Ronald Reagan presidential campaign, 1980 facts for kids

Ronald Reagan, the 33rd Governor of California, announced his candidacy for President of the United States in New York City on November 13, 1979. On July 17, 1980, he became the nominee of the Republican Party for the 1980 presidential election. William J. Casey managed Reagan's campaign.

The slogan of his campaign were "Are You Better Off Than You Were Four Years Ago?" and "Make America Great Again".

After winning the Republican nomination, he selected one of his opponents in the primary elections, George H. W. Bush, to be his running mate (vice president candidate).

On November 4, 1980, Reagan won 44 states and 489 electoral votes to win the election. Jimmy Carter, the then-current president, carried six states, as well as Washington, D.C., and won 49 electoral votes. Reagan won 50.7 percent of the popular vote, Carter took 41 percent, and Independent John B. Anderson (a liberal Republican) received 6.7 percent.

Reagan's election as President was completed with the meeting of the Electoral College on December 15, 1980, and with the college's vote by the Joint session of Congress on January 6, 1981.

Reagan was inaugurated on January 20, 1981.

Images for kids

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  Reagan's Republican primaries campaign logo.

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  Republican Debate with Philip Crane, George H. W. Bush, moderator Eric Sevareid, Ronald Reagan, and John B. Anderson in Chicago, Illinois

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  President-elect Reagan and Nancy Reagan meets with outgoing President Jimmy Carter.