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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 Most Awful Responsibility a Man Ever Had...
Image courtesy of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum.
Image courtesy of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum.

The Most Awful Responsibility a Man Ever Had...

Artifact ID1973.1.2182
Object Type Cartoon Drawing
Artist (United States)
Publisher (founded 1888)
Gifter
Date ca. November 1965
Medium Ink and grease pencil on drawing paper
DimensionsOverall H 19 in x W 13 in (48.3 cm x 33 cm )
Physical Description
Physical DescriptionOriginal cartoon drawing. LBJ gazes from White House window, holding in his right hand a list ("Viet Casualty Figures"). Caption: “‘...The Most Awful Responsibility a Man Ever Had.’ Harry Truman on the Presidency”. Artist signature lower right: "Brooks The Birmingham News”.
Inscriptions and MarkingsHandwritten at lower left: “-make 29 picas wide-”. Handwritten at lower right: “-Sunday- Nov. 28th 1965”.
Historical NoteIn August 1964, US ships were seemingly attacked in the Gulf of Tonkin, leading to the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution that allowed President Johnson to take military action. In February 1965, Johnson authorized Operation Rolling Thunder to bomb North Vietnam. By 1965, President Johnson escalated the conflict to a full-scale war and over 1967, there were 500,000 American troops in Vietnam.
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 B Johnson Presidential Library in 1973.
Credit LineGift of Lyndon Baines Johnson
National Archives Catalog CollectionLyndon B. Johnson Library Museum Collection (National Archives Identifier 192413)
National Archives Catalog SeriesGifts from the General Public (National Archives Identifier 189698395)
Use Restriction StatusRestricted - Fully
Use Restriction NoteCopyright or other proprietary rights are held by individuals or entities other than the Lyndon Johnson Presidential Library and Museum. The Lyndon Johnson Presidential Library and Museum does not warrant that the use of these 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 Harry S. Truman (United States, 1884 - 1972)
Person Referenced Lyndon Baines Johnson (United States, 1908 - 1973)
In Collection(s)
Not on view
Place Described
Washington
Place of Publication
Birmingham
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