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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Press Secretary James S. Brady was shot in the head during the attack and critically wounded, suffering injuries that left him permanently disabled.
After being shot outside the Washington Hilton, President Ronald Reagan was taken to George Washington University Hospital and underwent emergency surgery to treat a collapsed lung and remove bullet fragments.
On March 30, 1981, amid confusion after the shooting of President Reagan, Secretary of State Alexander Haig told reporters at the White House, 'I am in control here,' asserting authority during the unfolding crisis.
President Reagan was shot and wounded in an assassination attempt in Washington, D.C.
President Reagan nominated political scientist Jeane Kirkpatrick to serve as U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations.
On March 4, 1981, President Ronald Reagan delivered an address to a joint session of Congress presenting his economic agenda, calling for substantial reductions in federal spending and tax relief to stimulate growth.
Reagan addressed a joint session of Congress presenting his economic program—calling for large across‑the‑board tax cuts, significant spending reductions, and increased defense spending.
President Reagan signed Executive Order 12291 directing federal agencies to submit major regulations to OMB for centralized review and requiring formal cost‑benefit analyses for rulemaking.
On February 3, 1981, Reagan formally transmitted his first annual budget (FY 1982) to Congress, proposing major reductions in domestic discretionary programs and substantial increases in defense spending.
On January 30, 1981, John Hinckley Jr. opened fire outside the Washington Hilton, wounding President Reagan and three others (Press Secretary James Brady, Secret Service agent Tim McCarthy, and Metropolitan Police officer Thomas Delahanty); Reagan was shot under the left arm, underwent emergency surgery, and survived.
President Reagan announced William French Smith as his nominee for U.S. Attorney General on inauguration day.
On his first day in office, President Ronald Reagan announced Donald T. Regan as his nominee for Secretary of the Treasury.