Posted on 02/05/2006 6:56:29 PM PST by al baby
Ronald Reagan Fortieth President 1981-1989
Born: February 6, 1911, in Tampico, Illinois
Died: June 5, 2004 in Bel-Air, California
Married to Nancy Davis Reagan
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."
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.
The very first vote I ever cast was for Ronald Reagan for president. What a joy it was to have such a great man as the leader of this great country. Sigh.
Happy Birthday, Mr. President.
President Ronald Reagan earned our respect, our gratitude, and our love. God bless his soul. He earned his wings. :)
bump
Let's not talk about the officiating, but congratulations to the Steelers.
May God bless and keep the greatest President in my lifetime! Without a doubt, we can thank President Reagan that this nation isn't now a part of the Soviet empire.
ping!
Thanks! Prez Reagan and our now Prez Bush are the only two men that can get me out of my chair cheering. Love them both even if there were issues I disagreed with them about.
Every now and then we find that a great leader comes along
One who has greatness that we celebrate in poetry and song
He grew up in the Midwest and he had learned his lessons well
But how far he would go nobody could really tell
His accomplishments were growing but he’s not one who would boast
He learned that a man’s character is what is valued most
And he’s led his life with an honor that we can admire
Ronald Reagan we love you…and you are loved around the world
Thanks to your vision flags of freedom everywhere have been unfurled
We will all raise up our glass, here’s a salute from one and all
Long live your legacy – The Man Who Brought Down the Wall
There’s a natural right of men…that right is all men shall live free
Because freedom makes each person all the best that he can be
One president knew that much better than anyone else
Ronald Reagan we love you…and you are loved around the world
Thanks to your vision flags of freedom everywhere have been unfurled
We will all raise up our glass, here’s a salute from one and all
Long live your legacy – The Man Who Brought Down the Wall
Ronald Reagan we love you…and you are loved around the world
Thanks to your vision flags of freedom everywhere have been unfurled
We will all raise up our glass, here’s a salute from one and all
Long live your legacy – The Man Who Brought Down the Wall
You’re loved by all
God bless you, Mr. President. We miss you.
See you UP There.
God Bless Ronald Reagan!!!!!
Here's to us and those like us. Damn few left!
A simple man who actually said what he believed. A man of such intense greatness....and yet such human failures.
Who understood that you do not achieve peace....unless you are willing to go to war. Who understood that you do not give in to those who would destroy you...but you challenge them to keep up...and when those enemies are on the brink of disaster...you allow them breathing space in order for them to change.
A man who kept his eye on the prize...."..that shining city on the hill."
A man who (after the depression of the American soul that came during the Carter years)...spoke softly and plainly to us....and helped us to be proud and hopeful once again.
Happy Birthday Mr. President.
redrock
I'm sure they're sharing that cake at this very moment, maybe with a little champagne.
Good Evening Doug Thanks for the Midi
Thanks for the ping.
I just had a thought that in my lifetime, both Ronald Reagan and George W. Bush brought "hope" into the Whitehouse. They ran with a promise of an America that "could do better".
"Accent the positive" of the American Spirit seems to be a winning strategy.
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