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Reagan inaugurated
Reagan is inaugurated as the fortieth President of the United States. -
Reagan shot in chest
Reagan is shot in the chest by John Warnock Hinckley Jr. -
Soviet grain embargo lifted
Reagan lifts a grain embargo imposed on the Soviet Union by President Carter. -
Reagan delivers State of the Union
Reagan calls for “New Federalism” in his State of the Union address, advocating less federal spending and more state initiative to solve social and economic problems. -
Tax Equity & Fiscal Responsibility Act
Reagan signs the Tax Equity & Fiscal Responsibility Act (TEFRA). -
Strategic Defense Initiative
Reagan urges development of the Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI), an attempt to create a high-technology anti-ballistic missile shield to protect the United States from nuclear attack. -
Reagan renominated
The Republican Party re-nominates Reagan and Bush for 1984 presidential election. -
Reagan reelected
Reagan is reelected President, defeating Democratic candidate Walter Mondale. -
Bush acting president
Reagan has a malignant polyp removed from his colon; Vice President Bush serves as acting President for eight hours. -
Chief Justice Warren Burger retires
Supreme Court Chief Justice Warren Burger announces his retirement; Regan elevates Justice William Rehnquist to the position of chief justice and nominates Anthony Scalia as an associate justice. -
U.S. illegally sells arms to Iran
Reagan informs Congress that the United States secretly sold arms to Iran in violation of federal laws prohibiting arms deals with Iran. The administration denies that the sales were part of an attempt to secure the release of American hostages held by Iranian-backed forces. -
Reagan takes responsibility
In televised address, Reagan accepts responsibility for actions in Iran-Contra affair that he claims occurred without his knowledge. -
Reagan prohibits abortion assistance
Reagan prohibits federally funded family-planning centers from providing assistance to women seeking abortions. -
Republicans nominate Bush, Quayle
The Republican Party nominates George H.W. Bush and Dan Quayle for President and vice president. -
Reagan says farewell
Reagan delivers his farewell address.