Rare Footage of President Johnson Rehearsing March 31, 1968 Speech
Channel: TheLBJLibrary
Date: 28/03/2018

On March 31, 1968, President Lyndon Baines Johnson uttered those now famous words: "I shall not seek, and I will not accept, the nomination of my party for another term as your president." 

The LBJ Presidential Library has now released rare footage of Johnson preparing to deliver the speech that ended his presidency. The grainy, black-and-white footage captures Johnson seated in the Oval Office, checking facts, ordering last-minute changes to the historic speech, and practicing his delivery. Aides can be seen scurrying in the background, and reading the teleprompter with Johnson.

To keep his decision a surprise and preserve all options until the last minute, the president did not practice the final words of the speech ("I shall not seek, and I will not accept...") that he would deliver later that night. 

For more information: press release regarding the rehearsal footage release: http://www.lbjlibrary.org/press/rare-video-released-of-president-johnson-rehearsing-historic-march-31-1968

Watch the final speech: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FFyhAcp2DG4

Text of the final speech: http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/ws/index.php?pid=28772