Gerald Ford served as the 38th President of the United States from 1974 to 1976 after being appointed vice president following Spiro Agnew's resignation and becoming president upon Richard Nixon's resignation. As an unelected president, Ford faced challenges including continuing US involvement in Vietnam, dealing with the OPEC oil crisis, and preparing for the US bicentennial celebrations. He lost his bid for re-election in 1976 to Jimmy Carter.