Brief Overview

On January 20, 1981, Ronald Wilson Reagan became the 40th President of the United States. He championed “a great new beginning” for America – one grounded upon our Founding Principles, unlimited by burdensome government, and sustained by the belief, that no matter how arduous or complex the challenge, America’s best days always lie ahead. When inaugurated 25 years ago, few doubted his political beliefs and personal optimism. Many questioned his ability. Yet, eight years later, his Presidency, that sought to change a nation, had changed a world. And, a quarter century later, the depth of his acknowledge and the clarity of his vision are continually unfolding. Throughout 2006, in selected programs and writings, The Heritage Foundation will reflect on the historic inaugural year of the Reagan Administration and the revolution in American politics that ushered in “The Age of Reagan.”


Significant Presidential Speeches, Executive Actions, & Historic Events from 1981

January
20 Inauguration Day
Release of American Hostages from Iran
22 Establishment of Presidential Task Force on Regulatory Relief
29 First Presidential Press Conference
February
5 Address to the Nation on the Economy
18 Address to the Congress on the Program for Economic Recovery
26 Formation of the Cabinet Councils
March
10-11 Presidential Visit to Canada (Prime Minister Pierre Elliott Trudeau)
20 Speech to the Conservative Political Action Conference
26 Signing of Executive Order 12301 establishing the Presidential Council on Integrity and Efficiency
30 Assassination Attempt at Washington Hilton Hotel, Washington, DC
April
11 Release from George Washington University Hospital
12-14 Inaugural Flight of Space Shuttle Columbia
28 Address Before a Joint Session of the Congress on Program for Economic Recovery
May
7-8 Visit of Prime Minister Zenko Suzuki of Japan
13 Attempted Assassination of Pope John Paul II
17 Address at Commencement Exercises at the University of Notre Dame
21-22 Visit of Chancellor Helmut Schmidt of the Federal Republic of Germany
2 Address at Commencement Exercises at the United States Military Academy
June
8-9 Visit of President Jose Lopez Portillo of Mexico
29 Remarks in Denver, Colorado, at the Annual Convention of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People
30 Visit of President and Prime Minister J. Malcolm Fraser of Australia
July
7 Announcement of the Intention to Nominate Sandra Day O’Connor to Be an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States
19-21 Ottawa Economic Summit Conference (Summit of Industrialized Nations)
27 Address to the Nation on Federal Tax Reduction Legislation
August
3 Firing of Illegally Striking Air Traffic Controllers
5 Passage of Federal Budget Reconciliation and Tax Reduction Legislation
5-6 Visit of President Anwar el-Sadat of Egypt
13 Signing of the Economic Recovery Tax Act of 1981 and the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1981
13 Statement on the 20th Anniversary of the Berlin Wall
September
9-10 Visit of Prime Minister Menahem Begin of Israel
24 Address to the Nation on Economic Recovery and Social Security
25 Sandra Day O’Connor Sworn In as Association Justice of the Supreme Court
29 World Bank and IMF Address on Free Enterprise, Not Aid
October
2 Announcement of the United States Strategic Weapons Program
5 Voluntarism Initiative launched
6 Assassination of President Anwar el-Sadat of Egypt
7 50 States Project for Women launched
13-14 Visit of King Juan Carlos I of Spain
15 World Affairs Council Speech on Third World and Free Enterprise
18-19 200th Anniversary of American Victory at Yorktown
21-24 Cancun Summit on International Cooperation and Development
November
3 Visit of King Hussein I of Jordan
10 David Stockman’s Atlantic Monthly article on Reaganomics released
17-18 Visit of President Luis Herrera Campins of Venezuela
18 Arms Reduction and Nuclear Weapons Speech to the National Press Club
23 First Veto – Continuing Resolution for Fiscal Year 1982 Appropriations
December
1 White House Conference on Aging
2 44 Members appointed to the President’s Task Force on Private Sector Initiatives
15 Signing Continuing Resolution for Fiscal Year 1982 Appropriations ($49 Billion reduction)
16 National Commission on Social Security Reform established
22 Meeting with Defected Polish Ambassador Spasowski
23 Address to the Nation on the Situation in Poland