Ronald Wilson Reagan, a seminal figure in the annals of American political history, was born on February 6, 1911, in Tampico, Illinois. His passing on June 5, 2004, marked the conclusion of an epoch characterized by significant ideological reorientations within the United States and abroad. Initially gaining prominence as a Hollywood actor and president of the Screen Actors Guild, Reagan’s trajectory into political prominence was underscored by his evolution from a New Deal Democrat to a conservative Republican icon. This ideological metamorphosis culminated in his tenure as the 40th President of the United States from 1981 to 1989, following two terms as the Governor of California from 1967 to 1975.
Reagan’s presidential era was distinguished by its fervent advocacy for economic policies that espoused tax reduction, deregulation of domestic markets, and a diminution in government spending – principles collectively emblematic of what would be canonized as Reaganomics. His administration contended that such policies would engender economic revitalization through stimulative effects on investment and productivity growth. Concurrently, Reagan’s foreign policy was dominated by an aggressive stance against global communism, epitomized by his strategic military buildup and rhetorical confrontations with the Soviet Union — most famously encapsulated in his exhortation to tear down this wall referring to the Berlin Wall.
Moreover, Reagan’s legacy is intricately associated with a reinvigoration of conservative political philosophy within the United States, manifesting in both an amplification of American nationalism and an intensification of social conservatism that realigned the country’s political landscape. His administration’s policies not only precipitated substantial debates regarding fiscal responsibility and social welfare but also played a pivotal role in hastening the denouement of Cold War tensions. In summation, Ronald Reagan emerges as a colossus within twentieth-century American polity and ideology; his governance epochs delineated by profound shifts towards neoliberal economic policies and an assertive foreign policy posture intended to reaffirm American hegemony on the global stage.
Read moreIt’s difficult to believe that people are still starving in this country because food isn’t available.
-Ronald Reagan February 6, 1911 – June 5, 2004
It's difficult to believe that people are still starving in this country because food isn't available. -Ronald Reagan February 6, 1911 - June 5, 2004
Read moreWhile I take inspiration from the past, like most Americans, I live for the future.
-Ronald Reagan February 6, 1911 – June 5, 2004
While I take inspiration from the past, like most Americans, I live for the future. -Ronald Reagan February 6, 1911 - June 5, 2004
Read moreOptimism comes less easily today, not because democracy is less vigorous, but because democracy’s enemies have refined their instruments of repression.
-Ronald Reagan February 6, 1911 – June 5, 2004
Optimism comes less easily today, not because democracy is less vigorous, but because democracy's enemies have refined their instruments of repression. -Ronald Reagan February 6, 1911 - June 5, 2004
Read moreOf the four wars in my lifetime, none came about because the U.S. was too strong.
-Ronald Reagan February 6, 1911 – June 5, 2004
Of the four wars in my lifetime, none came about because the U.S. was too strong. -Ronald Reagan February 6, 1911 - June 5, 2004
Read moreThe British people know that, given strong leadership, time, and a little bit of hope, the forces of good ultimately rally and triumph over evil.
-Ronald Reagan February 6, 1911 – June 5, 2004
The British people know that, given strong leadership, time, and a little bit of hope, the forces of good ultimately rally and triumph over evil. -Ronald Reagan February 6, 1911 - June 5, 2004
Read moreLet us be shy no longer. Let us go to our strength. Let us offer hope. Let us tell the world that a new age is not only possible but probable.
-Ronald Reagan February 6, 1911 – June 5, 2004
Let us be shy no longer. Let us go to our strength. Let us offer hope. Let us tell the world that a new age is not only possible but probable. -Ronald Reagan February 6, 1911 - June 5, 2004
Read moreIf the federal government had been around when the Creator was putting His hand to this state, Indiana wouldn’t be here. It’d still be waiting for an environmental impact statement.
-Ronald Reagan February 6, 1911 – June 5, 2004
If the federal government had been around when the Creator was putting His hand to this state, Indiana wouldn't be here. It'd still be waiting for an environmental impact statement. -Ronald Reagan February 6, 1911 - June 5, 2004
Read moreI’ve never been able to understand why a Republican contributor is a ‘fat cat’ and a Democratic contributor of the same amount of money is a ‘public-spirited philanthropist’.
-Ronald Reagan February 6, 1911 – June 5, 2004
I've never been able to understand why a Republican contributor is a 'fat cat' and a Democratic contributor of the same amount of money is a 'public-spirited philanthropist'. -Ronald Reagan February 6, 1911 - June 5, 2004
Read moreOne picture is worth 1,000 denials.
-Ronald Reagan February 6, 1911 – June 5, 2004
One picture is worth 1,000 denials. -Ronald Reagan February 6, 1911 - June 5, 2004
Read moreGovernment exists to protect us from each other. Where government has gone beyond its limits is in deciding to protect us from ourselves.
-Ronald Reagan February 6, 1911 – June 5, 2004
Government exists to protect us from each other. Where government has gone beyond its limits is in deciding to protect us from ourselves. -Ronald Reagan February 6, 1911 - June 5, 2004
Read moreThe objective I propose is quite simple to state: to foster the infrastructure of democracy – the system of a free press, unions, political parties, universities – which allows a people to choose their own way to develop their own culture, to reconcile their own differences through peaceful means.
-Ronald Reagan February 6, 1911 – June 5, 2004
The objective I propose is quite simple to state: to foster the infrastructure of democracy - the system of a free press, unions, political parties, universities - which allows a people to choose their own way to develop their own culture, to reconcile their own...
Read moreLet us ask ourselves, ‘What kind of people do we think we are?’ And let us answer, ‘Free people, worthy of freedom and determined not only to remain so but to help others gain their freedom as well.’
-Ronald Reagan February 6, 1911 – June 5, 2004
Let us ask ourselves, 'What kind of people do we think we are?' And let us answer, 'Free people, worthy of freedom and determined not only to remain so but to help others gain their freedom as well.' -Ronald Reagan February 6, 1911 - June 5, 2004
Read moreToday, if you invent a better mousetrap, the government comes along with a better mouse.
-Ronald Reagan February 6, 1911 – June 5, 2004
Today, if you invent a better mousetrap, the government comes along with a better mouse. -Ronald Reagan February 6, 1911 - June 5, 2004
Read moreWe’re in greater danger today than we were the day after Pearl Harbor. Our military is absolutely incapable of defending this country.
-Ronald Reagan February 6, 1911 – June 5, 2004
We're in greater danger today than we were the day after Pearl Harbor. Our military is absolutely incapable of defending this country. -Ronald Reagan February 6, 1911 - June 5, 2004
Read moreI call upon the scientific community in our country, those who gave us nuclear weapons, to turn their great talents now to the cause of mankind and world peace: to give us the means of rendering these nuclear weapons impotent and obsolete.
-Ronald Reagan February 6, 1911 – June 5, 2004
I call upon the scientific community in our country, those who gave us nuclear weapons, to turn their great talents now to the cause of mankind and world peace: to give us the means of rendering these nuclear weapons impotent and obsolete. -Ronald Reagan February 6,...
Read moreA tree’s a tree. How many more do you need to look at?
-Ronald Reagan February 6, 1911 – June 5, 2004
A tree's a tree. How many more do you need to look at? -Ronald Reagan February 6, 1911 - June 5, 2004
Read moreToday on the NATO line, our military forces face east to prevent a possible invasion. On the other side of the line, the Soviet forces also face east to prevent their people from leaving.
-Ronald Reagan February 6, 1911 – June 5, 2004
Today on the NATO line, our military forces face east to prevent a possible invasion. On the other side of the line, the Soviet forces also face east to prevent their people from leaving. -Ronald Reagan February 6, 1911 - June 5, 2004
Read moreUnemployment insurance is a pre-paid vacation for freeloaders.
-Ronald Reagan February 6, 1911 – June 5, 2004
Unemployment insurance is a pre-paid vacation for freeloaders. -Ronald Reagan February 6, 1911 - June 5, 2004
Read moreInformation is the oxygen of the modern age. It seeps through the walls topped by barbed wire, it wafts across the electrified borders.
-Ronald Reagan February 6, 1911 – June 5, 2004
Information is the oxygen of the modern age. It seeps through the walls topped by barbed wire, it wafts across the electrified borders. -Ronald Reagan February 6, 1911 - June 5, 2004
Read moreA people free to choose will always choose peace.
-Ronald Reagan February 6, 1911 – June 5, 2004
A people free to choose will always choose peace. -Ronald Reagan February 6, 1911 - June 5, 2004
Read moreYou are Mrs. Reagan because Mr. Reagan loves you with all his heart.
-Ronald Reagan February 6, 1911 – June 5, 2004
You are Mrs. Reagan because Mr. Reagan loves you with all his heart. -Ronald Reagan February 6, 1911 - June 5, 2004
Read moreYes, across Europe, this wall will fall. For it cannot withstand faith; it cannot withstand truth. The wall cannot withstand freedom.
-Ronald Reagan February 6, 1911 – June 5, 2004
Yes, across Europe, this wall will fall. For it cannot withstand faith; it cannot withstand truth. The wall cannot withstand freedom. -Ronald Reagan February 6, 1911 - June 5, 2004
