He is the only President to have served as President and vice President having not been elected to both, truly unique

This was Mr. Ford's finest hour. He stepped up when the country needed him, and he did the best he could. The process worked.

He entered the Presidency under a tumultuous time in America. He was called a dummy and a baffoon but looking back he was exactly what this nation needed.

I think Ford has always been underrated. He was one of the most honest and decent men to hold the office. Cleaning up Nixon's mess was a thankless task.

I had the opportunity to shake hands with President Ford not once but twice. First was during the 1976 Campaign. I found out he was going to have a rally at the Rochester, NY airport and begged my parents to take me (A two hour drive round trip). It was pouring rain, but an estimated 10,000 supporters were there cheering as Air Force One landed. We were right up at the front of the receiving line, and for a 12 year old kid, I was thrilled beyond belief when he passed by and grabbed my hand. 24 years later, I attended a dinner in his honor at my undergraduate alma mater. I sat at the next table. As soon as the dinner was over, I thrust my Kodak disposable camera into the hands of the University President and said "Take my picture with President Ford." I introduced myself, telling him I was a fellow left-hander and Eagle Scout, and reminded him of the Rochester event. He recalled it fondly, and now on my wall, I have a cherished photo of the both us looking at each other and shaking hands. In addition, I have a signed photo and a signed letter he sent me in response to a letter I had written to him years before, thanking him for getting me interested in a public policy career. He was the right man at the right time.

I remember this day(Nixon's Departure/Ford's inauguration) because my mother made me and my siblings stay inside and watch it. "This is history and you'll tell your kids about it,"She told us.

1:58 - The enormity of the situation hits him. It must've been a truly surreal experience.

I am a Democrat born and raised in Grand Rapids, MI. I never voted for Gerald Ford, either as our Congressman or as our President. But I knew then, as I know today, this was a good man. You don't have to vote for him to like him. And, I have run across few folks who didn't like Jerry Ford. This speech was a soothing bandage to America back then.

This will always be my favourite inaugural address. It's so simple yet so powerful, especially because how a lot of what President Ford says applies now more than ever. Defending the rule of law, democracy, and honesty in government. He restored dignity to the office. That is truly needed today.

He looked like a man being led to his execution. I cannot imagine the mess he had to face when he took office.

We need a Gerald Ford right now.

The only man to serve and both Vice President and President without being elected.

He and Jimmy Carter..the two underrated presidents of my lifespan...

Amazing. His voice broke when he said "peace to millions" at 8:55. Supremely human moment.

One of best Inaugural Addresses ever.

I'm from the UK and have visited USA just three times in my life. I remember watching this event when I was just 16. I could almost feel the strong wave of relief coming over the ocean and caused by his swearing-in. There was nothing dogmatic at all about this man and this was just what was needed in those extraordinary circumstances if you don't mind me saying so. I was very sorry he was not elected in 1976.

A respectful person who brought the country into a new era.

We could use another Gerald R Ford again

Considering the unusual circumstances of that moment in our Nation's History, there was not a better choice than Jerry Ford in my opinion and he did his very best.

That was a historic day.

Ford was a decent man. A bit dull but stable and reassuring. And he done his best under hugely demanding circumstances. Respect from the UK

The first election I was eligible to vote was for President Ford. I am in my mid 60s now. I am proud of my decision to vote for him.

CJ Burger did swearing ins like a boss. Not as dry as Reinquiest or not even bother to read it like Roberts and have to do it over

I remember Watergate very well and saw his swearing in! And like President Ford, said "The National Nightmare is over". I agree it was a nightmare! I believe like God, had Esther, Joseph, and others ready for greatness, he had Gerry Ford, ready too! :) Yes......Chief Justice Burger, did a wonderful job. He too, was perfect for the part! Undoubtedly, this was one of the most Historic Presidential speeches ever and sincere too. God Bless President Ford! I'm sure he's still praying for America in Heaven! God Bless!

I am proud liberal Democrat, but I would have fully supported and I fully respect Gerald Ford.

I think he was a good President of the United States.

A most professional swearing by CJ Burgher (who I always thought had the best method of administering the oath). He would always address the nominee by his previous rank/position and enquire of his willingness to take the oath. Although not really an inaugural address, this remains one of the best first speeches by any President.

Thank you for healing the wounds of Watergate Gerald Ford. :)

One of my favorite Presidents.

Peaceful transfer of power to the only President not elected to the office. We can learn a lot from this era.

“There is no way we can go forward except together”. True about America, true about the World. True today, true forever.

It really hits him at 1:58.

For me, the most emotionally honest Inaugural Address ever delivered. He became president without ever facing a national election. He was truly humbled and even overwhelmed by the office he took upon his shoulders. I find it interesting that when his voice cracks and he gets emotional, the cameras stay on other people and not on him. I think they thought the nation had had enough and needed a strong leader, and so they made sure that the cameras were not on him when his voice started to crack. And just another note -- think of what Betty Ford was going through at that time! She suffered a lot! The Betty Ford Clinic was the fruit of her suffering.

Gerald Ford was a good man at the wrong place at the right time in American History.

An un-elected President, a reluctant President, yet a man of immense dignity and strength, a man who had the burden of the office of President. He knew that the nation needed healing. He left America in a far better state than it was when he took office. He was an un sung hero.

his speech makes me tears up… I love this...I love America and I am proud to be an American by choice.

He was a good man, a WW2 Navy Veteran. He and President Carter became good friends in their old age.

Betty was a great woman and helped save many lives.

Classy man.

Gerry Ford was a good man and a good President. We'd be lucky to have him back.

He was obviously a good man. So good that he got choked up when speaking about Richard Nixon, who had truly made a mess of his presidency for no good reason. Why should Ford have gotten emotional about that?

About as good a speech as anyone could have asked for at that moment. Ford was a stud. "I am indebted to no man."

One of the greatest and most underrated speeches in American history in my honest opinion! I love it!!!!!

Gerald R. Ford 1974-1977

I love you Gerald Ford.

I was 13 years old when this happened and I remember it vividly. While I did not support President Ford in the 1976 election, I truly believe that Gerald Ford was the right person for that moment of crisis in our nation’s history, and that he will stand among the most honorable, honest, humble, and decent men of integrity to serve in that high office. I feel the same way about President Carter. And it grieves me deeply that these same attributes are so sorely lacking in the current incumbent in the White House. May God preserve our country and inspire the service of men and women of integrity and high character like Presidents Ford and Carter, statesmen who can lead our great nation effectively and with honesty and humility!

This guy was on the Warren commission.

Gerald Ford may have gotten in under bizarre circumstances, but man in his short term, he really proved himself worthy of being President, along with his wife Betty as FLOTUS. Truly class acts. It's such a shame he couldn't win in 1976. In my opinion, he deserved more time in the office as he could have done even more great work, but in hindsight it worked out for the best, since his wife Betty's alcoholism was getting way worse in 1976. Don't think she could have survived 4 additional years in office.

Ford was exactly who the nation needed at that time. it tugs my heartstrings to hear him almost burst into tears at around 8:53 when he asked the nation to pray for Richard Nixon. Ford was a genuinely good man, an honest American and a genuinely kind person. he was the closest we ever got to a normal everyday American in the Oval Office.

The first president I remember I was 7 at the time

He didn't let me down.

A true American. 🇺🇸

It sinks in at 1:57

Such a truthful speech! I love this!!!

A good president.

Can only imagine what he was thinking. I feel like Ford would’ve done so much better if America wasn’t in such a mess at the time.

He looked very presidential.

No Chief Justice did better swearings-in than Warren Burger.

Not a great president, but what a calming figure and a decent man who really did try his best

God Bless You and Thank You Gerald R. Ford. Nixon wasn't a saint but he was nowhere near the worst President in United States history. In fact he was the Best International Affairs President in United States History. Nixon should have had a lot more God fearing men like Gerald R. Ford as his running mate in 1968 instead of Spiro Agnew.

the caretaker president

He'd have my vote !

I wished the inauguration was like this and not outside with all those crowds and celebration.

Gerald Ford was one of the most honest, caring, and humble gentlemen to serve this great nation. We needed him and he took on that responsibility with class and courage.

I was 18 years old in 1976 my first vote was for President ford. I knew l was a conservative. May our lord bless President ford for everything he did for this nation

"Our long national nightmare is over. The Constitution worked!"

Regardless of how many years he was president, this man was an excellent speaker and was just trying to heal the nation

my president yesterday today ❤

i've always felt that Gerald Ford should have been selected as Nixon's Vice President running mate in 1968 instead of Spiro Agnew. i still believe Nixon would have won by a landslide in 1968 and 1972 with Gerald Ford as his Vice President.

I remember this when I was a boy. A class act and a great example for us kids at the time.

Humble...

I agree James, he had the potential to be one of the best presidents in history had he gotten the chance to do so. The 16 months in the White House he had was no where near long enough to get things done.

He was VP to Richard Nixon, thus was sworn in as president when Richard Nixon resigned.

Does this take place after Nixon's departure from the White House?

He did what he could, and it was my privilege to serve under him as President and as Commander in Chief.

It sinks in at 2:00 exactly

I bet he was still in shock at this point

they had 3 sm57s on the lectern back then rather than the 2. interesting.

❤ thank you

I was about six months past my third birthday when Ford became the president. I was too young then to remember this event now, but when I first became old enough to understand that we had a president and a simplistic version of what the president's job was Ford was in office. The first presidential election I remember was Ford's loss to Jimmy Carter in 1976.

I absolutely love this the only president that I've ever shaken hands with for my home state of Michigan

As a Brit, it is striking how similar his ascension was to Abraham Lincoln; both Republicans trying to heal the wounds of a past age. A true statesman and an honourable man who was far greater than his critics!

I wasn't around yet during the Presidency of Gerald Ford as I was born a little more than 6 months after his term was over. While I can't speak on first hand knowledge, I can say that based on everything I have seen and read about the man, he seems like a decent, honest, and all around good man.

Thus begins his 2-year presidency.

I watched this at home. Ford was the keynote speaker at my brother's college graduation from Ohio State a few weeks later. Ironicallyat Ohio State.

Pure awesomeness. Gerald Ford was one of the most decent Americans in all history. Decency. It still matters.

100 ! 💯 ♥️

Historic

What happen to honest people I was always curious what it was like back in the old days no social media. Seems like it turned everybody against each other so sad why can’t we just respect and love one another we share the same country for crying 😢 out loud

This man perfectly designed decency, like no other politician I have ever seen. I'm a Trump supporter, but I also believe that our current President could have done well, to seek out Gerald Ford's mentoring. God bless America!

My father was 13 when Nixon resigned, I wonder if during my generations lifetime we'll see a president resign

First command was to pardon nixon, gotta love this man because of his speech.

Somebody had to take those hard iron punches into the stomach, and Ford had the hardest of them.

In normal circumstances Spiro Agnew would've been sworn in as President at this moment. However it was left to Gerald Ford to step in and as best he could heal the nation. Still open to dispute if the nation was healed under Ford but he was a good man.

Eloquent .

7:36

A MIchigan Man at the helm who brought dignitas to the office of President of the United States. He has a tear in his eye

I am, Sir !

If only we had his honesty and integrity today. A good and decent man.

Hi! Pleased to meet you, I just moved in. My name is Gerry Ford.