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Ronald Reagan Becomes Vice-President of the Screen Actors Guild
In September, 1946, Reagan is elected the 3rd vice-president of the fairly new American labor union, the Screen Actors Guild. He would be elected president the next year, and re-elected to five more consecutive terms. His leadership with the guild is his first tentative footsteps into political life. What Reagan Did for Hollywood - The Atlantic, Nov 14, 2011 -
Confederation of Studio Unions Strike Begins
The strike will last for thirteen months, and was riddled with violence. The leader of the union was former boxer Herb Sorrell, member of the Communist Party, and the strike was funded by the National Executive Council of the Communist Party. The violence and threats directed towards Reagan during this period was the catalyst that spawned his lifelong anticommunistic views. -
Reagan Speaks to House Un-American Activities Committee
Ronald Reagan and Walt Disney appear in Washington, D.C., to speak before the House Un-American Activities Committee, a congressional group established to investigate and uncover people engaged in subversive Communist activities and propaganda in the United States. Transcript of Testimoy -
Reagan Campaigns for Harry Truman for the Presidency
Reagan openly supports Democrat Harry Truman for president campaigning for him, making radio addresses, and writing articles supporting him. In an article in Fortnight Magazine Reagan writes, "The real fight with this totalitarianism belongs properly to the forces of liberal democracy, just as did battle with Hitler's totalitarianism. There is really no difference except the cast of characters." Ronald Reagan Radio Address for Harry Truman -
Reagan Speaks on Behalf of Crusade for Freedom
Reagan travels around the country speaking on behalf of Crusade for Freedom, an anticommunist group raising money for Radio Free
Europe. "The battleground of peace today is that strip of strategically located countries stretching from the Baltic to the Black Sea"
~ Ronald Wilson Reagan Recorded Speech for Crusade for Freedom -
Reagan Votes for Dwight D. Eisenhower
Reagan, a lifelong Democrat, votes for a Republican for the first time. An admirer of Eisenhower, Reagan had been hoping he would run for president as a Democrat. Presidential Election Results 1952 -
Reagan Visits U.S. Factories as Goodwill Ambassador for General Electric
1954-1962: As part of his contract with GE, Reagan was required to visit GE factories around the country. He travels by train, writing speeches that, years later, will be later strung together to create "The Speech", A Time for Change. "The opportunity to represent GE back in the 1950s, and the encouragement he received from the employees he met along the way, really launched Ronnie's career in public service." Nancy Reagan, 2010 -
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Reagan Visits U.S. Factories as Goodwill Ambassador for General Electric
As part of his contract with GE, Reagan was required to visit GE factories around the country. He travels by train, writing speeches that, years later, will be later strung together to create "The Speech", A Time for Change. "The opportunity to represent GE back in the 1950s, and the encouragement he received from the employees he met along the way, really launched Ronnie's career in public service." Nancy Reagan, 2010 -
Ronald Reagan Officially Switches Party Affiliaiton
Ronald Reagan makes his political transformation official by changing his voter registration affiliation to Republican. Reagan's evolution to the Republican party took 17 years -
"A Time for Choosing"
Reagan's prerecorded speech in support of Republican presidential candidate Barry Goldwater airs on televisions across the country. His words, carefully crafted from his years of political views, was a inspirational success that would come to be know as "The Speech", sparked a wave of support and donation for the campaign. Reagan later recalled this as "one of the most important speech of my life." Rendezvous with Destiny -
Reagan Announces His California Gubernatorial Candacy
Reagan spent the three months prior to announcing traveling throughout the state with Nancy, gauging his support among the people of California. Former president Dwight Eisenhower endorsed Reagan early, giving his campaign a jumpstart. Reagan Announces He is Running for Governor National Constitution Center Article 6/7/13 -
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Ronald Reagan Serves Two Terms as Governor of California
In an attempt to balance California's budget, Reagan froze government hiring and approved tax hikes - an unpopular move. He also cut spending and the number of people on welfare. When the combination of his measures resulted in budget surplus, Reagan distributed the excess to the people in the form of tax rebates. Reagan also survived a recall attempt lead by the labor unions. -
People's Park Riots in Berkeley
Alameda County Sheriff's deputies and University Police attempted to break up protestors, firing teargas and buckshot at students One student, James Rictor, was killed after allegedly throwing steel rebar at officers. Gov. Reagan declared a state of emergency and sent the National Guard to restore and maintain order. The troops remained for two weeks. Protesters taunted the troops and violence broke out from both sides. People's Park Riots -
First Assassination Attempt
Secret Service agents tackle and subdue Michael Lance Carvin after he points a gun at Reagan during a campaign stop in Miami, FL. The gun turned out to be a toy, and Carvin was arrested -
Reagan Announces His Presidential Candacy
After failing to gain the nomination in 1976, Ronald Reagan announces he is running for the Republican nomination to challenge President Jimmy Carter in the 1980 election cycle. Televised Announcement -
Wall Street Journal Declares Reagan Campaign "Out Of Steam"
An article written by staff reporters Albert R. Hunt and James M. Perry declares that "Reagan's momentum is slowing in states he needs for election." -
Final Debate Between Reagan and Carter
"I think when you make that decision, it might be well if you would ask yourself, are you better off than you were four years ago?" ~ Ronald Wilson Reagan Full Debate Transcript -
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Ronald Reagan - 40th President of the United States
Ronald Reagan served two terms in office. His presidency is seen as a model for Republicans to aspire to today. -
Walter Cronkite Interviews Reagan on Foreign Policy
Cronkite questions Reagan about his firm foreign policy positions, his firm opposition to Communists, and his hard-line stance with Soviet leader Leonid Brezhnev. Reagan knows that Brezhnev will see this interview, and his words are carefully chosen to project strength the the Russian. Excerpts from Interview -
Reagan Shot in Second Assassination Attempt
John Hinkley, Jr., a man with a history of mental illness and an obsession with Jodie Foster and the movie Taxi Driver, fires six shots at Reagan when he exited the Hilton Hotel in Washington DC, where he had just given a speech. Reagan was seriously wounded and taken to George Washington University Hospital where he remained for DC police officer Tom Delahanty, Secret Service agent Tim McCarthy, and Press Secretary James Brady were also shot. News Footage -
Reagan Questioned About Recession
During Reagan's first term the country struggled to recover from the recession of the Carter years. In a press conference, Sam Donaldson asked Reagan if he held any responsibility for the recessions. Reagan famously quipped, "Yes, because for many years I was a Democrat." Press Conference -
Reagan and Gorbachev Hold First Summit Meeting
Reagan and Gorbachev meet in Geneva for three days to discuss U.S. and Soviet relations, including cultural and scientific exchanges and environmental issues. Although little was accomplished, it laid the groundwork for future summit meetings. Reagan's Congressional Speech on the Geneva Convention -
Second Reagan-Gorbachev Summit Meeting in Reykjavik
The leaders of the world's superpowers met for a second summit meeting in Reykjavik.However, talks fell apart quickly, largely due to Reagan's refusal to consider giving up the shield missile defense system known as Star Wars. Reagan accused Gorbachev of negotiation in bad faith while Gorbachev accused Reagan of not wanting any serious negotiations regarding arms limitation. AP Footage -
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Third Reagan-Gorbachev Summit Meeting in Washington, D.C.
This meeting is hailed as a resounding success, resulting in one of the most significant arms control agreements of the Cold War. The Intermediate-Range Nuclear Force Treaty (INF) was signed by both leaders, and by 1991 had resulted in the elimination of over 800 United States missiles and 1,800 Soviets weapons. It was the first treaty that eliminated existing weapons rather than just limiting future ones. Treaty Signing -
Ronald Reagan Presidential Library Opens
“The doors of this library are open now and all are welcome. The judgment of history is left to you, the people…” Ronald Reagan The Reagan Library opens with a ceremony attended by all five living former presidents - Bush, Reagan, Ford, Carter, and Nixon. Video of complete opening ceremonies (very long)
