Check Out This Incredible Moment In History Where Lady Bird Johnson Encouraged Her Husband To Steer The Beautification Act Of America

Find out more about this amazing piece of American history.

Jesse

• Published in Interesting
• November 29, 2022

Throughout history, the United States has enjoyed an array of good leaders that have led it to its top spot globally.

From presidents like George Washington to Abraham Lincoln and even the short-lived presidency of J.F Kennedy, the entire world has always looked up to every US presidential inauguration.

This is because, as the head of the last remaining global superpower, the US president is regarded as one of the most powerful political figures in the world. 

The U.S president has significant global hard and soft power as the head of the country with the largest nominal GDP.

However, it’s not only the presidents of the U.S that have been instrumental in the growth of the country. The First Ladies have been too, and one Redditor found proof. 

A Redditor shared on the TIL subreddit that they had recently learned of Lady Bird Johnson’s primary role in the passage of the Beautification Act Of America bill. Lady Bird was the first president's wife to advocate actively for legislation. 

As First Lady, Lady Bird persuaded her husband, Lyndon B. Johnson, to steer a bill through congress. This bill caused insulators, arresters, and transformers on electric poles to be painted sky blue or grey.

She was also responsible for the Society for a More Beautiful National Capital, a project that involved planting millions of flowers to improve physical conditions in Washington, D.C.

Check out the full story below!

The true story behind The Beautification Act of America

How the Highway Beautification Act Became a Law

Excerpts from an account by The Washington Post of how House passage came about in the early morning hours of October 8, 1965:

It continues...

An account in Washington's Evening Star added:

Despite the acrimonious debate, the account did find at least one positive note:

The Highway Beautification Act was signed by the President on October 22, 1965. Interestingly, this was 2 weeks after returning from a surgery.

President Johnson's words:

"Beauty belongs to all the people"

President Johnson's stay in the hospital is better remembered by historians for an event that occurred on October 20th of that year.

Years later, the House of Representatives honoured Mrs. Johnson for her role in making the US a more beautiful country

Here's how the Reddit community reacted to the story:

"She was trying to stop the proliferation of ugly billboards."

"She was responsible for the planting of thousands of miles of flowering trees, bushes, and shrubs along America's highways"

"And also kept advertisements off water towers"

"The idea was that if the environment around you is sh*tty then you're more likely to treat it, yourself and the people around you like sh*t."

It’s easy to tell that the people in the comments section are all fans of Lady Bird Johnson. Some outlined the achievements of the late first lady.

Just like members of the House of Representatives, many Americans who are family with this story acknowledge Lady Bird's immense contributions. In the words of one Redditor ", She was a brilliant political strategist."

What’s your opinion about Lady Bird Johnson? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below! 

Jesse