Ronald Wilson Reagan was born on February 6, 1911, in the town of Tampico, Illinois. His father, John Reagan, worked as a shoe salesman, while his mother, Nelle Reagan, played a central role in instilling religious and moral values in the family. Reagan spent his childhood and formative years in the city of Dixon, where he attended Dixon High School, played football, and participated in theater activities.
He enrolled at Eureka College, where he studied economics and sociology. During his college years, he was a member of the football team, served as student council president, and remained active in theater. After graduating in 1932, he began his professional career as a sports broadcaster for various regional radio stations.
Acting Career and Union Activities
Following a successful screen test in 1937, Reagan moved to Hollywood and signed a contract with Warner Bros. Over the course of a nearly twenty-year acting career, he appeared in over fifty films. Notable works from this period include Kings Row and Knute Rockne, All American.
Ronald Reagan (Reagan Foundation)
In addition to his acting career, Reagan served as president of the Screen Actors Guild (SAG), where he was involved in efforts to reduce Communist influence within the film industry. During the 1950s, he hosted the General Electric Theater program and toured GE factories across the country, which helped him convey his political views to a broader audience. It was during this period that his political orientation shifted increasingly toward conservatism.
Governor of California and the Onset of Political Career
Reagan was elected Governor of California in 1966 and served two terms in office. During his governorship, he converted the state budget deficit into a surplus, mobilized law enforcement in response to protest movements, and was re-elected in 1970. His tenure also included initiatives in higher education reform, tax policy, and social services. He sought the Republican nomination for president in both 1968 and 1976 but was unsuccessful.
Presidency (1981–1989)
Reagan won the 1980 presidential election against incumbent President Jimmy Carter and assumed office as the 40th President of the United States. Early in his presidency, he survived an assassination attempt in March 1981.
In economic policy, Reagan implemented supply-side economic measures known as "Reaganomics." These policies included income tax cuts, reductions in public spending, and efforts to limit government intervention. While inflation decreased significantly during his presidency, the federal budget deficit increased markedly.
During his administration, a comprehensive tax reform act was passed in 1986. Additionally, reforms were introduced to the Social Security system, legislation was enacted to address undocumented immigration, and Medicare coverage was expanded. Reagan also appointed Sandra Day O’Connor to the Supreme Court, making her the first woman to serve on the Court.
Foreign Policy and the Cold War
In foreign affairs, Reagan adhered to the principle of "peace through strength," increasing defense spending and supporting the development of nuclear weapons systems. Under the “Reagan Doctrine,” his administration provided financial and military aid to anti-Communist groups in Central America, Africa, and Asia.
Initially, relations with the Soviet Union were tense; in 1983, Reagan labeled the USSR the “evil empire.” However, following Mikhail Gorbachev's rise to Soviet leadership, diplomatic negotiations progressed, culminating in the signing of the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty in 1987. That same year, Reagan famously declared, “Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!” during a speech at the Berlin Wall.
Ronald Reagan (Reagan Foundation)
Iran-Contra Affair and Final Years in Office
The most significant controversy of Reagan’s presidency was the Iran-Contra Affair in 1986, involving covert arms sales to Iran and the funneling of proceeds to Contra rebels in Nicaragua. While investigations found no conclusive evidence of Reagan’s direct knowledge, his administration's oversight was widely criticized.
Reagan was re-elected in 1984, achieving a historic victory by winning 49 out of 50 states. He left office in 1989, succeeded by his Vice President, George H. W. Bush.
Later Life and Death
After leaving the presidency, Reagan resided in California. In 1994, he publicly announced his diagnosis with Alzheimer’s disease. As the illness progressed, he withdrew from public life and passed away on June 5, 2004. His funeral was held as part of a national day of mourning and was attended by numerous world leaders.
