What happened in 1974 before gerald r ford became the president

-- In December 1973, the Vice President (Spiro Agnew) resigned.

For the first time under the terms of the 25th amendment, the President (Richard Nixon) APPOINTED Congressman Ford to fill the vacant office of Vice President.

-- In August 1974, the President resigned.

-- Vice President Ford filled the office of President.

So far in US history, Ford is the only person who ever served as both President AND Vice President without ever running for EITHER office, or running in ANY nationwide election.

-- In December 1974, President Ford APPOINTED Nelson Rockefeller to fill the vacant office of Vice President.

So far in US history, that's the only time when the country had both a President and Vice President who were never elected to those offices.

It was a wild time.