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Credited with saving 77 lives.
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1928-1932
Reagan attends Eureka (Illinois) College, where he majored in economics and sociology. During his sophomore year, Reagan becomes interested in drama. Reagan also serves as student body president. -
Reagan graduates from Dixon High School, where he was student body president and participated in football, basketball, track, and school plays.
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1940
Reagan plays Notre Dame football legend George Gipp in his most acclaimed film, Knute Rockne, All American, The role earns Reagan the nickname "the Gipper." -
Jan. 24, 1940
Reagan marries actress Jane Wyman, whom he met while making the movie Brother Rat. -
Jan. 4, 1941
Daughter Maureen is born. -
1942
Reagan is called to active duty by the Army Air Force. He is assigned to the 1st Motion Picture Unit in Culver City, Calif., where he makes over 400 training films. -
1945
After the war, Reagan resumes his acting career, which continues for 20 years. Reagan makes 53 motion pictures and one television movie during his career. -
March 1945
The Reagans adopt Michael. -
1949
Reagan and Wyman divorce. -
March 4, 1952
Reagan and movie actress Nancy Davis wed. -
May 20, 1958
Son Ronald Prescott (Ron) is born. -
1962
Reagan officially changes his party registration to Republican. -
1966
Reagan defeats incumbent California Gov. Edmund G. "Pat" Brown in a landslide. -
Nov. 20, 1975
Reagan announces his candidacy for the Republican nomination for president. -
1976
He loses the Republican Party's nomination to Gerald Ford, but a strong showing sets the stage for Reagan's election in 1980. In the meantime, Reagan works on his ranch, gives speeches, does radio commentaries and writes a weekly newspaper column. -
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. -
March 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. -
September 1981
Reagan appoints Sandra Day O'Connor as the first female justice on the U.S. Supreme Court. -
June 12, 1987
In a speech at Berlin's Brandenberg Gate, Reagan demands Gorbachev "tear down this wall." -
Jan. 11, 1989
Reagan gives his farewell address to the nation, in which he says the so-called Reagan revolution "made a difference." -
December 1991
The Soviet Union is formally dissolved. -
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." Read Reagan's letter. -
June 5, 2004
Ronald Reagan dies in California at the age of 93.
