Timeline of the Ronald Reagan presidency
The presidency of Ronald Reagan began on January 20, 1981, when Ronald Reagan was inaugurated as the 40th president of the United States, and ended on January 20, 1989.
January 20 – Ronald Reagan's presidency begins with his at the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C.; the oath of office is administered by Chief Justice Warren E. Burger.[1] The Iran hostage crisis ends minutes after the swearing-in with the release of the 52 Americans held hostage for the past 444 days.[2] Reagan is notified of the release in his first presidential national security briefing and announces the release during a luncheon following his inauguration on Capitol Hill.[3] Reagan, in his first official act as President and less than an hour after being sworn in, imposes a hiring freeze. President Reagan says that the freeze will inevitably lead to the reduction of a notable quantity in the federal work force, and that he will permit rare exemptions when vital to maintaining services.[4]
inauguration
January 21 – The cabinet of the Reagan administration meets for the first time officially. During the meeting, President Reagan declares that his priorities will be the reduction of the government's size, and controlling the federal budget. President Reagan attends the swearing-in of 39 senior White House aides; President Reagan tells the aides to make decisions with the intent of what is good for Americans instead of what may land another position for them. President Reagan speaks with former President , ahead of the latter arriving in West Germany.[5] Reagan administration officials state there will be several days' worth of examinations made on the negotiations of the Iran hostage crisis.[6]
Jimmy Carter
January 22 – President Reagan releases a memo to federal government and agency heads ordering a travel reduction by 15%, an outside professional services cut by 5%, and a furniture and other equipment purchase moratorium. Alexander Haig is sworn in as the 59th United States Secretary of State.[8]
[7]
January 25 – President Reagan spends an hour meeting with families of hostages in the Iran hostage crisis, not permitting television or radio coverage. Reagan addresses the families and denies he will be attending the reunion of the hostages and their family members: "You don't need any outsiders. This is a moment for you and them."
[9]
January 28 – Secretary of Energy Edwards tells reporters that he doubts the prices of gas will be increased much by the immediate deconstruction, though concedes prices could increase by 3 to 5 cents per gallon.
[10]
January 29 – President Reagan holds his first presidential press conference, during which he critiques the as having leaders that "reserve the right to commit any crime, to lie, to cheat" in a sought revolution.[11]
Soviet Union
January 30 – The White House announces that President Reagan has placed the entirety of his assets barring his two homes into a blind trust for the purpose of avoiding financial compensation for his choices during his tenure in office. Though State Department official William J. Dyess does not confirm the existence of a letter by Secretary of State Haig warning the Soviet Union intervention in Poland could strain its relations with the US, another official validates.[13]
[12]
February 1 – James Baker says the Reagan administration inherited the worst economy in 50 years, that it will be the number one "priority of the administration" and that President Reagan will explain the economy in a televised speech in four days during an appearance on Face the Nation.[14] The Soviet press accuse President Reagan of a "lies and hypocrisy" campaign regarding terrorist support from Kremlin.[15]
White House Chief of Staff
February 2 – President Reagan is interviewed by five publications in the Oval Office, asserting the Carter administration was wrong for negotiating with Iran during the hostage crisis. Sources report President Reagan is considering 1982's fiscal year having a budget cut of between 30 and 40 million.[17]
[16]
February 3 – is confirmed as United States Secretary of Labor.[18] Secretary of Defense Weinberger holds the first news conference at the Pentagon since taking office, stating his consideration of the deployment of the nuclear warhead.[19]
Raymond Donovan
February 4 – President Reagan announces the nomination of Seeley Lodwick to be Under Secretary of Agriculture for International Affairs and Commodity Program and the appointments of Stephen M. Studdert as Special Assistant to the President and Director of the Advance Office and Robert B. Carleson as Special Assistant to the President for Policy Development.
[20]
February 5 – President Reagan has a televised address, saying in part that the US is in risk of "economic calamity" that can only be prevented with Congress adopting the administration's tax and spending cuts as well as regulatory reform.
[21]
February 6 – The Senate approves a bill by President Reagan giving federal borrowing a raise by US$985 billion.
[22]
February 7 – President Reagan issues a memorandum on the budget for the 1982 fiscal year.
[23]
February 9 – Secretary of Transportation Lewis chooses to seek a one-year postponing of the passenger restraint rule.
[24]
February 10 – Department of Justice officials detail policies that will be implemented with the passing of a legislative proposal including a tighter bail law, forming new ways to help crime victims, and federal jurisdictions being developed over crimes that are traditionally handled by authorities of the state.
[25]
February 11 – Chief State Department spokesman William Dyess reports that the Reagan administration is "deeply concerned" with news that Israel wanting to make new settlements by closing off land on the West Bank. White House officials say the Reagan administration is composing a proposal shifting states to being responsible for the majority of funding for welfare, housing, healthcare, and food programs instead of the federal government.[27]
[26]
February 18 – President Reagan before a joint session of the members of Congress outlining his administration goals.
delivers an address
February 23 – President Reagan nominates Emanuel S. Savas for Assistant Secretary of Housing and Urban Development.
[28]
February 24 – President Reagan reports the response to the economic program of the administration has been "enormously endearing" and answers questions during a White House briefing. President Reagan sends a message to Congress calling for their adherence to the Fishery Conservation and Management Act of 1976 and the agreement between the US and Norway on international fishery.[30]
[29]
February 26 – President Reagan sends a letter to Administrator of Veteran Affairs in acceptance of the latter's resignation.[31]
Max Cleland
February 27 – President Reagan announces his appointment of Wendy H. Borcherdt for Associate Director of Presidential Personnel.
[32]
February 28 – President Reagan nominates Gerald P. Carmen for Administrator of General Services.
[33]
March 3 – President Reagan announces he does not believe there will be a need to send American troops into El Salvador and vows the continued pursuit of diplomacy to ensure the US does not stop involvement and allow "this hemisphere to be invaded by outside forces."
[34]
March 5 – President Reagan says the federal government will contribute US$1 million to in response to the 21 black children that either disappeared or were murdered.[35] The House Budget Committee charges President Reagan with having overlooked misused dollars numbering in the billions that need to be eliminated ahead of Congress doing so to programs that are of worth.[36]
Atlanta
March 6 – President Reagan announces his intent for a federal payroll reduction of 63,000 employees by the end of 1983.
[37]
March 9 – President Reagan signs a budget cut package in the Rose Garden of the White House. The package includes 300 federal programs to reduce government spending by US$6.4 billion and the fiscal year 1982's spending by US$48.6 billion.
[38]
March 17 – President Reagan speaks at the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture Dinner.
[43]
March 18 – Secretary of State Haig says Central America is in the process of being aimed for takeover by the world communist movement.
[44]
March 19 – Reagan administration sources report will send a "mild signal" requesting Japan voluntarily do away with their automobile exports.
[45]
March 20 – President Reagan gives a speech at the Dinner in the Grand Ballroom at the Mayflower Hotel in the evening hours.[46]
Conservative Political Action Conference
March 21 – President Reagan speaks briefly at the East Room Reception for Performers in and Sponsors of the Ford's Theatre Benefit Gala in the afternoon.
[47]
March 23 – President Reagan sends a message to Congress in regards to the impact of new military facilities in communities.
[48]
March 24 – Press Secretary reports that President Reagan has chosen to have Vice President George H.W. Bush chair the crisis management team of the administration.[49]
James Brady
March 27 – Secretary of State Haig says there is a "very dangerous" situation in Poland, predicting the weekend may be important, and that the US is considering giving further aid to Poland during a breakfast with reporters.
[51]
March 28 – President Reagan announces the nominations of Antonio Monroig for Assistant Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, William A. Niskanen Jr. for membership on the Council of Economic Advisers, James G. Watt for Chairman of the Water Resources Council, and Alex Kozinski for Special Counsel of the Merit Systems Protection Board.
[52]
March 29 – Secretary of State Haig says that he is optimistic that Poland will avoid a major crisis due to moderate influence but notes "the situation is still very, very tense."
[53]
March 30 –
Attempted assassination of Ronald Reagan
March 31 – President Reagan resumes his official duties. He meets with Vice President Bush and three top aides from the White House. During breakfast, Reagan signs a bill supporting dairy-price. Vice President Bush says to reporters that he has briefly met with President Reagan and reports the latter's condition as "very well."[55]
[54]
April 1 – In response to the assassination attempt, the approves a bill outlawing handguns being sold or possessed, with offenders of the law being eligible to six years of prison if convicted.[56]
Illinois State Senate
April 2 – Secretary of Defense Weinberger says steps being taken by the US are the direct result of the Soviet Union taking steps to increase the chances of its Poland invasion.
[57]
April 3 – President Reagan has his temperature increase to 102 degrees before dropping to an almost normal degree. Benjamin Aaron describes it as a setback though a regular continuation of his injuries from the assassination attempt.
[58]
April 4 – Egyptian and Western sources say Secretary of State Haig has told his Egyptian hosts that he could have prematurely ceased his Mideast trip due to Poland having increased in tension.
[59]
April 5 – President Reagan meets with . President Reagan is reported to have run an intermittent temperature during the day and in his injured lung, doctors are said to have found particle traces.[60]
Vernon Jordan
April 7 – The House Budget Committee rejects the Reagan administration's budget proposal in favor of an alternative by Democrats with less spending on defense and more on social programs. Vice President Bush says the administration is prepared to "have some battles on the House side".
[61]
April 8 – Secretary of State Haig says Kremlin will gain "troubled waters in which to fish" should there be no peace agreement between Arabs and Israelis. Dr. Dennis O'Leary says that President Reagan will likely return to the White House in two days and will have fully recovered "within four months."[63]
[62]
April 10 – Dr. O'Leary says that President Reagan will be released from Washington University Hospital during the weekend. Press Secretary Brady is reported to possibly suffer no permanent disabilities and eventually return to work amid problems on the left side of his body.[66]
[65]
April 11 – President Reagan is released from Washington University Hospital.
[67]
April 13 – Secretary of State Haig awards the Valor Award of the State Department to 54 former American Iran hostages.
[68]
April 14 – Deputy White House press secretary Larry Speakes says members of the Reagan administration hope to have conversations with Senators , Steven Symms, and Charles Grassley, the three Republican senators that voted against the budget blueprint by President Reagan.[69]
William Armstrong
April 15 – President Reagan issues his first presidential pardons toward and Edward S. Millar.[70]
W. Mark Felt
April 16 – President Reagan promises to protect whistleblowers of the ongoing instances of fraud and waste in the federal bureaucracy.
[71]
April 23 – President Reagan orders US$25 billion be collected from individuals who owe the government and have yet to pay via an executive order issuing the involvement of each department in constructing a plan to obtains the funds and holding a person accountable for the program.
[72]
January 5 – President Reagan announces his nomination of Hugh W. Foster for Alternate Executive Director of the Inter-American Development Bank, and Harold J. Buoy for membership of the National Productivity Advisory Committee. President Reagan meets with Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany Helmut Schmidt in the Oval Office at the White House. The two country leaders attend a luncheon together, and after Chancellor Schmidit departs, President Reagan delivers remarks on the White House's South Portico.[231]
[230]
January 7 – President Reagan releases a statement on the Registration Program continuation under the .[232]
Military Selective Service Act
January 26 – President Reagan delivers the to a joint session of Congress.
1982 State of the Union Address
May 31 – President Reagan announces open negotiations between the US and Soviet Union in on June 29.[233]
Geneva
June 8 – President Reagan gives his "" speech to the U.K. House of Commons.[234]
Ash heap of history
June 11 – President Reagan visits for three hours, calling on the Soviet Union to move toward a freer society.[235] Demonstrators number the thousands, holding signs calling the president a fascist, imploring him to return home, and calling for his assassination, the protest continuing even after the president left.[236]
West Berlin
September 3 – President Reagan signs the .
Tax Equity and Fiscal Responsibility Act of 1982
October 13 – President Reagan signs the .
Job Training Partnership Act of 1982
October 15 – President Reagan signs the .
Garn–St. Germain Depository Institutions Act
January 7 – President Reagan signs the .
Nuclear Waste Policy Act
January 25 – President Reagan delivers the to a joint session of Congress.
1983 State of the Union Address
March 8 – President Reagan gives his "" speech to the National Association of Evangelicals in Orlando, Florida.
Evil empire
March 23 – President Reagan publicly announces the , popularly known as "Star Wars".
Strategic Defense Initiative
April 20 – President Reagan signs the .
Social Security Amendments of 1983
October 25 – The begins, lasting until December 15.
Invasion of Grenada
January 25 – President Reagan delivers the to a joint session of Congress.
1984 State of the Union Address
July 17 – President Reagan signs the .
National Minimum Drinking Age Act
July 18 – President Reagan signs the .
Deficit Reduction Act of 1984
July 28 - President Reagan declared open the in Los Angeles.
1984 Summer Olympics
September 28 – President Reagan signs the .
Voting Accessibility for the Elderly and Handicapped Act
October 30 – President Reagan signs the .
Cable Communications Policy Act of 1984
October 30 – President Reagan signs the .
Trade and Tariff Act of 1984
November 6 – President Reagan against former Vice President Walter Mondale from Minnesota, the Democratic presidential nominee.
wins re-election
January 7 – In a , the results for the electoral college are counted. In his roles as President of the Senate, Vice President George H. W. Bush reads the results and declares President Reagan as the winner of the 1984 presidential election.
joint session of the United States Congress
January 20 – Ronald Reagan is sworn into his second term as President of the United States by Chief Justice Warren E. Burger at the White House.
Supreme Court
January 21 – The President, Vice President, and other senior government officials participate in ceremonies related to the .
second inauguration of Ronald Reagan
February 6 – President Reagan delivers the to a joint session of Congress.
1985 State of the Union Address
March 1 – During a speech to the , Reagan referred to the rebels of the Nicaraguan Government as a "moral equal of our Founding Fathers."[241]
Conservative Political Action Conference
April 19 – The White House announces President Reagan will be visiting the site. Chairman of the United States Holocaust Memorial Council Elie Wiesel calls on President Reagan, during a meeting in the Roosevelt Room, to not visit a cemetery where Nazis were buried and cited the president's place as with their victims.[242]
Bergen-Belsen concentration camp
May 5 – President Reagan attends a ceremony in regards to 2,000 German soldiers in with Chancellor Helmut Kohl.[243]
West Germany
June 4 – President Reagan meets with Senator from Utah and six of his colleagues from the fourth flight of Space Shuttle Discovery.[244]
Jake Garn
July 13 – President Reagan undergoes a at Bethesda Naval Hospital. Vice President Bush serves as acting president for approximately eight hours, under section 3 of the 25th Amendment.
colon cancer surgery
November 19–20 – President Reagan attends the .
Geneva Summit
December 12 – President Reagan signs the .
Gramm–Rudman–Hollings Balanced Budget Act
January 28 – President Reagan addresses the nation concerning the .
Space Shuttle Challenger disaster
February 4 – President Reagan delivers the to a joint session of Congress, which he postponed due to the Challenger disaster.
1986 State of the Union Address
April 7 – President Reagan signs the .
Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985
April 15 – .
1986 United States bombing of Libya
May 19 – President Reagan signs the .
Firearm Owners Protection Act
June 6 – President Reagan creates the .
Federal Employees Retirement System
June 20 – President Reagan nominates as Chief Justice of the Supreme Court.
William Rehnquist
June 24 – President Reagan nominates to the Supreme Court.
Antonin Scalia
September 17 – The Senate confirms as an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court in a vote of 98–0.
Antonin Scalia
September 17 – The Senate confirms as a Chief Justice of the Supreme Court in a vote of 65–33.
William Rehnquist
September 26 – President Reagan vetoes the .
Comprehensive Anti-Apartheid Act
October 1 – President Reagan signs the .
Goldwater–Nichols Act
October 2 – Congress overrides President Reagan's veto of the Comprehensive Anti-Apartheid Act; it becomes law this day.
October 11–12 – President Reagan attends the .
Reykjavík Summit
October 22 – President Reagan signs the .
Surface Freight Forwarder Deregulation Act of 1986
October 26 – President Reagan signs the .
Tax Reform Act of 1986
November 3 – The is first publicly revealed by a Lebanese magazine, due to a leak from Iranian official Mehdi Hashemi.
Iran–Contra affair
November 6 – President Reagan signs the .
Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986
November 25 – Edwin Meese admits that profits from weapons sales to Iran were made available to assist the Contra rebels in Nicaragua. National Security Advisor John Poindexter resigns, and President Reagan fires National Security Council staff member Oliver North for his involvement in the affair.
U.S. Attorney General
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