The 25th Amendment to the United States Constitution is ratified.
The 25th Amendment to the United States Constitution, ratified on February 10, 1967, clarifies the procedures for presidential succession, vice presidential vacancies, and presidential incapacity. It was introduced in response to concerns about leadership continuity, particularly after the assassination of President John F. Kennedy in 1963. The amendment consists of four sections: (1) The Vice President becomes President if the President dies, resigns, or is removed; (2) If the Vice Presidency becomes vacant, the President nominates a new Vice President, subject to Congressional approval; (3) The President can voluntarily transfer power to the Vice President by submitting a written declaration of incapacity; and (4) The Vice President and a majority of the Cabinet (or another designated body) can declare the President unable to discharge duties, subject to Congressional oversight. This amendment has been invoked multiple times, particularly for temporary power transfers during presidential medical procedures, and was notably discussed during the Watergate scandal and after the January 6, 2021, Capitol attack.