-
Fifty-Two Hostages Held in Iran Released
A group of Iranian students storm the Tehran U.S. Embassy and take over 60 Americans hostage. This was in response to the United States continued interference in affairs. The hostages were let go 444 days after they were captured and it was only hours after Ronald Reagan's presidential speech. -
Reagan Inaugurated
Ronald Reagan was inaugurated into the presidency on January 20, 1981. Reagan beat Jimmy Carter by 440 electoral votes in the 1980 presidential election. -
Spending Speech (Increase defense, lower taxes)
Ronald Reagan called for tax cuts and a decrease in federal spending in his over 4,000 word speech. -
Reagan Shot
John Hinckley Jr. fired shots at president Reagan while he was walking to his limousine. The secret service got Reagan in the car and Jr. McCarthy stepped in front of Reagan as he was being shot as and was shot in the chest. -
Soviet Grain Embargo Lifted
The Soviet Grain Embargo was enacted by Jimmy Carter in January of 1980 and was in response to the Soviets invading Afghanistan -
Reagan and air-traffic controllers strike
There was a strike in the FAA union in response to PATCO refusing to give better pay and working conditions. Ronald Reagan gave a speech saying he would not support a strike against the government because he is apart of the government. All of the workers that did not return to work were fired and it took three years for the union to recover. -
Sandra Day O’Connor nominated to Supreme Court
On this day the first female Supreme Court Justice was nominated. It was a promise that Ronald Reagan had made to the people. -
Military buildup (B-1 Bomber and MX missiles)
Ronald Reagan proposed a $180.3 billion program to upgrade military nuclear forces. The MX missiles would replace the titan missile silos. Reagan also proposed a new bomber that would be able to be undetected by radar. -
Sanctions on Poland
Reagan took economic action on Poland after they imposed martial law. Reagan threatened Poland and anyone who helps them with more serious actions. -
Reagan delivers his first State of the Union
He gave his first state of the Union speech at 9 p.m. in the House of Chamber at the Capitol. He spoke about their work on women's rights, him meeting with foreign leaders and discussing economics, helping the poor and the elderly, and budget plans
