RONALD WILSON REAGAN CENTENARY
The 40th President of the United States, Ronald Wilson Reagan, would have been 100 years old today. He was born in Tampico, Illinois on February 6, 1911.
Having defeated Jimmy Carter in the Election of 1980, Ronald Reagan was sworn in as President on January 20, 1981. Surviving an assassination attempt early in his 1st term, Reagan was re-elected in 1984 and despite being the "oldest President", he completed two terms of office.
President Reagan helped restore national pride & one of his greatest speeches came at the Berlin Wall where he said:
"Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall."
Reagan graduated from Eureka University & began a career in sports radio broadcasting.
He entered the motion picture industry when he was signed to a 7 year contract with Warner Brothers in 1937. He would go on to appear in 50 films in his career & serve as president of the Screen Actors Guild.
Divorced from his 1st wife, Jane Wyman, he married actress Nancy Davis in 1952. She would become & remain his closest "confidante".
President Reagan died at the age of 93 on June 5, 2004.
February 6, 1985
REAGAN DOCTRINE IS ANNOUNCED TODAY!
President Ronald Reagan said today:
"Freedom is not the sole prerogative of a chosen few; it is the universal right of all God's children."
The President also said:
"We must stand by our democratic allies. Support for freedom fighters is self-defense."*
*Critics will say the Reagan Doctrine prolonged & escalated conflicts & sometimes sanctioned repressive governments.
February 6, 1960
JFK SPEAKS TO DEMOCRATS
John F. Kennedy, Massachusetts senator & Presidential candidate, spoke today at the Stutsman County Democratic Dinner in Jamestown, North Dakota.
Senator Kennedy was critical of President Eisenhower's farm program for 1960. He said the program will lower farm prices & that it ignores the plight of the corn farmer who is "already suffering".
February 6, 1966
PRESIDENT JOHNSON MEETS KY IN HONOLULU
LBJ met with South Vietnamese premier Nguyen Cao Ky in Honolulu, Hawaii today.
The two leaders issued a joint declaration in which the United States government promises continued aid to South Vietnam in fighting against communist aggression.
The US will also help develop the South Vietnamese economy & to establish the principle of self-determination.
February 6, 1778
FRANCE & UNITED STATES SIGN ALLIANCE TREATIES
Representatives of France and the United States signed the Treaty of Amity & Commerce and the Treaty of Alliance today in Paris.
In the 1st treaty, France will recognize the independence of the United States of America. It also encourages trade between the two nations.
The 2nd treaty provides for military support to the United States in its' "war for independence" with Great Britain.*
*The treaties will be ratified by the Continental Congress in May 1778.
February 6, 1952
KING GEORGE VI DIES IN HIS SLEEP
George VI, King of Great Britain & Northern Ireland, died today in his sleep at the royal estate at Sandringham.
Princess Elizabeth, who is in Kenya, will become Queen.
Elizabeth, who is married to Philip Mountbatten, was born on April 21, 1926. She & Prince Philip have 4 children. Their oldest, Charles, was born in 1948.*
*Queen Elizabeth II will be crowned on January 2, 1953 at the age of 27.
