtesy of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum.
Image courtesy of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum.
The First Gun of August
Image courtesy of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum.
Image courtesy of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum.

The First Gun of August

Artifact ID1973.1.594
Artist (United States, 1912 - 1981)
Publisher (founded 1829)
Date ca. August 1965
Medium Ink on Craftint paper
DimensionsOverall H 12 1/2 in x W 17 1/2 in (31.8 cm x 44.5 cm )

Physical Description
Physical DescriptionOriginal cartoon drawing. LBJ fires his gun ("Charge of 'Untrue' Talk") at a car (“Rep. Ford”) as it drives into the distance. LBJ has a card (“Vietnam”) in his pocket. Caption: “The First Gun of August”. Artist signature lower right: "B. Green”.
Inscriptions and MarkingsPrinted across bottom: [Craftint manufacturer's markings]. Handwritten at lower right: [blue] “Journal Tues” “3 Aug 65”. Handwritten at lower right: [red] “555”.
Historical NoteIn January 1965, House Minority Leader Gerald Ford criticized the bombing of North Vietnamese supply lines in Laos and the lack of transparency in the Johnson administration about its Vietnam policy.
Additional Details
Custodial History NoteThe item was a gift from the general public to President Johnson during his term in office. It was received by President Johnson, until the President donated it to the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum in 1973.
Credit LineGift of Lyndon Baines Johnson
Use Restriction StatusRestricted - Fully
Use Restriction NoteCopyright or other proprietary rights are held by individuals or entities other than the LBJ Presidential Library and Museum. The LBJ Presidential Library and Museum does not warrant that the use of materials will not infringe on the rights of third parties holding the rights to these works, or make any representations or warranties with respect to the application or terms of any international agreement, treaty, or protections that may apply. It is your responsibility to determine and satisfy any copyright or other use restrictions. Pertinent regulations can be found at 36 C.F.R 1254.62.
Person Referenced Lyndon Baines Johnson (United States, 1908 - 1973)
Person Referenced Gerald R. Ford (United States, 1913 - 2006)
Not on view
Place of Publication
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