Ronald Reagan
1
On Tuesday, January 20, 1981, on the steps of the United States Capitol, Chief Justice Warren Burger swore in Ronald Wilson Reagan as the 40th president of the United States.
He would go on to serve two terms as one of the most popular, and some argue, the greatest president of the 20th century. As president, Ronald Reagan’s accomplishments include the restoration of the American economy, the rebuilding of our military and the end of the Cold War, while at the same time, renewing pride and spirit to America. In fact, Reagan wanted to be remembered as “the man who made Americans believe in themselves again.”
However, not all of Ronald Reagan’s presidency was positive. He had many critics, both democrat and republican; just 69 days into his first term he survived an assassination attempt as he was leaving a speaking engagement at the Washington Hilton Hotel in Washington, D.C.; the Iran-Contra scandal also left a black mark on his presidency.
Still, Ronald Reagan left office with a 70% approval rating, and was admired and respected even by his political opponents.
How did this ordinary man, this self-proclaimed, “citizen politician” from Illinois come to be one of the most beloved presidents of all time? This is the question I would like to explore in greater detail.
2
Here are the four most important things that I think Ronald Reagan stood for or accomplished during his eight years as president of the United States of America and throughout his entire life as an American citizen.
These things consist of, his love for America and its people, his Faith that guided him through many hard times, his ability to communicate with the world and his optimism for the future. No one would have thought this modest, caring, passionate man would have become, arguably one of the nation’s greatest presidents that has ever led this country.
FAITH
Ronald Reagan had faith, he believed in our country, he believed in God, and he believed in himself. His...
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