1920
The Reagan's moved to a succession of rural
northern Illinois towns until they settled in
Dixon, Illinois, the place Reagan considers his
hometown
1926
Beginning in 1926, Reagan was employed as a
lifeguard at Lowell Park in Dixon. He was
credited with saving 77 lives during
the 7 summers he worked there.
1928
Reagan graduated from Dixon High School. He
served as student body president and participated
in football, basketball, track, and school plays.
1928-1932
Reagan attended Eureka (Illinois) College, a small
liberal arts institution, and majored in economics
and sociology. During his sophomore year, Reagan
became interested in drama. Reagan also served as
student body president.
Franklin Delano Roosevelt's populist rhetoric
attracted Reagan to him and later influenced
Reagan's speaking style.
1932
Reagan received a temporary sports broadcasting
job with WOC, a small radio station in Davenport,
Iowa. After WOC consolidated with WHO in Des
Moines, "Dutch" recreated Chicago Cubs baseball
games from the studio. WHO, an NBC affiliate,
gave Reagan natlonal media exposure.
1937
Reagan enlisted in the Army Reserve as a Private
but was soon promoted to 2nd Lieutenant in the
Officers Reserve Corps of the Cavalry.
An agent for Warner Brothers "discovered" Reagan
in Los Angeles and offered him a seven year
contract. Reagan played George Gipp in his most
acclaimed film, Knute Rockne -- All American
(l940).
Jan 24, 1940
Reagan and Jane Wyman married. They met while making the movie,
"Brother Rat."
Jan 04 1941
Maureen was born
1942
The Army Air Force called Reagan to active duty and assigned Lieutenant
Reagan to the 1st Motion Picture Unit in Culver City, California, where
he made over 400 training films.
Jul 22 1943
The Army promoted Reagan to the rank of Captain
Dec 09 1945
The Army discharged Captain Reagan.
1945 - 1965
Reagan resumed his acting career after the war. Reagan made fifty-three motion pictures and one
television movie.
Mar 18 1945
Michael was born.
1948
Reagan supported Harry Truman for President
1949
Reagan and Wyman divorced.
1950
Reagan campaigned for Helen Gahagan Douglas for the Senate.
1952
Reagan campaigned as a Democrat for Eisenhower. Reagan accepted a job
as spokesman for the General Electric Company which allowed him to tour
the country giving speeches.
Mar 4 1952
Reagan and Nancy Davis wed.
Oct 21 1952
Patricia was born.
1956
Reagan campaigned as a Democrat for Eisenhower.
May 20 1958
Ronald Prescott was born.
1960
Reagan campaigned for Richard Nixon for President.
1962
Reagan officially changed his party registration to Republican.
1964
Reagan's television address for Goldwater, "A Time for Choosing,"
launched his political career. A group of California businessmen soon
afterward supported Reagan's candidacy for Governor.
1965
Reagan's autobiography, Where's the Rest of Me? is published.
1966
Reagan defeated incumbent governor Edmund G. ("Pat") Brown in a
landslide. His success in the election and as governor made him a
leading contender for the Republican Presidential nomination in
1968.
1968
Reagan made a tentative run for the presidency, waiting until the
Republican National Convention to announce his candidacy. He later
joined in unanimously supporting Richard Nixon.
1970
Reagan is re-elected governor.
1974
For several months after his gubernatorial term ended, Reagan wrote a
syndicated newspaper column and provided commentaries on radio stations
across the country.
Nov 20, 1975
Reagan announced candidacy for the Republican nomination for president.
He lost the party's nomination, but his strong showing laid the
groundwork for the election in 1980.
Nov 13, 1979
Reagan announced his candidacy for President. After winning the
party's nomination, he chose George Bush as his running mate. The
platform called for "a new consensus with all those across the land
who share a community of values embodied in these words: family, work,
neighborhood, peace, and freedom."
Nov 4 1980
Reagan was elected the 40th President of the United States in a
landslide victory over the incumbent, Jimmy Carter.