National Veep Day
August 9
About National Veep Day
National Veep Day takes place every year on 9 August. It marks the day in 1974 when Vice President Gerald Ford was sworn in as President of the United States following the resignation of Richard Nixon, and it draws attention to the office of the Vice President and the constitutional rules that keep the American presidency continuous. It is an unofficial observance celebrated mainly in the United States.
The Story Behind National Veep Day
The date at the heart of National Veep Day is one of the most dramatic in modern American political history. On 9 August 1974, Richard Nixon became the only President of the United States ever to resign from office. Facing near-certain impeachment over the Watergate scandal, Nixon announced his departure in a televised address the evening before, and his resignation took effect at noon the following day. Within hours, Vice President Gerald Ford stood in the East Room of the White House and took the oath of office as the 38th President.
What made the moment so unusual was Ford himself. He had not been elected to either of the two highest offices in the land. Less than a year earlier, in October 1973, Nixon’s first Vice President, Spiro Agnew, had resigned after pleading no contest to a charge of tax evasion, having faced investigation over allegations of bribery and corruption dating from his time in Maryland politics. Under the 25th Amendment, Nixon nominated Ford, then the Republican leader in the House of Representatives, to fill the vacancy. Ford was confirmed by both chambers of Congress and sworn in as Vice President in December 1973. When Nixon then resigned, Ford rose again, this time to the presidency, becoming the only person to hold the office without having appeared on a national ballot for either role.
In his brief inaugural remarks, Ford spoke directly to a country exhausted by scandal, declaring that “our long national nightmare is over” and that the constitutional system had “worked.” A month later, in September 1974, he issued a full and unconditional pardon to Nixon for any offences he may have committed in office, a decision Ford defended as a way to allow the nation to move on, though it remained controversial for the rest of his career. National Veep Day grew up around this sequence of events as a way to remember not only Ford’s unique path but the wider principle it demonstrated: that the United States can transfer its highest office peacefully, lawfully, and without a single shot being fired, even in the middle of a constitutional crisis.
When and Where is National Veep Day Celebrated?
National Veep Day falls on Sunday, 9 August 2026. It is a fixed-date observance, marked on the same day every year to coincide with the anniversary of Ford’s succession in 1974. The day is observed chiefly in the United States, where it appeals to history enthusiasts, teachers, political commentators, and anyone interested in the workings of the federal government. It is not a public holiday, so government offices, schools, and businesses remain open as normal.
Traditions and Customs
National Veep Day is a low-key, informal observance with no central organising body, but several customs have grown up around it.
- Revisiting the events of 1974 – Many people use the day to read about, watch, or discuss the Watergate scandal, Nixon’s resignation, and Ford’s swearing-in, often through documentaries, archive footage, and news retrospectives.
- Celebrating the vice presidency – The day is an occasion to remember the often-overlooked second office of the executive branch and the people who have held it, from John Adams to the present.
- Classroom and civics activities – Where it falls during term time, educators have used it as a hook for lessons on presidential succession, the 25th Amendment, and the separation of powers.
- Quoting the “veep” – Fans of political history enjoy revisiting the origin of the nickname itself, popularised by Alben Barkley, Harry Truman’s Vice President.
- Sharing online – Social media users post facts, anniversaries, and trivia about vice presidents who went on to become president, of whom there have been several across American history.
Ways to Celebrate National Veep Day
There are plenty of ways to mark the occasion, whether you are a serious student of government or simply enjoy a good piece of history.
- Watch a Watergate documentary – The story of Nixon’s downfall is well covered in film and television, and the events of August 1974 make for compelling viewing.
- Read up on Gerald Ford – Explore the life of the only president never elected to national office, from his years in Congress to his short but consequential time in the White House.
- Brush up on the 25th Amendment – Ratified in 1967, this amendment set out the rules that allowed both Ford’s vice-presidential appointment and his rise to the presidency. It rewards a closer look.
- Test your knowledge of the vice presidents – Challenge friends or family to name as many Vice Presidents as they can, or which ones later became President.
- Visit a presidential library or museum – The Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum in Grand Rapids, Michigan, is dedicated to his life and presidency.
- Discuss the role today – Talk about how the office of Vice President has changed, from a largely ceremonial post to a senior governing partner in the modern White House.
Facts and Figures
- Richard Nixon remains the only US President to have resigned from office, doing so on 9 August 1974.
- Gerald Ford is the only person to serve as both Vice President and President without being elected to either office.
- Ford was appointed Vice President under the 25th Amendment after Spiro Agnew resigned in October 1973.
- The office of Vice President was created by the United States Constitution, which was ratified in 1788.
- The nickname “veep” was popularised in the late 1940s by Vice President Alben Barkley, drawn from the initials V.P.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is National Veep Day?
National Veep Day is an unofficial American observance held on 9 August. It commemorates the day in 1974 when Vice President Gerald Ford succeeded Richard Nixon as President, and it celebrates the office of the Vice President and the constitutional rules of presidential succession.
When is National Veep Day in 2026?
National Veep Day falls on Sunday, 9 August 2026. It is observed on the same date every year.
Why is Gerald Ford so closely linked to the day?
Ford is the only person to have become both Vice President and President without being elected to either role. He was appointed Vice President in 1973 after Spiro Agnew resigned, then became President in 1974 when Nixon resigned, making his story the defining example of the succession process the day highlights.
Spread the Word
Share National Veep Day with your community using #NationalVeepDay and #VeepDay2026. Whether you mark the occasion with a documentary, a history quiz, or a visit to a presidential museum, every bit of awareness helps keep this slice of constitutional history in the public memory.
Related Awareness Days
- Constitution Day – Celebrates the signing of the US Constitution, the document that created the office of Vice President and the rules of succession.
- Presidents’ Day – Honours the men who have held the highest office in the United States, including those who rose from the vice presidency.
- National Voter Registration Day – Encourages participation in the democratic process that ultimately fills these offices.
Links
- Read more about National Veep Day at National Day Calendar
- Explore more awareness days at AwarenessDays.com
Featured image: Photo by René DeAnda on Unsplash.
2026 Awareness Days Wall Planner
Every key awareness day at a glance. Perfect for offices, staff rooms, and team planning.
View Calendar →
