Ronald Reagan

Ronald Reagan, is a man well known in America. He was the 40th President of the United State. He came from a small town and took Washington over

Ronald Wilson Reagan was born in Tampico, Illinois, on February 6, 1911. As a teenage boy, in 1926, he was a lifeguard. He was credited with saving 77 lives. He graduated from Dixon High School. He was the student body President, in basketball, football, and track. He also participated in Drama. February 1935, Ronald enlisted as a private in the Army reserves. Two years later he was promoted to second lieutenant in the reserve Corps of Cavalry. He also in this year started working with Warner Brothers. 1940, Reagan married Jane Wyman. A year later he had his first-born child Maureen Reagan. 1942, was called to active duty. In early1945 he was recommended for promotion to Major. He was denied this, and it was a major let down for him. Later that year he was discharged for the army.

The 50’s were the time around his political voice started to be heard. In 1950 he supported Nixon. 1952 was a big year for Reagan. He married Nancy Davis, Had a daughter Patricia. Also he helped campaign with Eisenhower, he did this again in 1956. In 1960 he campaigned with Nixon, he was a democratic. Two years later he changed formally to republican. In 1964 "Friend of Ronald Reagan" political group was founded. 1967 Ronald was the 33rd governor of California. (20)

(Edwards, Early Reagan: The Rise to Power)

The 1970’s were mainly focused on getting ready to run for United States President. In 1980, he did do that. He beat out Jimmy Carter, by what some would called a landslide. He was inaugurated January 20, 1981. Ronald Reagan was the first president to be inaugurated at the West Front of the U.S. capital building. All others before had been held at the East front of the building. Also on the day of his Inauguration, American hostages being held by Iran were released.

Seven days later they had a White House ceremony for the hostages. Also in this year, July, Ronald Reagan nominated the first female Supreme Court Justice, Sandra Day O’Connor. This year he spent time trying to lower tax cuts.

March 30, 1981, 69 days into his Presidency. It was mid afternoon. Reagan was speaking at the Hilton Hotel in Washington D.C. He was speaking about economic policies to about 3,500 trade union members. This group for the most did not vote for him in the 1980 election. The speech when well for him. He then walked out on to T Street to answer a few questions. (5) Jim Brady, the President’s press secretary, came up beside him to help answer questions with him. Then at that time six gunshots were fired. One hit Press Secretary James Brady, Washington police officer Thomas K. Delahanty, Secret Service agent Timothy J. McCarthy jumped in front of the President and was hit, fourth hit the window of the limousine, the fifth bullet went off the door and hit the President, and then the sixth shot missed anyone. (308)

(Leamer, Make-Believe: the Story of Nancy and