Ronald Reagan Biography

Timeline: 1981-1989

The Reagan Presidency timeline highlights significant events during the White House years of 1981-9.

• 1981
  • January 5th

    Named TIME magazine's "Man of the Year".

  • January 20th

    Reagan sworn in as the 40th President of the United States. Delivered first inaugural speech.

  • January 20th

    Hostages in Iran are released.

  • January 22nd.

    Presidential Task Force on Regulatory Relief is established.

  • January 27th

    White House ceremony for released hostages.

  • February 5th

    Addressed the nation about the economy.

  • February 18th

    Addressed Congress about the economy.

  • March 26th

    Signed Executive Order 12301, which established the Presidential Council on Integrity and Efficiency.

  • March 30th

    Assassination attempt by John W. Hinckley, Jr.

  • April 11th

    President Reagan released from George Washington Hospital.

  • April 28th

    Addressed joint session of Congress on the Economic Recovery Program.

  • May 17th

    Received honorary degree from Notre Dame.

  • July 7th

    Nominated Sandra Day O'Conner for Supreme Court Justice.

  • July 19th-21st

    G7 Summit took place in Ottawa, Canada.

  • July 29th

    House approved tax cut legislation.

  • August 3rd

    Issued ultimatum to striking air traffic controllers.

  • August 13th

    Reagan signs the Economic Recovery Tax Act.

  • September 21st

    Sandra Day O'Connor confirmed as Justice of the Supreme Court. O'Connor is the first woman ever to serve on the nation's highest court.

  • September 24th

    Addressed the nation on economic recovery and Social Security.

  • September 29th

    Delivered World Bank and IMF address on free enterprise versus aid.

  • October 2nd

    Announced the United States Strategic Weapons Initiative.

  • October 5th

    Announced volunteerism initiative.

  • October 15th

    Delivered free enterprise speech at World Affairs Council.

  • October 18-19th

    200th Anniversary of the Battle of Yorktown celebrated with French President Mitterrand.

  • October 21st-24th

    Attended summit on International Cooperation & Development in Cancun.

  • November 18th

    Delivered speech on arms reduction to the National Press Club.

  • November 23rd

    Reagan vetoed the 1982 Continuing Budget Resolution.

  • December 1st

    Held White House Council on Aging.

  • December 22nd

    Met with defected Polish Ambassador Spasowski.

  • December 23rd

    Delivered an address to the nation on the situation in Poland.

• 1982
  • January 26th

    First State of the Union speech.

  • February 9th

    Delivered "New Federalism" speech in Indianapolis.

  • February 22nd

    Celebrated 250th Anniversary of the birth of George Washington.

  • February 24th

    Caribbean Basin Initiative announced at the Organization of American States. This was the first major step in creating free trade zones throughout the Americas.

  • February 26th

    Addressed 9th annual CPAC conference.

  • March 3rd

    Grace Commission formed to find ways to make government more efficient.

  • March 23rd

    Enterprise Zone Initiative announced.

  • April 14th

    Presidential Commission on Drunk Driving established.

  • April 15th

    Tuition Tax Credit plan announced.

  • April 29th

    Addressed the nation on the national budget and the Balanced Budget Amendment.

  • May 9th

    Delivered START speech at Eureka College.

  • May 18th

    Launched Centennial Commission for Liberty and Ellis Islands.

  • May 31st

    Announced Strategic Arms Reduction Talks (START) with Soviet Union.

  • June 4-6th

    G7 Summit in Versailles, France.

  • June 8th

    Became first President to address both Houses of Parliament in the United Kingdom. Delivered Crusade for Freedom speech.

  • June 11th

    Visited West Berlin.

  • June 17th

    Delivered "Agenda for Peace" speech at U.N. Special Session on Disarmament.

    Alexander Haig resigns as Secretary of State, George Schultz nominated to succeed him.

  • June 30th

    Signed Executive Order 12369, which established the President's Private Sector Survey on Cost Control (aka the Grace Commission or PPCCSS).

  • Summer

    The Reagan economic expansion begins. It would set a record for duration, lasting until the summer of 1990.

  • July 16th

    George Schultz sworn in as Secretary of State.

  • July 19th

    Capital rally for the Balanced Budget Amendment.

  • August 16th

    Addressed nation on taxes and budget reconciliation.

  • August 20th

    "Fresh Start" Middle East initiative.

  • August 25th

    Marines arrived in Beirut, Lebanon to secure the airport and help prevent war between Israel and Syria.

  • September 1st

    Addressed the nation on the situation in the Middle East.

  • September 3rd

    Signed Tax Equity and Fiscal Responsibility Act (TEFRA).

  • September 20th

    Addressed the nation on the formation of a multinational peacekeeping force for Lebanon.

  • October 1st

    Balance Budget Amendment defeated in the House.

  • October 12th

    Signed Missing Children Act and the Victim and Witness Act.

  • October 13th

    Addressed the nation on the improving economy

  • October 14th

    Launches Organized Crime and Drug Trafficking initiatives.

  • November 10th

    Leonid Brezhnev died.

  • November 11th

    First commercial operations mission of the Space Shuttle.

  • November 12th

    Yuri Andropov succeeds Brezhnev as leader of the Soviet Union.

  • November 13th

    Lifted sanctions on Soviet Pipeline.

  • November 22nd

    Addressed the nation on arms control and MX missile basing.

  • November 23rd

    Highway and Bridge Repair Program proposed, including five cent hike in gasoline taxes.

  • December 28th

    Battleship U.S.S. New Jersey recommissioned.

• 1983
  • January 3rd

    Commission on Strategic Forces created.

  • January 6th

    Signed Surface Transportation Assistance Act.

  • January 7th

    Signed Nuclear Waste Policy Act.

  • January 24th

    Native American policy announced.

  • January 25th

    Delivered State of the Union address including the freeze on Federal spending.

  • February 18th

    Delivered speech at the 10th annual CPAC Conference—"We Will Not Be Turned Back".

  • February 23rd

    Presented Presidential Medal of Freedom to the Reverend Billy Graham.

  • March 8th

    Addressed the National Association of Evangelicals, giving what became known as the Evil Empire speech.

  • March 10th

    Addressed the National Association of Manufacturers.

  • March 23rd

    Addressed the nation on national security and the SDI program.

  • April 18th

    U.S. Embassy in Beirut bombed.

  • April 20th

    Signed amendments to the Social Security Act designed to secure the program for several decades.

  • April 27th

    Addressed Congress on El Salvador.

  • April 30th

    Addressed nation on education.

  • May 27th

    Attended G7 Summit in Williamsburg, Virginia.

  • June 3rd

    Excellence in Education Campaign launched.

  • July 18th

    Created Commission on Central America.

  • July 28th

    Created Commission on Organized Crime.

  • August 14th

    United States-Mexico Agreement on the environment in the border area.

  • September 1st

    The Soviet Union shot down the civilian airliner KAL 007.

  • September 5th

    Addressed the nation on the KAL 007 incident.

  • September 24th

    Addressed the nation on a long-term framework for negotiations with the Soviet Union.

  • September 26th

    Addressed the United Nations on the Soviet Union.

  • October 5th

    Launched Caribbean Basin Initiative

  • October 17th

    Re-election campaign committee formed on exploratory basis.

  • October 23rd

    Marine barracks in Beirut are attacked.

  • October 25th

    Grenada liberated by U.S. led invasion.

  • October 27th

    Addressed the nation on Lebanon and Grenada.

  • November 2nd

    Signed bill making Martin Luther King, Jr. Day a national holiday.

  • November 11th

    Addressed the Japanese Diet on trade policy.

  • December 4th

    U.S. forces bombed Syrian targets in Lebanon

• 1984
  • January 16th

    Addressed nation on U.S.-Soviet relations.

    Grace Commission findings on pay announced.

  • January 25th

    Delivered State of the Union speech—"America is back".

  • January 29th

    Reagan announced that he will run for re-election.

  • February 3rd

    Kissinger's report on Central America received.

  • February 9th

    Yuri Andropov died.

  • February 13th

    Konstantin Chernenko becomes leader of the Soviet Union.

  • March 2nd

    Delivered speech at the 11th annual CPAC Conference—"Our Noble Vision: An Opportunity For All".

  • April 26th-30th

    Traveled to China, signed nuclear arms agreement.

  • May 9th

    Addressed the nation on Central America.

  • May 24th

    Delivered remarks in honor of unknown soldier.

  • June 4th

    Delivered remarks to Irish Parliament.

  • June 6th

    Delivered speech commemorating the 40th Anniversary of D-Day and a speech honoring those who died at Omaha Beach.

  • June 7th-9th

    Attended G7 Summit in London.

  • July 17th

    Signed bill increasing minimum drinking age to 21.

  • July 18th

    Signed deficit reduction bill.

  • August 23rd

    Accepted nomination for Republican Party presidential candidate in Dallas, Texas.

  • October 7th

    First debate with Democrat candidate Walter Mondale.

  • October 12th

    Held whistle stop tour of Ohio.

  • October 20th

    Addressed the nation on foreign policy.

  • October 21st

    Second debate with Walter Mondale.

  • November 6th

    Wins landslide re-election victory with the largest electoral margin in history (525 to 13).

• 1985
  • January 5th

    Ed Meese III nominated for Attorney General.

  • January 20th

    Second Inauguration, delivers inaugural speech.

  • February 6th

    Delivered State of the Union speech.

  • February 25th

    Ed Meese III sworn in as Attorney General.

  • March 10th

    Konstantin Chernenko died.

  • March 11th

    Mikhail Gorbachev become leader of the Soviet Union.

  • March 19th

    Senate approved MX missile plan.

  • March 25th

    Launched Youth Employment Opportunity Wage Initiative.

  • April 4th

    Attended G7 Summit in Bonn, West Germany.

  • May 5th

    Delivered speeches at the Bergen-Belsen concentration camp and Bitburg cemetery honoring victims of World War II.

  • May 8th

    Addressed European Parliament on Soviet arms.

  • May 20th

    Launched Summer Jobs for Youth program.

  • June 30th

    Addressed the nation on tax reform.

  • July 8th

    Addressed the American Bar Association on terrorism.

  • July 13th

    Underwent surgery for colon cancer.

  • September 9th

    Enacted economic sanctions against South Africa's Apartheid government.

  • October 7th

    The cruise ship Achille Lauro is hijacked.

  • October 24th

    Addressed the United Nations on its 40th Anniversary about a "Fresh Start" with the Soviet Union.

  • October 31st

    Announced new proposal on arms reduction.

  • November 14th

    Addressed the nation and the Soviet Union on the U.S.-Soviet Geneva Summit.

  • November 16th

    Reagan-Gorbachev Summit in Geneva.

    Agreement reached to reduce nuclear weapons for the first time ever.

  • November 21st

    Addressed Congress on Geneva Summit's "Fresh Start".

  • December 1st

    All-Star tribute conducted in honor of Dutch Reagan.

  • December 12th

    248 American soldiers killed in plane crash in Newfoundland, Canada.

  • December 19th

    Domestic and Economic Policy Councils briefed on AIDS programs.

• 1986
  • January 1st

    Addressed the Soviet Union (Gorbachev addressed the United States as well).

  • January 7th

    Imposed economic sanctions on Libya.

  • January 28th

    Space Shuttle Challenger exploded shortly after liftoff.

    Addressed the nation on the Challenger disaster.

  • February 3rd

    Formed commission on Challenger disaster.

  • February 4th

    Delivered State of the Union speech regarding the Welfare Plan.

  • February 25th

    United States recognized the Aquino government of the Philippines.

  • February 26th

    Addressed the nation about national security.

  • February 28th

    Packard Commission Report on defense management.

  • March 16th

    Addressed the nation on Nicaragua.

  • April 14th

    Libyan air strike conducted.

  • April 25th

    Nuclear reactor accident at Chernobyl in the Soviet Union.

  • May 2nd

    G7 Summit held in Tokyo, Japan.

  • May 25th

    Participated in Hands Across America Day.

  • June 9th

    Rogers Commission on Challenger disaster received.

  • June 17th

    Supreme Court Justice Warren Burger resigned. William Rehnquist nominated for Chief Justice. Antonin Scalia nominated for Supreme Court Justice.

  • June 24th

    Addressed the nation on aid to Contras.

  • July 3rd

    Participated in Statue of Liberty Centennial Celebration.

  • July 22nd

    Addressed the World Affairs Council on South Africa.

  • September 14th

    Addressed the nation, with Mrs. Reagan, on drugs.

  • September 17th

    William Rehnquist confirmed as Chief Justice of the Supreme Court; Antonin Scalia confirmed as Justice of the Supreme Court.

  • September 22nd

    Addressed the United Nations on arms reduction progress.

  • September 26th

    William Rehnquist and Antonin Scalia sworn in as Chief Justice and Justice of the Supreme Court.

  • October 10-11th

    Reagan-Gorbachev Summit, Reykjavik.

    Reagan proposal to reduce, if not eliminate nuclear weapons stalled on Soviet demand that SDI not leave the laboratory.

  • October 22nd

    Signed Tax Reform Act bill.

  • November 2nd

    Hostage David Jacobsen released from captivity in Beirut, Lebanon.

  • November 4th

    Democrats win control of Senate (55 to 45) in off-year elections.

  • November 6th

    Immigration Reform and Control Act signed.

  • November 13th

    Addressed the nation on Contra aid.

  • November 25th

    Iran-Contra controversy erupted.

  • November 26th

    Tower Commission appointed to study Iran-Contra affair.

  • December 2nd

    Addressed the nation on Iran-Contra affair.

  • December 19th

    Independent Counsel Lawrence E. Walsh selected.

  • December 31st

    Delivered New Year's address to the people of the Soviet Union.

• 1987
  • January 27th

    Delivered State of the Union speech—"I'm Back".

  • January 30th

    Vetoed Water Quality Act.

  • February 6th

    Launched Up From Dependency welfare initiative.

  • February 17th

    Launched Competitiveness Initiative.

  • February 19th

    Economic sanctions against Poland lifted.

  • February 26th

    Tower Commission report received.

  • February 27th

    Don Regan resigned as Chief of Staff, replaced by Howard Baker.

  • March 4th

    Addressed the nation on Iran-Contra controversy.

  • March 27th

    Vetoed Highway Bill.

  • April 3rd

    CONRAIL privatized.

  • April 7th

    Participated in new Q&A with reporters on security breach at the new United States Embassy in Moscow.

  • April 10th

    Addressed the World Affairs Council on possible negotiations breakthrough with the Soviet Union.

  • May 5th

    Launched White House Conference on a Drug Free America.

  • May 17th

    Iraqi missile hits the U.S.S. Stark in the Persian Gulf.

  • May 26th

    William Webster sworn in as Director of the Central Intelligence Agency.

  • May 29th

    Soviet Gulf Policy announced.

  • June 1st

    Signed GI Continuation Act.

  • June 2nd

    Paul Volcker resigned. Alan Greenspan appointed as Chairman of the Federal Reserve Board.

  • June 8-10th

    Economic Summit in Venice, Italy. Tariffs lifted from Japan.

  • June 12th

    Visited Berlin, gave speech at Brandenburg Gate ("Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!").

  • June 26th

    Supreme Court Justice Powell resigned.

  • July 1st

  Robert Bork nominated to be Supreme Court Justice.

  • July 3rd

    Economic Bill of Rights launched.

  • August 5th

    Launched Central American Peace Initiative.

  • August 11th

    Alan Greenspan sworn in as Chairman of the Federal Reserve.

  • August 12th

    Addressed the nation on the Iran-Contra controversy.

  • September 15th

    Signed Nuclear Risk Reduction Center treaty.

  • September 16th

    Held Bicentennial Celebration of the United States Constitution.

  • September 21st

    Addressed the United Nations on the INF agreement and Iran.

  • October 6th

    Senate Committee rejected Robert Bork.

  • October 7th

    Addressed OAS on the Central American Peace Initiative.

  • October 14th

    Addressed the nation on Washington, D.C.

  • October 16th

    Mrs. Reagan underwent surgery for breast cancer.

  • October 19th

    United States forces attack Iranian oil platforms in Persian Gulf.

  • October 23rd

    Senate rejected Robert Bork nomination.

  • October 29th

    Douglas Ginsburg nominated to Supreme Court.

  • October 30th

    United States-Soviet Summit announced.

  • November 2nd

    William Sessions sworn in as head of FBI.

  • November 4th

    Addressed Europe, via WorldNet, on Soviet-U.S. relations.

  • November 7th

    Ginsburg withdrew nomination over marijuana scandal.

  • November 11th

    Anthony Kennedy nominated to Supreme Court.

  • November 24th

    INF Treaty announced in Denver.

  • December 8-10th

    Reagan-Gorbachev Summit in Washington, D.C.

    INF treaty signed.

    Addressed the nation on the Washington Summit.

• 1988
  • January 1st

    Addressed the Soviet Union and Gorbachev addressed the United States.

  • January 2nd

    Signed Canada-United States Free Trade Agreement in Palm Springs, California.

  • January 25th

    Delivered State of the Union speech: "We're not finished yet."

  • February 10th

    Anthony Kennedy sworn in as Supreme Court Justice.

  • February 29th

    White House Conference on a Drug Free America.

  • March 1st

    NATO Summit in Brussels.

  • March 14th

    Institute for Foreign Policy Analysis conference on SDI.

  • March 17th

    United States forces deployed to Honduras.

  • April 18th

    United States forces attack Iranian oil platforms in Persian Gulf.

  • April 21st

    Addressed World Affairs Council on Soviet Union, Afghanistan, and the INF treaty.

  • May 3rd

    Briefing on religious freedom in the Soviet Union.

  • May 11th

    Endorsed the George H. Bush candidacy.

  • May 27th

    Senate approved INF Treaty.

  • May 31st

    Addressed Moscow State University.

  • June 1st

    INF Treaty ratified at Moscow Summit with Gorbachev.

  • June 3rd

    Addressed the Royal Institute of International Affairs in London.

  • June 13th

    Addressed the Atlantic Council in preparation for the G7 Summit.

  • June 19th

    G7 Summit in Toronto, Canada.

  • July 1st

    Signed Medicare Catastrophic Coverage Act.

  • July 3rd

    Iran Air Flight 655 shot down in Persian Gulf by U.S.S. Vincennes.

  • July 9th

    Resignation of Attorney General Edwin Meese III announced.

  • July 12th

    Richard L. Thornburgh nominated to be Attorney General.

  • July 25th

    Free Trade Agreement with Canada sent to Congress.

  • August 2nd

    HIV Action Plan announced.

  • August 3rd

    Vetoed National Defense Authorization Act.

  • August 10th

    Signed Japanese-American Internment Compensation Bill.

  • August 11th

    Signed Disaster Assistance Act.

  • August 12th

    Richard L. Thornburgh sworn in as Attorney General.

  • August 15th

    Delivered farewell address at Republican National Convention.

  • August 23rd

    Signed the Trade & Competitiveness Act.

  • September 13th

    Signed Fair Housing Act Amendments.

  • September 26th

    Addressed United Nations on disarmament.

  • September 28th

    Signed U.S.-Canada Free Trade Agreement. First stage of envisioned North-American Free Trade Agreement.

  • October 5th

    Conducted cornerstone laying ceremony for Holocaust Memorial Museum.

  • October 13th

    Family Support Act signed.

  • October 25th

    Signed the Department of Veteran Affairs Act.

  • November 18th

    Signed Anti-Drug Abuse Act.

  • November 21st

    Groundbreaking ceremony held at Reagan Presidential Library site.

  • December 7th

    Mini-summit in New York with Gorbachev.

    Addressed American Enterprise Institute.

  • December 8th

    Final press conference as President.

  • December 13th

    Addressed administrative officials on domestic policy.

  • December 14th

    Ban on talking with PLO dropped.

  • December 16th

    Addressed University of Virginia on foreign policy.

• 1989
  • January 1st

    Addressed Soviet Union. Gorbachev addressed United States.

  • January 11th

    Gave Farewell Address to the nation.

  • January 20th

    Left the White House and returned to California.

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