On this day in March 1966, President Johnson signed the “Cold War GI Bill, called the "Veterans Readjustment Benefits Act of 1966." This G.I. Bill provided a permanent program of educational assistance, home and farm loans, hospitalization and medical care, job counseling and placement services, federal job preference and other benefits to veterans who served after January 31, 1955.

On this day in March 1967, President Johnson spoke on the phone with Senator Richard Russell.

[Listen to the entire telephone conversation by clicking here]

They discussed Senator Robert F. Kennedy’s Senate speech proposing a bombing halt to bring about Vietnam peace negotiations; past U. S. bombing pauses, peace efforts; LBJ’s messages to Ho Chi Minh; Harold Wilson-Alexsei Kosygin peace effort; background of the 37-day bombing pause.

On this day in March 1967, President Johnson spoke at a ceremony marking the 100th anniversary of Howard University in Washington, D.C.

“For the work that lies ahead is demanding, and it involves far too many lives in urgent need of help, to be parceled out by race. Tomorrow's problems, which will be placed squarely in your hands, will not be divided into ‘Negro problems’ and ’white problems.’ There will be only human problems, and there will be more than enough to go around.

I said at the beginning that this day is for prayers of thanksgiving, for remembrance, and wonder.

Our prayers are to the God who has strengthened the will of a grateful people. Our remembrance is of those who created and sustained this great university, and brought here thousands of young men and women from all over the world, and gave them the power to serve their fellow man.

Our wonder--our very great wonder--is for the human spirit, that having endured infinite wrongs, can yet hold to its faith in the dignity of life.

For one hundred years, that spirit has prevailed here at Howard University. May it always prevail.”

On this day in March 1968, President Johnson made remarks as he visited the NASA Manned Spacecraft Center in Houston, Texas. LBJ said, “This new institute is a center of research that is designed specifically for the age of space. Here will come the scientists--and their students--from all corners of the world.

….

This new Houston Lunar Science Institute will provide new means of communication and research for the world's entire scientific community. It will help unite the nations for the great challenge of space.”

On this day in March 1965, President Johnson had a telephone conversation with Congressman Adam Clayton Powell. Presidential Aide Jack Valenti also participated in the conversation.

[Listen to the entire telephone conversation by clicking here]

In the conversation, Powell objected to an Appalachia Bill provision allowing the Commerce Department to change education programs; the two men discussed the Supreme Court decision on de facto school segregation; LBJ chastised Powell for delays on the Elementary and Secondary Education Bill.

On this day in March 1965, President Johnson spoke to the National Conference on Educational Legislation regarding current legislation before Congress.

“Nothing matters more to the future of our country. Not our military preparedness—we spend over 50 billion a year for that; armed power is worthless if we lack the brain power to build a world of peace. Not our productive economy, for we cannot sustain growth without trained manpower. Not our democratic system of government, for freedom is fragile if citizens are ignorant.”