Ronald Reagan was the 40th president of the United States, serving two terms from January 1981 to January 1989. A former actor and governor of California, he promoted conservative economic policies and a firm stance against the Soviet Union.
Reagan pursued supply-side economic policies—large tax cuts, deregulation, and shifts in spending—that helped lower inflation and stimulate growth but also coincided with rising federal deficits and greater income inequality.
On foreign policy he combined a military buildup and tough rhetoric toward the USSR with later diplomacy with Mikhail Gorbachev that advanced arms-control agreements; his presidency was also marred by the Iran–Contra affair.
Enacted major tax cuts with the Economic Recovery Tax Act of 1981; Pursued deregulation and conservative judicial appointments; Increased defense spending and advanced the Strategic Defense Initiative; Negotiated with Mikhail Gorbachev, contributing to U.S.–Soviet arms reductions; Re-elected in a 1984 landslide victory; Administration tarnished by the Iran–Contra affair
Key highlights and dated events associated with this presidency.
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Secretary of the Interior James G. Watt resigned and the Reagan administration accepted his resignation following controversy over his public remarks and policy positions.
Reagan signed into law legislation establishing a federal holiday honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., to be observed on the third Monday in January.
On October 25, 1983, U.S. forces, joined by Caribbean allies, launched Operation Urgent Fury to invade Grenada after a coup and the establishment of a military government, citing threats to American citizens and regional stability.
A suicide truck bomb struck the U.S. Marine barracks in Beirut, Lebanon, on October 23, 1983, killing 241 U.S. service members and injuring many others.
Maurice Bishop and several members of his government were killed following an internal coup in Grenada on October 19, 1983.
Korean Air Lines Flight 007, a civilian Boeing 747, was shot down by a Soviet Su-15 over Sakhalin Island, killing all 269 aboard—including U.S. Congressman Larry McDonald—and triggering an international crisis during Reagan's presidency.
On June 29, 1983, the Supreme Court ruled that the Internal Revenue Service could revoke tax-exempt status from private schools that practiced racial discrimination.
On June 23, 1983, the U.S. Supreme Court in INS v. Chadha held that the legislative veto violated the Constitution’s separation of powers by allowing Congress to overturn executive actions without bicameral passage and presentment.
NASA launched STS-7 on June 18, 1983, carrying astronaut Sally Ride, who became the first American woman to travel into space.
President Reagan issued a presidential proclamation designating May 25, 1983, as National Missing Children's Day to raise public awareness about missing children and the need for prevention and recovery efforts.
President Reagan issued a proclamation designating May 25, 1983, as National Missing Children’s Day to raise public awareness about child abductions and missing children.
President Reagan signed the Social Security Amendments of 1983, a bipartisan package of changes to shore up the program’s finances.