President Ronald Reagan

Birth of Ronald Regan

Feb 6, 1911

Feb. 6, 1911
Ronald Wilson Reagan is born in Tampico, Ill., to Nelle Wilson Reagan and John Edward Reagan.

Ronald Reagan saves 77 lives in 7 summer span

Jun 21, 1926

Reagan begins work as a lifeguard at Lowell Park, near Dixon. He was credited with saving 77 lives during the seven summers he worked there.

Ronald Reagan Graduates High school

May 18, 1928

Reagan graduates from Dixon High School, where he was student body president and participated in football, basketball, track, and school plays.

Reagan hired as sportscaster

Apr 14, 1932

Reagan developed his communication skills as a sportscaster on WHO radio in Des Moines, Iowa, in the mid-1930s.

Regans film career kicks off

Oct 5, 1940

Reagan won the nickname "the Gipper" when he played Notre Dame football legend George Gipp in the 1940 film Knute Rockne, All American.

Ronald Regan married

Mar 4, 1952

Reagan and movie actress Nancy Davis wed.

Reganed elected Gov. of California

Jan 1, 1966

Reagan defeats incumbent California Gov. Edmund G. "Pat" Brown in a landslide

Regan supports nominee Richard NIxon

Period: Jan 1, 1968 to Dec 31, 1968

Reagan makes a tentative run for the presidency, waiting until the Republican National Convention in Miami to announce his candidacy. He later joins in supporting nominee Richard Nixon.

Re-Elected Governor

Jan 1, 1970

Reagan is re-elected California governor.

Reagan Elected President

Nov 4, 1980

Reagan is elected president in a landslide victory over incumbent Jimmy Carter.

Regan Sworn in as 40th President

Jan 20, 1981

Reagan is sworn in as the 40th president of the United States. On the same day, Iran releases the 52 remaining hostages who had been held at the U.S. embassy in Tehran for 444 days.

Reagan Assassination Attempt

Mar 30, 1981

Reagan is shot in the chest upon leaving a Washington hotel but makes a full recovery after surgery. Three other people, including Reagan press secretary James Brady, are wounded in the assassination attempt. John Hinckley Jr. is charged but found not guilty by reason of insanity.

Reagan defeats Mondale

Nov 4, 1984

Reagan defeats Mondale in landslide. Reagan carries 49 states -- 525 electoral votes to Mondale's 10, and 59% of the popular vote.

Reagan beings 2nd term

Jan 20, 1985

Reagan, 73, begins a second term, making him the oldest president ever to be sworn in.

Reagan Farewell Address

Jan 11, 1989

Reagan gives his farewell address to the nation, in which he says the so-called Reagan revolution "made a difference."

Regan leaves White House

Jan 20, 1989

George Bush is inaugurated. Reagan leaves the White House with the highest approval rating of any president since FDR. Reagan retires to California, travels, meets with various world leaders, and gives public speeches in support of charitable organizations, Republican candidates and causes.

Reagan diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease

Nov 5, 1994

Reagan discloses in a letter that he has Alzheimer's disease. "I now begin the journey that will lead me into the sunset of my life," he writes. "I know that for America there will always be a bright dawn ahead."

Ronald Reagan dies at 93

Jun 5, 2004

Ronald Reagan dies in California at the age of 93.