January 20, 1981
Fifty-two American hostages held in Iran since Nov…
Fifty-two American hostages held in Iran since November 1979 are released, ending a 444 day hostage situation which began in Carter’s presidency.
January 20, 1981
Reagan inaugurated
Reagan is inaugurated as the fortieth President of the United States.
February 18, 1981
Spending speech
Reagan proposes increased defense spending, and decreased taxes and domestic spending in speech to Congress.
March 10, 1981
Reagan sends budget to Congress
Reagan sends budget proposal for fiscal year 1982 to Congress. The budget calls for spending $695.3 billion with a projected deficit of $45 billion. It includes funding cuts for 200 programs in addition to those cuts already proposed by President Carter.
March 30, 1981
Reagan shot in chest
Reagan is shot in the chest by John Warnock Hinckley Jr.
President Reagan Shot
On March 30, 1981, President Ronald Reagan was shot by John W. Hinkley, Jr., while leaving the Washington Hilton Hotel after giving a speech. The President was hit under his left arm by a bullet that ricocheted off his limousine. Once the sound of shots rang in the air, Secret Service agent Jerry Parr shoved Reagan into his limousine, and then, after
Parr's quick-witted diversion of the presidential limousine to the hospital was a move that probably saved Reagan's life. The bullet had missed Reagan's heart by a mere inch. Although not believed to be serious at the time, Reagan's wounds were in fact life-threatening. He underwent surgery to remove the bullet and repair a lung that had collapsed.
Still President Reagan, ever the trouper, walked into the hospital before he collapsed. Later he won the heart of the nation when the stories of his courage and humor disarmed critics and endeared him to the public. When he arrived at the hospital, he reportedly joked with the medical staff, “Please tell me you're Republicans,” and he quipped to an anxious Nancy, “Honey, I forgot to duck.” One of the older Presidents when elected, Reagan was 70 years old when he took the oath of office; questions about his stamina and energy were commonplace during the early months of his presidency. His quick recovery from the assassination attempt, however, helped to brush those concerns aside.
President Reagan appeared before a joint session of Congress a few months after the assassination attempt to thunderous support. The attempt on his life and speedy recovery from his wounds helped establish his reputation for toughness, humility, and strength-a far cry from the public perception of his predecessor, Jimmy Carter. Press Secretary James Brady, however, suffered permanent brain damage from his wounds, and later advocated the passage of gun control laws. The “Brady Bill,” named in his honor, limited handgun purchases and required background checks on gun purchasers.
In 1982, a District of Columbia jury tried John W. Hinkley, Jr., and found him not guilty by reason of insanity. He was then committed to St. Elizabeth's Hospital for treatment of his mental illness.
April 11, 1981
Reagan recovers
Reagan leaves the hospital after recovering from a gunshot wound.
April 24, 1981
Soviet grain embargo lifted
Reagan lifts a grain embargo imposed on Soviet Union by President Carter.
Sandra Day O’Connor, first woman on Supreme Court
Reagan nominates Sandra Day O'Connor to fill the seat of retiring Supreme Court justice Potter Stewart, making O'Connor the first woman to sit on the Supreme Court.
August 5, 1981
Reagan dismisses strikers
Reagan orders the dismissal of 13,000 PATCO air traffic controllers out on strike, citing their violation of a federal law against industry strikes.
In-Depth Exhibits
Reagan vs. air traffic controllers
August 13, 1981
Cutting taxes
Reagan signs a tax cut into law.
October 2, 1981
Military buildup
Reagan declares that the United States will produce the B-1 bomber and MX missiles as part of military buildup.
November 18, 1981
Negotiating with Soviet Union
Reagan states that he will not deploy intermediate-range nuclear missiles in Europe if the Soviet Union agrees to dismantle similar weapons already in place.
December 28, 1981
Sanctions on Poland
Reagan imposes economic sanctions on Poland following that government's imposition of martial law.
January 26, 1982
Reagan delivers State of the Union
Reagan calls for “New Federalism” in his State of the Union address, advocating less federal spending and more state initiative to solve social and economic problems.
Reagan addresses Parliament
Reagan becomes the first U.S. President to address the combined Houses of Parliament, taking Britain's side in the Falkland Islands conflict with Argentina.
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