Why vice presidential picks matter: Significant moments in history

Of the 49 vice presidents in U.S. history, nine of them—or nearly one in 5—have risen to the presidency due to death or resignation.

The first was John Tyler, who became president after William Henry Harrison died one month into his term. The most recent was Gerald Ford, who took office upon Richard Nixon's resignation.

In 2024, the spotlight is growing on the two parties’ vice-presidential picks—Vice President Kamala Harris, a Democrat, and Republican Sen. J.D. Vance of Ohio—due to the advanced ages of the two presidential candidates as well as an assassination attempt on GOP nominee Donald Trump on July 13. The vice presidents who ascended to the top job have been behind some significant moments in U.S. history, including Reconstruction, the dropping of atomic bombs to end World War II, and the signing of the Civil Rights Act.

“For most vice presidents, succession is something that you have to think about and plan for, but it doesn't happen,” said Joel Goldstein, a historian and expert on the vice presidency. “But when it happens, you've got to be ready.”