Ronald Wilson Reagan, formerly an actor and politician, was the 40th President of the United States from 1981 to 1989. As the only movie actor to become president, he had a remarkable ability to communicate, earning him the title “the Great Communicator.”
Early Life
Reagan was born in Tampico, Illinois on February 6, 1911 to parents Nelle and John Reagan. He attended Eureka College where he studied economics and sociology, played football and acted in school plays.
Early Career
After graduation, Reagan became a radio sports announcer. In 1937, following a successful screen test with Warner Brothers, he began his acting career and appeared in over fifty-three films over the next two decades.
From 1947 to 1952, Reagan served as president of the Screen Actors Guild, the union that represented movie actors. He fought against communist infiltration in the Guild, crossing picket lines to break the sometimes-violent strikes. Reagan toured the country as a television host of the drama series, General Electric Theater, and began working in politics by advocating conservatism and pro-business messages.
In 1966, Reagan was elected Governor of California and served two terms. He won the Republican presidential nomination in 1980 and his running mate for Vice President was former Texas Congressman George H.W. Bush (“Bush”). Reagan won the Presidential election in a landslide of 489 electoral votes. His opponent, the incumbent President Jimmy Carter, won only 49 electoral votes.
Presidency
Reagan took office on January 20, 1981. Sixty-nine days later, he was shot during an attempted assassination. He quickly recovered. His administration was successful in their dealings with Congress, passing legislation that stimulated economic growth, curbed inflation, increased employment and strengthened the national defense.
National confidence in Reagan and Bush helped the pair win overwhelming reelection in 1984. In 1986, Reagan’s administration overhauled the income tax code, eliminated many deductions and exempted millions of low-income Americans. By the end of his time in office, the nation was enjoying its longest recorded period of peacetime and prosperity without recession or depression.
In foreign policy, Reagan increased defense spending in order to improve relations with the Soviet Union. He declared war against international terrorism. After evidence surfaced that Libya was involved in an attack on American soldiers, Reagan sent American bombers against Libya.
Reagan left office in January 1989, handing the presidency over to his favored successor, President George H.W. Bush.
Death
In 1994, in a letter to the American public, Reagan disclosed that he had been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, a degenerative brain disorder. He battled the disease until his death on June 5, 2004.
