Remember When Ah Only Had...
Artifact ID1973.1.1699
Object Type
Cartoon Drawing
Artist
John Yardley-Jones
(Canada, 1930 - 2023)
Gifter
John Yardley-Jones
Date
ca. February 1968
Medium
Ink and applied shading on illustration board
DimensionsOverall H 15 in x W 13 1/4 in (38.1 cm x 33.7 cm )
Physical DescriptionPhysical DescriptionOriginal cartoon drawing. LBJ and Lady Bird lay in twin beds. She lies with her head turned away from the lamp (recognizable as a figurine of Richard Nixon). LBJ is wide awake, surrounded by the latest Vietnam bulletins and three telephones. Caption: “Remember When Ah Only Had Mah Sagging Popularity Polls to Keep Me Awake Nights?”. Also printed lower right: “The Telegram, Toronto. Feb. 2nd 1968.” Artist signature lower left: "Yardley-Jones. The Telegram."
Inscriptions and MarkingsHandwritten at upper left: "Best wishes Mr. President! Yardley Jones".
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 and in March, 3500 Marines were deployed in Vietnam. Over 1965, President Johnson escalated the conflict to a full-scale war and over 1967, there were 500,000 American troops in Vietnam. The war’s unpopularity in the United States was increased further by the North Vietnamese Tet Offensive in early 1968, which led to even greater casualties. President Johnson’s approval ratings were very high at the start of his presidency and remained fairly high throughout 1964 and 1965 while much of the Great Society legislation was getting passed. By 1966, as the Vietnam War escalated, his approval and disapproval ratings were around the same. Throughout 1967-1968, his approval ratings continued to decline. On January 23, 1968, the USS Pueblo was captured by North Korea, which claimed that the ship had entered North Korean territory. In response, President Johnson negotiated for the release of the captive sailors to avoid getting into another war.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
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 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
Richard Nixon
(United States, 1913 - 1994)
Person Referenced
Lyndon Baines Johnson
(United States, 1908 - 1973)
Person Referenced
Lady Bird Johnson
(United States, 1912 - 2007)
In Collection(s)
Not on view
Place Described
Place of Publication