President Ronald W. Reagan
By Glenna Goodacre 1998
Ronald Reagan was one of the most influential leaders of the 20th century. He led a profound change in our world - at home and abroad. His deep convictions, optimism, and determination continue to inspire millions of people around the world today.
I'm reminded of my parents teachings.. everything works out for the best and individuals determine their destiny through ambition and hard work." RONALD REAGAN
America's best days are yet to come. Our proudest moments are yet to be. Our most glorious achievements are just ahead.
The story that will be told inside the walls... is the story not only of a presidency but of a movement - a determined movement dedicated to the greatness of America and faith in its bedrock traditions: in the essential goodness of its people: in the essential soundness of its institutions: and, yes, faith in our very essence as a nation.
Moment of Second Inauguration Sculpture
Sculpted by Robert Berks January 2002
A gift of Arnold and Maria Schwarzenegger
- This is Reagan Country
- Tired of Inflation? Vote Republican!
- Reagan
- Win it for the Gipper
- Reagan Bush
- Surfboard from Pepperdine University
- Father Henryk Jankowski Solidarity Sword
- Most Honorable Order of the Bath - British Knighthood
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- Congressional Gold Medal
- Presidential Medal of Freedom
- A First Lady's Medal of Freedom
- Order of the Chrysanthemum - Japan's Highest Order
- Dimensions: 4ft wide x 4 ft high
- Artist: Peter Rocha, San Francisco, California
- Approximate number of beans: 10,000 in total
- Media: painted in oil then covered in a mosaic tradition with Jelly Belly beans to create depth and dimension: beans then protected and permanently preserved with polyurethane.
Red ribbons with the phrase "Just Say No" were everywhere in the 1980s, but jewelry and T-shirts, such as this rhinestone pin, also spelled out the famous phrase.
Major League Baseball presented this laser-cut "JUST SAY NO" bat to Nancy Reagan during game one of the 1988 World Series in Dodger Stadium, October 15, 1988.
The next thing I knew, my brand-new pinstriped blue suit was being cut off me, never to be worn again.
The Assassination Attempt
John Hinckley fired six shots in only a few seconds during the attempt on President Reagan's life. On hearing the shots, Secret Service agent Jerry Parr pushed President Reagan into the armored presidential limousine. But a bullet had ricocheted off the vehicle and struck the president.
The flattened bullet hit a rib, passed through the president's lung, and stopped less than an inch from his heart. Although no one knew it at the time, President Reagan's condition was extremely grave as he entered the hospital. That day, he lost more than half his blood.
March 30, 1981
- Shots Fired - At first, no one realized that President Reagan had been shot. But Secret Service agent Jerry Parr saw that the president was coughing up blood and directed his limousine to George Washington University Hospital, very likely saving the president's life.
- At the White House - First Lady Nancy Reagan and White House aides James Baker and Edwin Meese rushed to George Washington University Hospital.
- In the Situation Room - Secretary of State Alexander Haig, Secretary of Defense Caspar Weinberger, and other top advisers met. Secretary Weinberger ordered a military alert.
- Briefing the Nation - In the White House Press Briefing Room, Secretary Haig announced "I'm in control here, in the White House, pending the return of the vice president and in close touch with him."
- Vice President Bush Arrives - Four hours later, uncertain if the president would survive, the vice president arrived back in Washington from Texas.
- Successful Surgery - Surgeons operated on President Reagan, and he regained consciousness early in the evening.
This plece of bullet-resistant glass was used in the Presidential Limousine. One of the many security features overseen by the Secret Service, it is of multiple layers of glass and plastic.
An Assassin's Tool
This .22 caliber Rohm RG-14 revolver is almost identical to the firearm John Hinckley purchased in October of 1980 from a Texas pawnshop.
On March 30, 1981, the would-be assassin fired six shots at President Reagan from a distance of approximately fifteen feet.
As the president was pushed into the limousine by Secret Service agents, a bullet ricocheted off of the vehicle and wounded the president on his left side.
- The Reagan Court
In 1986, Warren Burger retired as Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, and Ronald Reagan nominated sitting Justice William Rehnquist as his replacement. To fill Rehnquist's spot, President Reagan chose Antonin Scalia. In 1988, when Lewis Powell retired from the Court, he appointed Anthony Kennedy.President Reagan also appointed more federal judges than any other president in history. His choices introduced a more conservative judicial philosophy throughout the federal judiciary for decades to come.
Judge O'Connor's confirmation symbolizes the richness of opportunity...that permits persons.from every section and every walk of life to aspire and achieve... September 21, 1981
- Madame Justice
During the campaign for president in 1980, Ronald Reagan promised to appoint the first woman to the Supreme Court. A vacancy on the court opened in 1981, and he chose a former state senator and appeals court judge from Arizona, Sandra Day O'Connor.The appointment shattered the glass ceiling in the U.S. judiciary and opened the way for more women judges in the federal courts. To this day, women in all walks of life benefit from Ronald Reagan's choice and Justice O'Connor's achievements.
- Robert Bork
Choosing Robert Bork for the Supreme Court in July 1987 was a controversial nomination. The American Bar Association rated him well-qualified for the position. His conservative political and judicial philosophies were well known. Bork' opponents mounted an intense publicity campaign to undermine his nomination.His confirmation hearing was a bitter, personal, and partisan debate. The Senate, with Democrats in the majority, ultimately rejected his nomination 58-42.
We are the keepers of the flame of liberty; we hold it high tonight for the world to see... July 3, 1986
In 1984, the Statue of Liberty was closed for a $250 million restoration. Two years later, President Reagan presided at Liberty Weekend, the rededication of the statue on its centennial.
On the evening of July 3, the president pressed a button that sent a mile long laser beam across New York Harbor to activate the floodlights illuminating the statue. The next day Naney Reagan cut the ribbon that allowed visitors to once again tour Lady liberty. The president wrote, "That was one of the grandest occasions I attended while I was president."
At 8:47am, on September 11, 2001, Emergency Reporting System Box 8087 transmitted a call for help to Battalion 1 of the Fire Department of New York that an aircraft had crashed into the North Tower of the World Trade Center. Ultimately, thousands of New York City first responders answered the call to rescue victims trapped in the collapsing North and South Towers. When America was under attack by terrorists on this tragic day, 2,830 people perished in New York, including 343 firefighters and 60 police officers. At 9:40am AAL Flight 77 crashed into the west face of the Pentagon, killing 189 people. One hour later UAL Flight 93 crashed in a field near Shanksville, Pennsylvania, killing all 44 on board.
From the rubble of the North Tower this 14-foot structural beam was recovered. Weighing approximately 1,200 pounds, the beam is imprinted with "FDNY 343" representing those 343 firefighters who made the ultimate sacrifice.
May we always honor their memory and as a nation may we never forget their sacrifice.
While in California, Queen Elizabeth II visited President Reagan at Rancho del Cielo and gave him this saddle.
Eat Life is not associated with the Reagan Library in any way. The official Reagan Library websites are here:
[https://www.reaganlibrary.gov/]
[https://www.reaganfoundation.org/library-museum/]