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Birth
Ronald Wilson Reagan was born in an apartment on the second floor of a commercial building in Tampico, Illinois on February 6, 1911, to Jack Reagan and Nelle (Wilson) Reagan. Reagan's father was a salesman and a storyteller, the grandson of Irish Catholic immigrants from County Tipperary, while his mother had Scots and English ancestors. Reagan had one older brother, Neil (1908–96), who became an advertising executive. As a boy, Reagan's father nicknamed his son "Dutch". -
Home Town
After a series of moves in rural northern Illinois, the Reagans settle in Dixon, Ill., which Reagan considered his hometown. -
First Job
Reagan begins work as a lifeguard at Lowell Park, near Dixon. He was credited with saving 77 lives during the seven summers he worked there. -
Politics career lauch
Reagan gives a television address supporting Republican presidential candidate Barry Goldwater. The speech, called "A Time for Choosing," launches Reagan's political career. -
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College
Reagan attends Eureka (Illinois) College, where he majored in economics and sociology. During his sophomore year, Reagan becomes interested in drama. Reagan also serves as student body president. -
Graduation
Reagan graduates from Dixon High School, where he was student body president and participated in football, basketball, track, and school plays. -
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Acting Career
Reagan makes over 500 training films while in the army. During his career he is in 53 motion pictures and 1 television movie. He is also married tiwice during this time and has 1 child and adopts another -
Screen Actors Guild
Elected president of the Screen Actors Guild for the first of five consecutive terms, Reagan testifies as a friendly witness before the House Committee on Un-American Activities. The hearings result in the blacklising of many writers and directors thought to have ties to the Communist Party. -
Reagan Campaigns
Reagan campaigns for California Democrat Helen Gahagan Douglas in her bid for the U.S. Senate against Richard Nixon. This is a trend for the next 10 years campaigning and supporting numerouse candidates. -
Host of General Electric Theater
Reagan is hired to host the General Electric Theater on television, a job he holds for eight years. Reagan tours the country giving speeches as a GE spokesman. -
Party Change
Reagan officially changes his party registration to Republican. -
Governer
Reagan defeats incumbent California Gov. Edmund G. "Pat" Brown in a landslide. -
Presidintial Campaign
Reagan announces his candidacy for the Republican nomination for president. Although he loses to Gerald Ford, he sets up base for next election. -
President
Reagan announces his candidacy for president. After winning the party's nomination, he chooses George Bush as his running mate. The platform calls for "a new consensus with all those across the land who share a community of values embodied in these words: family, work, neighborhood, peace, and freedom." -
Assaination
Reagan is shot in the chest upon leaving a Washington hotel but makes a full recovery after surgery. Three other people, including Reagan press secretary James Brady, are wounded in the assassination attempt. John Hinckley Jr. is charged but found not guilty by reason of insanity. -
1981
Reagan appoints Sandra Day O'Connor as the first female justice on the U.S. Supreme Court. -
1981
Reagan appears before Congress for the first time since the assassination attempt. He receives a hero's welcome and overwhelming support for his economic package, which includes cuts in social programs and taxes, and increases in defense spending.
Congress passes Reagan's tax bill. Instead of a 30% tax cut over three years, Reagan accepts 25%. -
Strike
Air traffic controllers go on strike. Reagan gives them 48 hours to get back to work, and fires those who refuse. -
Reelection
Reagan defeats Mondale in landslide. Reagan carries 49 states -- 525 electoral votes to Mondale's 10, and 59% of the popular vote. -
1985-1986
Reagan gets several surgereys to treat his colon cancer. Is also the oldest president to be elected at 73 years old. -
Famous Speach
In a speech at Berlin's Brandenberg Gate, Reagan demands Gorbachev "tear down this wall." This is one of Reagan's most famous speechs althought the Berlin wall isn't torn down til after his presidency. -
Presidential term over
George Bush is inaugurated. Reagan leaves the White House with the highest approval rating of any president since FDR. Reagan retires to California, travels, meets with various world leaders, and gives public speeches in support of charitable organizations, Republican candidates and causes. -
Death
Ronald Reagan dies in California at the age of 93.
