Ronald Reagan — 40th U.S. President (1981

President Details

President Number: 40
Years in Office: 1981 - 1989
Term Dates: January 20, 1981 – January 20, 1989
Political Party: Republican
Vice President(s): George H. W. Bush

Legacy Summary

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.

Notable Actions

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

Timeline Entries

Key highlights and dated events associated with this presidency.

Showing 12 of 189 entries.

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Reagan fires striking PATCO controllers who defied return-to-work order

August 5, 1981 • Ronald Reagan

Executive Action

Reagan fires striking PATCO controllers who defied return-to-work order

After giving a 48-hour ultimatum, President Reagan announced the termination of thousands of air-traffic controllers who failed to return to work and directed agencies to begin firings and decertification actions.

PATCO air traffic controllers launch illegal strike

August 3, 1981 • Ronald Reagan

Crisis Response

PATCO air traffic controllers launch illegal strike

Members of the Professional Air Traffic Controllers Organization (PATCO) walked off the job, initiating an illegal strike by federal employees that disrupted U.S. air traffic.

Nominates Sandra Day O'Connor to the U.S. Supreme Court

July 7, 1981 • Ronald Reagan

Judicial

Nominates Sandra Day O'Connor to the U.S. Supreme Court

President Reagan nominated Arizona Judge Sandra Day O'Connor to the U.S. Supreme Court, the first woman ever nominated to the Court.

White House publicly condemns Israeli strike on Iraq's Osirak reactor

June 8, 1981 • Ronald Reagan

Foreign Policy

White House publicly condemns Israeli strike on Iraq's Osirak reactor

On June 8, the Reagan administration issued a public statement condemning Israel's June 7 airstrike on Iraq's Osirak nuclear reactor and calling for restraint and diplomatic handling of proliferation concerns.

Israeli airstrike attacks Iraq's Osirak nuclear reactor

June 7, 1981 • Ronald Reagan

Foreign Policy

Israeli airstrike attacks Iraq's Osirak nuclear reactor

On June 7, 1981, Israeli warplanes bombed and severely damaged the Osirak nuclear reactor near Baghdad; the Reagan administration publicly condemned the attack.

Reagan condemns assassination attempt on Pope John Paul II

May 13, 1981 • Ronald Reagan

Foreign Policy

Reagan condemns assassination attempt on Pope John Paul II

On May 13, 1981, after Pope John Paul II was shot in St. Peter’s Square, President Reagan issued a public statement condemning the attack and expressing the nation’s prayers and support for the Pope’s recovery.

President Reagan returns to the White House after assassination attempt

May 4, 1981 • Ronald Reagan

Crisis Response

President Reagan returns to the White House after assassination attempt

After being wounded in the April 30 assassination attempt, President Reagan was discharged from George Washington University Hospital and returned to the White House on May 4, 1981.

President Reagan discharged from George Washington University Hospital and returns to the White House

April 11, 1981 • Ronald Reagan

Crisis Response

President Reagan discharged from George Washington University Hospital and returns to the White House

After being treated for a gunshot wound sustained on March 30, 1981, President Ronald Reagan was released from George Washington University Hospital and returned to the White House on April 11, 1981.

Secret Service agent Timothy McCarthy wounded while shielding President Reagan

March 30, 1981 • Ronald Reagan

Crisis Response

Secret Service agent Timothy McCarthy wounded while shielding President Reagan

On March 30, 1981, Secret Service agent Timothy McCarthy was shot in the abdomen as he stepped between President Reagan and the gunman during the assassination attempt outside the Washington Hilton.

President Reagan shot outside the Washington Hilton hotel

March 30, 1981 • Ronald Reagan

Crisis Response

President Reagan shot outside the Washington Hilton hotel

John W. Hinckley Jr. fired shots at President Ronald Reagan and others as the president exited the Washington Hilton in Washington, D.C., striking Reagan and multiple bystanders.

D.C. police officer Thomas Delahanty seriously wounded defending the president

March 30, 1981 • Ronald Reagan

Crisis Response

D.C. police officer Thomas Delahanty seriously wounded defending the president

Metropolitan Police Officer Thomas K. Delahanty was shot and seriously wounded while intervening during the attack on President Reagan.

John W. Hinckley Jr. arrested at the scene for the assassination attempt

March 30, 1981 • Ronald Reagan

Judicial

John W. Hinckley Jr. arrested at the scene for the assassination attempt

John W. Hinckley Jr. was apprehended at the scene immediately after firing shots that wounded President Reagan and others and was charged in the attempted assassination.

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