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Reagan is inaugurated as the fortieth President of the United States.
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Reagan is shot in the chest by John Warnock Hinckley Jr.
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Reagan lifts a grain embargo imposed on the Soviet Union by President Carter.
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Reagan calls for “New Federalism” in his State of the Union address, advocating less federal spending and more state initiative to solve social and economic problems.
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Reagan signs the Tax Equity & Fiscal Responsibility Act (TEFRA).
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Reagan urges development of the Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI), an attempt to create a high-technology anti-ballistic missile shield to protect the United States from nuclear attack.
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The Republican Party re-nominates Reagan and Bush for 1984 presidential election.
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Reagan is reelected President, defeating Democratic candidate Walter Mondale.
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Reagan has a malignant polyp removed from his colon; Vice President Bush serves as acting President for eight hours.
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Supreme Court Chief Justice Warren Burger announces his retirement; Regan elevates Justice William Rehnquist to the position of chief justice and nominates Anthony Scalia as an associate justice.
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Reagan informs Congress that the United States secretly sold arms to Iran in violation of federal laws prohibiting arms deals with Iran. The administration denies that the sales were part of an attempt to secure the release of American hostages held by Iranian-backed forces.
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In televised address, Reagan accepts responsibility for actions in Iran-Contra affair that he claims occurred without his knowledge.
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Reagan prohibits federally funded family-planning centers from providing assistance to women seeking abortions.
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The Republican Party nominates George H.W. Bush and Dan Quayle for President and vice president.
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Reagan delivers his farewell address.