Discover the Surprising Side of LBJ: Top 9 Fun Facts About Lyndon B. Johnson You Never Knew!

1. LBJ's On-the-Go Scotch Refills

Here's a presidential 'on the rocks' for you: Lyndon B. Johnson was quite the mixologist, notorious for his penchant for bargain basement Scotch and the driving need for a sip while taking a spin around his Texas ranch in his Lincoln Continental. But never one to be shaken or stirred, LBJ devised a clever way to get 'refueled' on-the-go: he'd simply rattle the ice cubes in his plastic cup out the car window, prompting his dutiful Secret Service agents to leap into action and top off his high-octane concoction.
Source => usnews.com

2. The Master of the "Johnson Treatment"

If legendary Jedi master Yoda had taken up politics instead of coaching on the ways of the Force, Lyndon B. Johnson might just have been his star pupil: With a blend of persuasion, threats, past favor reminders, and flattery so powerful it could turn enemies into allies or make grown men cry, Johnson's notorious "Johnson Treatment" spoke volumes as he passed bills with the sheer force of his personality. Further exhibiting his presidential prowess, LBJ finessed the Civil Rights Act of 1964, bridging gaps between civil rights leaders and Republicans to create a more equitable galaxy—err, America.
Source => forbes.com

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3. The Nameless Baby President

Who says babies need names? For three months, one future president was just "Baby" to his mama and pop: Lyndon B. Johnson didn't have a moniker until his father named him after a hard-partying country lawyer called W.C. Linden, but with mom's preferred spelling. It wasn't until he shook hands with said lawyer on the campaign trail years later that LBJ realized how he got his name, and the spelling twist.
Source => deadpresidents.tumblr.com

4. LBJ's Beagle Love Affair

Before Rob and Big, there were Him and Her: Lyndon B. Johnson's beagles who stole the hearts of America and even graced the cover of Life magazine. The presidential pooches frequently interrupted meetings and phone calls, proving that nothing - not even the welfare of the nation - could come between LBJ and his beloved pets. The bond ran so deep that when signing the Animal Welfare Act in 1966, Johnson dedicated the bill to his canine companions.
Source => lbjlibrary.org

5. Electrifying Door-to-Door Salesman

Picture Lyndon B. Johnson as an electrifying door-to-door salesman, charming the socks off farmers and ranchers: This was actually his game-changing role in the summer of 1938, fervently advocating for rural electrification to improve the lives of thousands of hill country residents. His tireless campaigning led to the establishment of the Pedernales Electric Cooperative (PEC) in Johnson City, Texas, which remains a shining example of his dedication to the community.
Source => nps.gov

6. Pranking with Amphicar Plunges

Before diving into the weekend, Lyndon B. Johnson took the saying "driving into the sunset" rather literally and plunged into a different kind of thrill: Johnson was an avid fan of the Amphicar, a vehicle capable of traversing both land and water, and was known for taking guests on high-speed adventures, eventually pranking them by pretending the brakes failed and launching fearlessly into a lake.
Source => posterazzi.com

7. Amphibious Presidential Pranks

Imagine Lyndon B. Johnson hosting an episode of "Pimp My Ride," but instead of adding neon lights and booming sound systems, his go-to modification was turning cars into aquatic vessels: President Johnson owned an Amphicar, a unique automobile with the ability to traverse both land and water. He loved playing pranks on unsuspecting guests by suddenly driving the car into the lake, pretending the brakes had failed, only to reveal the car's amphibious nature as they floated along, much to his audience's shock and laughter.
Source => businessinsider.com

8. Appointing the First African-American Supreme Court Justice

Swapping Crimson for Black Robes: In a move that will forever be remembered as a champion of diversity, Lyndon B. Johnson appointed Thurgood Marshall, former chief counsel for the NAACP, as the first African-American Supreme Court justice in 1967, paving the way for greater inclusivity in government hierarchy.
Source => texasarchive.org

9. LBJ's Power Nap Strategy

Who says the art of the siesta is just for Spanish afternoons? Lyndon B. Johnson, the 36th President of the United States, snuck in a power nap to jazz up his productivity: Dividing his days into two shifts, LBJ would work from the early morning until lunchtime, indulge in a 30-minute snooze, and then resume his presidential duties for a "second shift" into the late night hours – quite the nifty approach for punchy policies and well-rested witticisms!
Source => vitalistics.com