It was announced during the inauguration. I was in the crowd at the capitol. I don't remember whether or not it was actually announced, or whether word swept through the crowd. I couldn't stand Reagan at the time and had voted for Carter (I know, I know), but immediately saw the effects of having this marvelous man as president. I became a Republican during his adminitration and my family has believed I fell over the edge ever since. Anyway, the atmostphere at the inauguration was electric. You could just feel the difference in the crowd!