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At the end of his two terms in office, Ronald Reagan viewed with
satisfaction the achievements of his innovative program known as the Reagan
Revolution, which aimed to reinvigorate the American people and reduce their
reliance upon Government. He felt he had fulfilled his campaign pledge of
1980 to restore "the great, confident roar of American progress and growth
and optimism.
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On February 6, 1911, Ronald Wilson Reagan was born to Nelle and John Reagan
in Tampico, Illinois. He attended high school in nearby Dixon and then
worked his way through Eureka College. There, he studied economics and
sociology, played on the football team, and acted in school plays. Upon
graduation, he became a radio sports announcer. A screen test in 1937 won
him a contract in Hollywood. During the next two decades he appeared in 53
films.
From his first marriage to actress Jane Wyman, he had two children, Maureen
and Michael. Maureen passed away in 2001. In 1952 he married Nancy Davis,
who was also an actress, and they had two children, Patricia Ann and Ronald
Prescott.
As president of the Screen Actors Guild, Reagan became embroiled in disputes
over the issue of Communism in the film industry; his political views
shifted from liberal to conservative. He toured the country as a television
host, becoming a spokesman for conservatism. In 1966 he was elected Governor
of California by a margin of a million votes; he was re-elected in 1970.
Ronald Reagan won the Republican Presidential nomination in 1980 and chose
as his running mate former Texas Congressman and United Nations Ambassador
George Bush. Voters troubled by inflation and by the year-long confinement
of Americans in Iran swept the Republican ticket into office. Reagan won 489
electoral votes to 49 for President Jimmy Carter.
On January 20, 1981, Reagan took office. Only 69 days later he was shot by a
would-be assassin, but quickly recovered and returned to duty. His grace and
wit during the dangerous incident caused his popularity to soar.
Dealing skillfully with Congress, Reagan obtained legislation to stimulate
economic growth, curb inflation, increase employment, and strengthen
national defense. He embarked upon a course of cutting taxes and Government
expenditures, refusing to deviate from it when the strengthening of defense
forces led to a large deficit.
A renewal of national self-confidence by 1984 helped Reagan and Bush win a
second term with an unprecedented number of electoral votes. Their victory
turned away Democratic challengers Walter F. Mondale and Geraldine Ferraro.
In 1986 Reagan obtained an overhaul of the income tax code, which eliminated
many deductions and exempted millions of people with low incomes. At the end
of his administration, the Nation was enjoying its longest recorded period
of peacetime prosperity without recession or depression.
In foreign policy, Reagan sought to achieve "peace through strength." During
his two terms he increased defense spending 35 percent, but sought to
improve relations with the Soviet Union. In dramatic meetings with Soviet
leader Mikhail Gorbachev, he negotiated a treaty that would eliminate
intermediate-range nuclear missiles. Reagan declared war against
international terrorism, sending American bombers against Libya after
evidence came out that Libya was involved in an attack on American soldiers
in a West Berlin nightclub.
By ordering naval escorts in the Persian Gulf, he maintained the free flow
of oil during the Iran-Iraq war. In keeping with the Reagan Doctrine, he
gave support to anti-Communist insurgencies in Central America, Asia, and
Africa.
Overall, the Reagan years saw a restoration of prosperity, and the goal of
peace through strength seemed to be within grasp.
Profile:
Term of office January 20, 1981 – January 20, 1989
Preceded by Jimmy Carter
Succeeded by George H. W. Bush
Date of birth February 6, 1911
Place of birth Tampico, Illinois
Date of death June 5, 2004
Place of death Bel-Air, California
Spouse Nancy Reagan
Political party Republican |
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RONALD REAGAN PICTURES |
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