Ronald Reagan

Born in 1911 in Tampico, Illinois, Ronald Wilson Reagan worked as a radio announcer and Hollywood actor before becoming president of the Screen Actors Guild and shifting from New Deal Democrat to conservative Republican. Elected governor of California in 1966, he challenged campus unrest and expanded state government while building a national political base.

Reagan won the presidency in 1980 amid economic stagnation and the Iran hostage crisis, promising to restore American strength. His first term brought tax cuts, deregulation, and a defense spending surge; the 1981 assassination attempt barely slowed his agenda. In foreign policy he labeled the Soviet Union an 'evil empire' yet opened serious arms-reduction talks with Gorbachev after 1985.

The Reagan era saw the 1986 tax reform, appointment of conservative judges, and the Iran-Contra scandal, which damaged his second term but did not lead to removal from office. After leaving Washington, Reagan's 1994 Alzheimer's announcement prompted national reflection on a presidency that reshaped American conservatism and global anti-communist strategy.

1911 — Born in Tampico, Illinois. Raised in small Midwestern towns before attending Eureka College and pursuing radio and film careers.

1966 — Elected California Governor. Defeated incumbent Pat Brown, positioning himself as a national spokesman for conservative governance.

1981 — Inaugurated as 40th President. Took office promising morning in America; survived assassination attempt in March of the same year.

1987 — Signs INF Treaty. Joined Gorbachev in Washington to eliminate intermediate-range nuclear forces, a landmark Cold War agreement.

2004 — Death at 93. State funeral in Washington honored a president whose communication skills and ideological clarity reshaped American politics.

1. 1911

   Born in Tampico, Illinois

   Raised in small Midwestern towns before attending Eureka College and pursuing radio and film careers.

2. 1966

   Elected California Governor

   Defeated incumbent Pat Brown, positioning himself as a national spokesman for conservative governance.

3. 1981

   Inaugurated as 40th President

   Took office promising morning in America; survived assassination attempt in March of the same year.

4. 1987

   Signs INF Treaty

   Joined Gorbachev in Washington to eliminate intermediate-range nuclear forces, a landmark Cold War agreement.

5. 2004

   Death at 93

   State funeral in Washington honored a president whose communication skills and ideological clarity reshaped American politics.

Reagan's presidency accelerated the shift toward free-market economics in the West and strengthened anti-Soviet pressure during the Cold War's final chapter. His rhetorical style and policy mix influenced leaders from Margaret Thatcher to later generations of conservatives, while debates over inequality and military spending trace directly to choices made in the 1980s.

Reagan's presidency accelerated the shift toward free-market economics in the West and strengthened anti-Soviet pressure during the Cold War's final chapter. His rhetorical style and policy mix influenced leaders from Margaret Thatcher to later generations of conservatives, while debates over inequality and military spending trace directly to choices made in the 1980s. Death at 93 (2004) remains a defining moment in Ronald Reagan's enduring reputation.