Birthdate, Place and Family Members
On February 6, 1911, in a very small town in Illinois, ronald Wilson Reagan was born. Parents Nellie Wilson Reagan and John Edward “Jack” Reagan nicknamed Ronald “Dutch” at a young age, claiming he looked like a fat dutchman. Mr. Reagan was a shoe salesman while Mrs. Reagan was a religious member of the Disciples of Christ Church. Older brother Neill was born just three years prior to him and became an advertising executive later in life. His father came from Irish Catholic descendants, while his mother came from Scots and English immigrants. His mother’s attitude shaped him as an optimist, having strong faith, and great showmanship, regardless of his father’s alcohol addiction. As a child, Reagan seemed to distance himself from people, most likely related to his father’s addiction. He grew up in multiple towns throughout Illinois including Tampico, Monmouth, Dixon, Galesburg, and Chicago. He ended up attending Eureka University and earned his Bachelor's Degree in both economics as well as sociology. Later, during his terms as president, his sociology background plays in his favor.
Hobbies/Interests/Activities
In 1932, Reagan’s first job was a sports announcer for a radio station. His love of sports took over in his first job and really showed. He was known as the”jack of all trades”. He loved and excelled in politics, sports, and theater. In college, he was the captain of the swim team, a member of the football team, as well as was elected student body president.
1937 started Reagan’s taste of fame and entertainment career. He had always enjoyed acting and theater arts throughout his life His seven year contract with Warner Brothers studios, allowed him to appear in over 10 movies. However it became his envy after being drafted in WWII and when he came back it ruined quite a few things. One of which, ended his first marriage, his jealousy of his then-wife Jane’s flourishing acting career led to divorce in 1949.
Anecdotes
During Roosevelt’s Presidency, many companies shut down, including the employer of Reagan’s father. His father struggled finding a new job after being laid off, and Reagan became extremely worried for his family. When Roosevelt came out with his new Deal plan, Reagan’s dad was employed at a new company and Reagan became a “bleeding heart liberal and supported democratic politicians”, having forever gratitude towards Roosevelt.
Air Corps drafted Reagan for World War II and changed his outlook on many important subjects. After the war, the thought of communism sunk in to Reagan’s mind and became concerned with democratic views. He then adopted conservative beliefs. He opposed high taxes and government regulation, denounced welfare programs, and was very anti-communist. These beliefs kept Reagan from being elected as president for two runnings, because he was thought to be favoring the rich.Career
After his entertainment career fizzled and he ended his deployment, Ronald Reagan took up one of his hobbies and turned it into a career. In 1966, Reagan ran for governor of California. Winning over Pat Brown, Reagan served two terms as governor. After his first term, he ran for nomination of the republican party, but lost to Dick Nixon. After multiple losses of nomination, he won both the republican nomination as well as the presidential. His slogan, “It’s morning in America” must have won over several Americans, enough to win 489 of 538 electoral votes. He made outrageous statements about topics that had normally always been thought of one way. His main goal was to reduce the size of the federal government. By doing so, he cut $140 billion from social programs in his first four years, created $190 billion in tax cuts across the board, leaving more money in the all American’s pockets.He attacked welfare and believed government aid was unneeded. He knew how to talk to people, how to give and also write speeches. He made each American believe he was speaking directly to them and knew exactly what they were going through, easily winning their vote.
Reason for FameTax cuts, social program cuts, anti-communist beliefs, a strong military, meaningful speeches, these are just a few of many reasons why Mr. Ronald Reagan has become a household name. Surviving an assassination attempt, disregarding typical “media rules”, and his resistance to a large federal government. Reagan was not your typical president. he touched the hearts of thousands, seemed down-to-Earth, and many actually believed that the “Reagan Revolution” actually shed light on what would be a national shift toward conservatism.
Old Age
Ending his presidency at age 69, Reagan did not just quit his politics passion. He created the Ronald Reagan Library which contained government documents as well as personal diaries, autobiographies, and memoirs. He continued with his public speaking, however in 1990, it had become apparent that something was just not the same with Mr. Reagan. By 1994, Reagan himself confronted the public with his disease and disappeared from the public eye. In his last public speech, he revealed that he had Alzheimer's.
Death
After 10 years of battling his Alzheimer’s, and finally contracting pneumonia, Reagan died on June 5th, in his Bel Air home. His funeral lasted seven days and on June the 11th, current president George W. Bush declared a national day of mourning.
