Ronald Reagan
Best known as: 40th president of the USA
Occupation: Politician, actor
Nicknames: the Gipper
Nationality: American
Religion: Presbyterian
Political party: Republican
Born: February 6, 1911 in Tampico, Illinois
Died: June 5, 2004 in Los Angeles, California
Education: Eureka College
Military service: Captain, U.S. Army Air Corps (1942-1945)
Offices held:
- President of the Screen Actors Guild (1947-1952 and 1959-1960)
- Governor of California (1967-1975)
- President of the U.S. (1981-1989)
Short biography: Ronald Reagan began his political career as a Democrat and a supporter of FDR's New Deal. As his party became more liberal and socialist, however, he switched political affiliations, becoming a Republican in 1962. After becoming governor of California and supporting the campaigns of fellow conservatives, such as Barry Goldwater, Reagan ran for president in 1976, but was defeated early on by Richard Nixon, whom he came to support. In 1980 Reagan won the office of president, defeating incumbent Jimmy Carter. During his eight years in office, Reagan established a solidly conservative record and created an era of hope and patriotism for many Americans. His accomplishments included halting high inflation, cutting taxes, cracking down on drugs, reforming social security, and reducing immigration. Additionally, although he began his presidency by increasing America's nuclear weapons and military spending, Reagan eventually brought an end to the Cold War by befriending the new leader of the U.S.S.R;, reformer Mikhail Gorbachev.
Wife: Nancy Davis
Friends: Barry Goldwater, Dwight Eisenhower, Richard Nixon, Mikhail Gorbachev
Vice president: George H. W. Bush
Parents: John Reagan and Nelle Wilson
Fun facts:
- Reagan portrayed George Armstrong Custer in the 1940 movie Santa Fe Trail
- As president of the Screen Actors Guild, Reagan testified before the House Un-American Activities Committee about suspected communist ifluence over the motion picture industry. He also met privately with FBI agents and named entertainers he believed were communists.
- Reagan was a strong supporter of Barry Goldwater during the 1964 presidential campaign.
- At 69 years of age, Reagan was the oldest man to be elected president.
- Reagan was the first president to wear contact lenses.
- He was the first actor to become president.
- Reagan was the first member of a trade union (the Screen Actors Guild) to become president.
- Reagan was the first divorced president.
- He was 6 feet 1 inch tall
- He loved jelly beans so much that Jelly Belly introduced the blueberry flavor in his honor. Additionally, a portrait of him made of jelly beans hangs in his presidential library.
- Reagan was Time's Person of the Year in 1980 and 1983.
- Reagan's secret service code name was Rawhide.
More about Reagan:
