Who are the Oldest U.S. Presidents of all time?
On January 20, 2021 Joe Biden, 78 at the time, was sworn into office as the 46th President of the United States. At that age (to be precise 78 years,...
Ronald Reagan was the 40th President of the United States, serving two terms from 1981 to 1989. Before his presidency, he was the 33rd Governor of California and a film actor.
This FAQ provides a concise overview of Ronald Reagan, touching upon the most common questions surrounding his life, career, and legacy.
He was born on February 6, 1911, in Tampico, Illinois.
Reagan was a Hollywood actor and union leader before he ventured into politics. He acted in over 50 films and was the president of the Screen Actors Guild.
Reagan’s political career began in California. Initially a Democrat, he became a Republican and was elected the Governor of California in 1966. He served two terms as governor.
Reagan is best known for “Reaganomics,” his supply-side economic policies which included tax cuts and deregulation. His administration also saw a significant increase in defense spending, the ending of the Cold War, the Iran-Contra affair, and the initiation of the War on Drugs.
Reagan adopted a hard stance against the Soviet Union, labeling it the “Evil Empire.” He increased defense spending and launched the Strategic Defense Initiative. His negotiations with Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev led to the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty, contributing to the end of the Cold War.
Yes. On March 30, 1981, just 69 days into his presidency, Reagan was shot by John Hinckley Jr. outside a Washington, D.C. hotel. Reagan survived the attempt on his life and later quipped about it, showcasing his resilience and humor.
The most notable controversy was the Iran-Contra affair, where senior officials secretly facilitated the sale of arms to Iran, with the hope of funding the Contras in Nicaragua.
After leaving office in 1989, Reagan retired to his home in Los Angeles, California. In 1994, he revealed that he had been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. He passed away on June 5, 2004.
Reagan’s legacy is multifaceted. While many credit him with restoring American confidence and pride after the tumultuous 1970s, others critique his economic policies for increasing national debt and income inequality. Internationally, he is often lauded for his role in ending the Cold War.
Yes. Ronald Reagan was initially married to actress Jane Wyman from 1940 to 1949. He then married Nancy Davis in 1952, who later became the First Lady when he was elected president. The couple remained married until his death.
Ronald Reagan died on June 5, 2004, at his home in Bel Air, California, from complications related to Alzheimer’s disease. He was 93 years old.
On January 20, 2021 Joe Biden, 78 at the time, was sworn into office as the 46th President of the United States. At that age (to be precise 78 years,...
Ronald Reagan was an Illinois-born actor and Hollywood star who went on to become the 33rd Governor of California and later the 40th U.S. president. History fondly remembers him for...