RONALD REAGAN BY: MRS. PATTERSON

REAGAN: THE EARLY YEARS On February 6, 1911, Ronald Reagan was born in a small town called Tampico, Illinois. He was raised in a poor family, but went to college and graduated from Eureka College in 1932 where after he worked as a sports announcer. In 1937, he moved to Hollywood where he then pursed a career in acting. He was offered a 7 year contract with Warner Bros. after he did a Hollywood screen test. In Hollywood, Reagan was known as “One Shot Ronnie” because he never arrived late to sets and always had his lines memorized.

ADULT LIFE PRIOR TO THE PRESIDENCY In 1937, Reagan entered the military where he served in the US Army Air Force until the end of WWII in By the time he was discharged, he obtained the rank of Captain. He married actress Jane Wyman in 1940 which ended in divorce 9 years later. They had 3 children: Maureen, Michael and Christine who died as a baby. Regan then married Nancy Davis in 1952 for whom he was married to until he died in Together they had two children, Patti and Ron, Jr. After he was done with his military service, Reagan moved his career from film to television in the 1950’s. In the 1960’s, his political views changed and he became a member of the conservative and Republican Party. In 1964, Reagan's speech, "A Time for Choosing", in support of Barry Goldwater who was running for president, earned him national attention as a new conservative spokesman. Building a network of supporters, he was elected Governor of California in 1966.

REAGAN AS GOVERNOR OF CALIFORNIA Ronald Reagan became Governor of California in 1966 The state of California had a deficit budget when Reagan became Governor. Reagan reacted by raising taxes and turned the state budget from a deficit to that of a surplus. Reagan was re-elected for a second term as governor in 1970 where he held office until As Governor, Reagan supported getting employment to those on social services and passed the Family Law Act

REAGAN’S PRESIDENCY Ronald Regan started his presidential campaign in 1976 and won the presidency in 1980 against Jimmy Carter. He officially became the 40 th President of the United States in As President, Reagan advocated for a reduction of taxes to spur the economy as well as a control of money to offset inflation and a reduction in government spending. Reagan survived an assassination attempt against his life on March 30, 1981—only 69 days into his Presidency. The person who shot him was John Hinckley, Jr. He escalated the “War on Drugs” He was re-elected by a landslide for a second term in His second term was noted with the end of the Cold War Era, the reduction of nuclear warheads held by both the US and Russia (due to a deal he signed with Russia’s leader), the bombing of Libya and the Iran- Contra affair.

REAGAN’S LATER YEARS After leaving the presidency, Ronald and his wife, Nancy, purchased a home in Los Angeles, California as well as the “Reagan Ranch” in Santa Barbara. Reagan continued to speak publicly including at the 1992 Republican National Convention. In 1992, he established the “Ronald Reagan Freedom Award” which is an award given to "those who have made monumental and lasting contributions to the cause of freedom worldwide”. In 1994, at the age of 83, Ronald Reagan was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease. Reagan died of pneumonia, complicated by Alzheimer's disease, [ at the age of 93 in his home in Bel Air, California, on June 5, [ [