Photograph of President Gerald R. Ford and His Son Jack Ford Meeting with Former Beatle George Harrison, Harry Harrison, Billy Preston, Tommy Scott, and Ravi Shankar in the Oval Office

Gerald Rudolph Ford Jr. (July 14, 1913 – December 26, 2006) served as the 38th President of the United States from 1974 to 1977. He is the only person to have served as both Vice President and President of the United States without being elected to either office. As he was appointed to fill a vacancy and then succeeded to the presidency, Ford also earned the distinction of being the only person in American history to neither begin nor finish either a presidential or vice presidential term on the date of a regularly-scheduled inauguration. Before vice-presidency, Ford served 25 years as Representative from Michigan's 5th congressional district, the final 9 of them as the House Minority Leader. Ford's reputation for integrity and openness had made him popular during his 25 years in Congress. When Gerald R. Ford took the oath of office on August 9, 1974, he declared, "I assume the Presidency under extraordinary circumstances.... This is an hour of history that troubles our minds and hurts our hearts." As President, Ford signed the Helsinki Accords, marking a move toward détente in the Cold War. With the conquest of South Vietnam by North Vietnam nine months into his presidency, U.S. involvement in Vietnam essentially ended. Ford acted vigorously to maintain U. S. power and prestige after the collapse of Cambodia and South Vietnam. Domestically, Ford presided over the worst economy in the four decades since the Great Depression, with growing inflation and a recession during his tenure. He granted a presidential pardon to President Richard Nixon for his role in the Watergate scandal. In the GOP presidential primary campaign of 1976, Ford defeated then-former California Governor Ronald Reagan for the Republican nomination. He narrowly lost the presidential election to the Democratic challenger, then-former Georgia Governor Jimmy Carter, on November 2. Following his years as President, Ford remained active in the Republican Party. He died on December 26, 2006 and lived longer than any other U.S. president, 93 years and 165 days. "My fellow Americans, our long national nightmare is over. Our constitution works."

The Beatles' early history is closely tied to the burgeoning rock and roll scene in Liverpool and Hamburg, Germany, where they played in clubs and bars in the late 1950s and early 1960s. They gained a local following in Liverpool and were eventually signed to a record contract by EMI in 1962. The Beatles' early years were marked by constant touring and recording, and they became known for their energetic live performances and their ability to connect with their audience. They released a series of hit singles and albums in the 1960s, including "Please Please Me," "With the Beatles," and "A Hard Day's Night," which helped to establish them as one of the most popular and influential bands of the era. Brian Epstein was the manager of the Beatles and played a crucial role in the group's rise to fame. He was born in Liverpool, England in 1934 and grew up in a middle-class family. Epstein worked in the family's record store, and it was there that he first became interested in the music business. In 1961, Epstein saw the Beatles perform at the Cavern Club in Liverpool and was immediately struck by their talent and potential. He approached the group about becoming their manager and convinced them to sign with him. Under Epstein's guidance, the Beatles became one of the most successful and influential bands in the world. The band's first single, "Love Me Do," was released in October 1962 and became a hit in the United Kingdom. They followed this success with a string of hit singles and albums, including "Please Please Me," "With the Beatles," and "A Hard Day's Night," which helped to establish them as one of the most popular and influential bands of the era. The Beatles' early years were marked by constant touring and recording, and they became known for their energetic live performances and their ability to connect with their audience. Their popularity continued to grow throughout the 1960s, and they became one of the most successful and influential bands in the history of popular music. Epstein died on August 27, 1967, at the age of 32. His death was widely reported in the media and was a significant event in the history of popular music. The official cause of death was listed as an overdose of Carbitral, a prescription sedative, but there have been persistent rumors and speculation about the circumstances of Epstein's death. The Beatles' later years were marked by significant changes and challenges for the band. In the mid-1960s, the band's popularity reached new heights, and they became one of the most successful and influential bands in the world. However, as the decade came to a close, tensions within the group began to rise, and the band's dynamic began to shift. In 1968, the Beatles released the album "The White Album," which was a departure from their earlier, more cohesive sound. The album was a double album that featured a wide range of styles and influences, and it received critical acclaim upon its release. However, the album was also marked by tension within the band, and the recording sessions were marked by infighting and creative differences. In 1969, the Beatles released their final album, "Abbey Road," which was a return to a more cohesive sound. The album was a commercial and critical success, and it included some of the band's most iconic songs, such as "Come Together" and "Something." After the release of "Abbey Road," the Beatles effectively disbanded. The band members went their separate ways and pursued solo careers, although they remained on good terms and occasionally worked together.