Reagan (disambiguation) facts for kids
Ronald Reagan was the 40th President of the United States, serving from 1981 to 1989. Before becoming president, he was an actor and the 33rd Governor of California. He is often remembered for his strong leadership during the Cold War and his economic policies, known as "Reaganomics."
Early Life and Career
Ronald Wilson Reagan was born on February 6, 1911, in Tampico, Illinois. His family later moved to Dixon, Illinois, where he spent much of his childhood. He graduated from Eureka College in 1932, where he studied economics and sociology.
After college, Reagan worked as a radio sports announcer. In 1937, he moved to California and began a career as an actor. He appeared in more than 50 films, including Knute Rockne, All American and King's Row. During his acting career, he also served as president of the Screen Actors Guild, a union for actors, from 1947 to 1952 and again from 1959 to 1960. This experience gave him a taste of leadership and public speaking.
Governor of California
Reagan's political career began to take shape in the 1960s. He was elected Governor of California in 1966 and served two terms until 1975. As governor, he focused on reducing government spending and reforming the state's welfare system. His time as governor prepared him for the national political stage.
Presidency (1981-1989)
Reagan was elected President in 1980, winning by a large margin. He was re-elected in 1984. His presidency focused on several key areas:
Economic Policies (Reaganomics)
One of the most famous parts of Reagan's presidency was his economic plan, often called Reaganomics. This plan had four main parts:
- Reducing government spending
- Cutting income taxes and capital gains taxes
- Reducing government regulation of businesses
- Controlling the money supply to reduce inflation
The idea behind Reaganomics was that by cutting taxes and regulations, businesses would grow, create more jobs, and the economy would become stronger.
Foreign Policy and the Cold War
Reagan took a strong stance against the Soviet Union during the Cold War. He believed in building up the U.S. military to negotiate from a position of strength. He famously challenged Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev to "tear down this wall" in a speech at the Berlin Wall in 1987. Many historians believe Reagan's policies helped lead to the end of the Cold War and the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989.
Family
Ronald Reagan was married twice. His first marriage was to actress Jane Wyman, with whom he had a daughter, Maureen Reagan, and adopted a son, Michael Reagan. After their divorce, he married Nancy Davis in 1952. Nancy became First Lady when he became president. They had two children together, a daughter named Patti and a son named Ron Reagan.
Legacy
Ronald Reagan left office in 1989 with high approval ratings. He is remembered for his optimism, his ability to communicate with the public, and his role in ending the Cold War. He passed away on June 5, 2004.
Things Named After Ronald Reagan
Many places and awards are named in honor of Ronald Reagan:
- USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76): A large aircraft carrier in the United States Navy.
- Ronald Reagan Presidential Library: Located in Simi Valley, California, it holds his presidential papers and artifacts.
- Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport: A major airport serving Washington, D.C.
- Ronald Reagan Freedom Award: An award given to people who have made important contributions to freedom around the world.
Other Uses of the Name Reagan
While Ronald Reagan is the most famous person with this name, "Reagan" can also refer to:
- Reagan: A movie written and directed by Eugene Jarecki.
- Reagan Gomez-Preston: An American actress.
