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Ronald Reagan. The 40th President of The United States
• Born: February 6, 1911
• Birthplace: Tampico, Illinois
• Died: June 5, 2004
• Best Known As: 40th President of the
United States; “Dutch”
Ronald Reagan, originally an American actor and politician, became the 40th President of the United States serving from 1981 to 1989. His term saw a restoration of prosperity at home, with the goal of achieving “peace through strength” abroad.
At the end of his two terms in office, Ronald Reagan viewed with satisfaction the achievements of his innovative program known as the Reagan Revolution, which aimed to reinvigorate the American people and reduce their reliance upon Government. He felt he had fulfilled his campaign pledge of 1980 to restore “the great, confident roar of American progress and growth and optimism.”
On February 6, 1911, Ronald Wilson Reagan was born to Nelle and John Reagan in Tampico, Illinois. He attended high school in nearby Dixon and then worked his way through Eureka College. There, he studied economics and sociology, played on the football team, and acted in school plays. Upon graduation, he became a radio sports announcer. A screen test in 1937 won him a contract in Hollywood. During the next two decades he appeared in 53 films.
From his first marriage to actress Jane Wyman, he had two children, Maureen and Michael. Maureen passed away in 2001. In 1952 he married Nancy Davis, who was also an actress, and they had two children, Patricia Ann and Ronald Prescott.
As president of the Screen Actors Guild, Reagan became embroiled in disputes over the issue of Communism in the film industry; his political views shifted from liberal to conservative. He toured the country as a television host, becoming a spokesman for conservatism. In 1966 he was elected Governor of California by a margin of a million votes; he was re-elected in 1970.
Ronald Reagan won the Republican Presidential nomination in 1980 and chose as his running mate former Texas Congressman and United Nations Ambassador George Bush. Voters troubled by inflation and by the year-long confinement of Americans in Iran swept the Republican ticket into office. Reagan won 489 electoral votes to 49 for President Jimmy Carter.
On January 20, 1981, Reagan took office. Only 69 days later he was shot by a would-be assassin, but quickly recovered and returned to duty. His grace and wit during the dangerous incident caused his popularity to soar.
Dealing skillfully with Congress, Reagan obtained legislation to stimulate economic growth, curb inflation, increase employment, and strengthen national defense. He embarked upon a course of cutting taxes and Government expenditures, refusing to deviate from it when the strengthening of defense forces led to a large deficit.
A renewal of national self-confidence by 1984 helped Reagan and Bush win a second term with an unprecedented number of electoral votes. Their victory turned away Democratic challengers Walter F. Mondale and Geraldine Ferraro.
In 1986 Reagan obtained an overhaul of the income tax code, which eliminated many deductions and exempted millions of people with low incomes. At the end of his administration, the Nation was enjoying its longest recorded period of peacetime prosperity without recession or depression.
In foreign policy, Reagan sought to achieve “peace through strength.” During his two terms he increased defense spending 35 percent, but sought to improve relations with the Soviet Union. In dramatic meetings with Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev, he negotiated a treaty that would eliminate intermediate-range nuclear missiles. Reagan declared war against international terrorism, sending American bombers against Libya after evidence came out that Libya was involved in an attack on American soldiers in a West Berlin nightclub.
By ordering naval escorts in the Persian Gulf, he maintained the free flow of oil during the Iran-Iraq war. In keeping with the Reagan Doctrine, he gave support to anti-Communist insurgencies in Central America, Asia, and Africa.
Overall, the Reagan years saw a restoration of prosperity, and the goal of peace through strength seemed to be within grasp.
Secretary of the Treasury under President Regan:
• Donald Regan (Cambridge,
Massachusetts) – January 22, 1981 –
February 1, 1985
• James Baker (Houston, Texas) –
February 4, 1985 – August 17, 1988
• M. Peter McPherson (Grand Rapids,
Michigan) – August 17, 1988 –
September 15, 1988 – 3rd Deputy
Secretary of the Treasury.
United States Mint Directors Appointed by President Regan:
• Donna Pope (Cleveland, Ohio) – July
1981 – August 1991
Coinage legislation enacted during President Regan’s presidency:
• December 23, 1981 - signs Public Law
97-104 - 97th Congress - This Act may
be cited as the "George Washington
Commemorative Coin Act". To provide for
the minting of half dollars with a design
emblematic of the two hundred and
fiftieth anniversary of the birth of George
Washington.
• July 22, 1982 - signs Public Law 97-220 -
97th Congress Los Angeles Olympiad
Discus Thrower Silver Dollar – This Act
may be cited as the "Olympic
Commemorative Coin Act". The 3-coin
1984 Olympic coin program, allowing two
types of silver coins and one type of gold
coin. The Secretary shall determine the
design of such one-dollar coins. Such
design shall be emblematic of the 1984
summer Olympic games which are to be
held in Los Angeles, California
• November 14, 1983 - signs Public Law
98-151 - 98th Congress, including a
mandate for the Treasury Secretary to
annually produce Uncirculated and Proof
Mint sets.
• July 9, 1985 - signs Public Law 99-61-
99th Congress Statue of Liberty-Ellis
Island Commemorative Coin Act. To
authorize the minting of coins in
commemoration of the centennial of the
Statue of Liberty and to authorize the
issuance of Liberty Coins. The design of
such Gold Five Dollar coins shall be
emblematic of the centennial of the
Statue of Liberty
• September 9, 1985 - issues Executive
Order 12532, effective October 11,
establishing trade and other sanctions
against South Africa, including an import
ban on Kruggerand gold coins. The order
also directs Treasury Department to
conduct feasibility study on issuing gold
bullion coins, and seek legislative
authority to proceed.
• October 29, 1985 - signs a bill authorizing
gold and silver coinage to commemorate
the 200th anniversary of the US
Constitution.
• December 17, 1985 - signs the Gold
Bullion Coin Act of 1985 (Public Law 99-
185) directing Treasury to issue 0.9167
fine gold bullion coins: $50 (one ounce),
$25 (half ounce), $10 (quarter ounce), $5
(tenth ounce). The gold is to be acquired
from natural deposits in the US or
territory or possession when possible,
and when not, from the US reserves.
Profits from sales would be used to pay
down the national debt.
• October 29, 1986 - Bicentennial of the
Constitution Coins Act, Public Law 99-
582 - 99th Congress - This Act may be
cited as the "Bicentennial of the
Constitution Coins Act". To authorize the
minting of coins in commemoration of
the bicentennial of the United States
Constitution. The design of such dollar
coins shall be emblematic of the
bicentennial of the United States
Constitution.
• October 28, 1987 - signs Olympics
(Seoul) Gold $5 - "1988 Olympic
Commemorative Coin Act" Public Law
100–141 - 100th Congress - This Act may
be cited as the "1988 Olympic
Commemorative Coin Act". To authorize
the minting of commemorative coins to
support the training of American athletes
participating in the 1988 Olympic
Games.
• October 3, 1988 - signs the Eisenhower
Centennial Dollar, Public Law 100 – 467 -
100th Congress - This Act may be cited
as the "Dwight David Eisenhower
Commemorative Coin Act of 1988". To
require the Secretary of the Treasury to
mint and issue one-dollar coins in
commemoration of the 100th anniversary
of the birth of Dwight David Eisenhower.
The design of the coin shall have the
likeness of Dwight David Eisenhower on
the obverse side of such coin; and have
an illustration of the home of Dwight
David Eisenhower located in the
Gettysburg National Historic Site on the
reverse side of such coin.
• November 17, 1988 - Congress
Bicentennial - "Bicentennial of the United
States Congress Commemorative Coin
Act" Public Law 100 – 673 - 100th
Congress - This Act may be cited as the
"Bicentennial of the United States
Congress Commemorative Coin Act". To
require the Secretary of the Treasury to
mint coins in commemoration of the
Bicentennial of the United States
Congress. The design of the Five Dollar
Gold coins, the One Dollar Silver Coins
and the Half Dollar Coins shall be
emblematic of the Bicentennial of the
United States Congress.
Number minted: 25,000 Number sold: 20,199