Career Timeline of Ronald Reagan: Major Achievements and Milestones

Discover the career path of Ronald Reagan, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.

Ronald Reagan, the 40th U.S. President (1981-1989), was a key figure in the American conservative movement and the Republican Party. His presidency, known as the Reagan era, saw significant policy changes and a shift in political landscape.

Sections (7)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals Legacy & Impact

1932: Becomes a Sports Broadcaster

In 1932, Ronald Reagan became a sports broadcaster in Iowa after graduating from Eureka College.

1936: Signs Contract with Warner Bros.

In 1936, while traveling with the Chicago Cubs, Reagan took a screen test and signed a seven-year contract with Warner Bros.

1937: Debut in "Love Is on the Air"

In 1937, Ronald Reagan debuted in "Love Is on the Air".

Loading Video...

1937: Move to California

In 1937, Ronald Reagan moved to California to become a film actor.

1938: Acts in Brother Rat

In 1938, Reagan acted with Jane Wyman in the film "Brother Rat".

Loading Video...

1940: Portrays George Gipp in "Knute Rockne, All American"

In 1940, Ronald Reagan portrayed George Gipp in "Knute Rockne, All American".

Loading Video...

1945: HICCASP Anti-Nuclear Rally

In 1945, Reagan planned to lead an anti-nuclear rally with the Hollywood Independent Citizens Committee of the Arts, Sciences and Professions (HICCASP), but Warner Bros. prevented him from participating.

1946: Operation Terror Radio Program

In 1946, Reagan appeared in a radio program called Operation Terror, where he spoke out against the rising activity of the Ku Klux Klan, denouncing it as a systematic campaign of fascist violence, intimidation, and horror.

March 10, 1947: Elected SAG President

On March 10, 1947, Ronald Reagan was elected president of the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) in a special election.

1947: First Term as SAG President

In 1947, Ronald Reagan began his first term as president of the Screen Actors Guild.

1948: Support for Harry S. Truman

In 1948, Reagan supported Harry S. Truman in the presidential election, showing his alignment with the Democratic Party at the time.

1948: Fought with film producers

In 1948, the SAG fought with film producers for the right to receive residual payments.

1950: Support for Helen Gahagan Douglas

In 1950, Reagan supported Helen Gahagan Douglas for the U.S. Senate, continuing his involvement in political endorsements within the Democratic Party.

November 10, 1952: Resigns as SAG President

On November 10, 1952, Ronald Reagan resigned as president of the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) but remained on the board.

1952: Support for Dwight D. Eisenhower

In 1952, Reagan began to shift to the right by supporting Dwight D. Eisenhower's presidential campaign.

1952: Ends Relationship with Warner Bros.

In 1952, Ronald Reagan ended his relationship with Warner Bros. and started making films with other studios as a freelancer.

1952: End of First Term as SAG President

In 1952, Ronald Reagan's first term as president of the Screen Actors Guild concluded.

November 16, 1959: Elected SAG President for Second Term

On November 16, 1959, Ronald Reagan was elected as president of the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) for a second time.

1959: Second Term as SAG President

In 1959, Ronald Reagan began his second term as president of the Screen Actors Guild.

June 7, 1960: Resigns from SAG Presidency

On June 7, 1960, Ronald Reagan resigned from the SAG presidency and left the board.

1960: Support for Richard Nixon

In 1960, Reagan supported the presidential campaign of Richard Nixon, continuing his shift towards the Republican party.

1960: Resigns from SAG Presidency

In 1960, Ronald Reagan resigned from his position as SAG president and left the board.

1961: Criticism of Medicare

In 1961, Reagan adapted his General Electric speeches to criticize Medicare, viewing its legislation as a threat to individual freedom in the United States.

1962: Registered as a Republican

In 1962, after being dropped by General Electric, Reagan formally registered as a Republican, marking a significant change in his political affiliation.

1962: Cancellation of General Electric Theater

In 1962, the television show General Electric Theater, hosted by Ronald Reagan, was canceled due to declining viewership.

Loading Video...

1964: "A Time for Choosing" Speech

In 1964, Reagan delivered his "A Time for Choosing" speech, which marked his rise as a conservative figure.

1964: Appears in "The Killers"

In 1964, Ronald Reagan appeared in his last film, "The Killers".

Loading Video...

1965: Host of Death Valley Days

In 1965, Ronald Reagan became the host of "Death Valley Days".

Loading Video...

January 1966: Candidacy for California Governorship Announced

In January 1966, Reagan announced his candidacy for the California governorship, reiterating his stances on individual freedom and limited government.

1966: Elected Governor of California

In 1966, Ronald Reagan was elected governor of California.

1967: Mulford Act and Therapeutic Abortion Act

In 1967, Reagan signed the Mulford Act, restricting public carrying of firearms, and the Therapeutic Abortion Act, allowing abortions in cases of rape, incest, or when the mother's health was at risk. He later expressed regret over the abortion act.

1968: Republican Presidential Primary Run

After Reagan won the 1966 election, he and his advisors planned a run in the 1968 Republican presidential primaries. He ran as an unofficial candidate to cut into Nixon's southern support and be a compromise candidate if there were to be a brokered convention. He won California's delegates, but Nixon secured enough delegates for the nomination.

February 5, 1969: State of Emergency Declared at UC Berkeley

On February 5, 1969, Reagan declared a state of emergency in response to protests and violence at the University of California, Berkeley, and sent in the California Highway Patrol to restore order.

May 1969: Clash at People's Park

In May 1969, California Highway Patrol officers, along with local police, clashed with protesters over People's Park in Berkeley. One student was killed, and many officers and reporters were injured. Reagan sent the National Guard to occupy Berkeley.

February 1970: National Guard Deployed to UC Santa Barbara

In February 1970, Reagan deployed the National Guard to the University of California, Santa Barbara, in response to violent protests near the campus.

1970: Gubernatorial Election and Tax Policies

During his victorious reelection campaign in 1970, Reagan called for reduced government spending and tax hikes to balance the budget. He worked with Jesse M. Unruh on securing tax increases and promising future property tax cuts. Unruh then used Reagan's tax policy against him, saying it disproportionally favored the wealthy.

1970: Reelection Campaign and Welfare Reform

During his victorious reelection campaign in 1970, Reagan, remaining critical of government, promised to prioritize welfare reform.

1971: Welfare Experiment

In 1971 Reagan and Bob Moretti tightened up the eligibility requirements so that the financially needy could continue receiving payments, resulting in the welfare experiment running from 1971 to 1974.

1972: Potential Tax Hike

In 1972, Reagan was concerned that the programs were disincentivizing work and that the growing welfare rolls would lead to both an unbalanced budget and another big tax hike

1972: People v. Anderson

In 1972, Reagan's efforts to enforce capital punishment were thwarted by People v. Anderson

1973: Budget Surplus and Tax Relief

By 1973, the California state budget under Reagan's governorship had a surplus, which he preferred "to give back to the people" through tax relief.

1974: Welfare Experiment

In 1974 Reagan and Bob Moretti tightened up the eligibility requirements so that the financially needy could continue receiving payments, resulting in the welfare experiment running from 1971 to 1974.

1974: Declined Governorship Run

In 1974, Reagan declined to run for the governorship.

November 20, 1975: Presidential Campaign Announcement

On November 20, 1975, Reagan announced his campaign for president, discussing economic and social problems, and to a lesser extent, foreign affairs.

1976: Loss in Republican Primaries

In 1976, Ronald Reagan lost to Gerald Ford in the Republican Party presidential primaries.

1976: Kansas City convention

In 1976, at the Kansas City convention, neither candidate reached the 1,130 delegates required for their party's nomination before Ford replacing mentions of détente with Reagan's preferred phrase, "peace through strength".

1976: Employment Development Department Report

In 1976, the Employment Development Department published a report suggesting that the welfare experiment that ran from 1971 to 1974 was unsuccessful.

1977: Ford's Loss to Carter

In 1977, Ford told Cannon that Reagan's primary challenge contributed to his own narrow loss to Democrat Jimmy Carter in the 1976 presidential election.

1977: Critic of President Carter

In 1977, Reagan emerged as a vocal critic of President Carter, opposing the Panama Canal Treaty.

November 4, 1979: Iran Hostage Crisis

The Iran hostage crisis began on November 4, 1979. The general election pitted Reagan against Carter amid the multitude of domestic concerns and ongoing Iran hostage crisis.

November 13, 1979: Announcement of 1980 Presidential Campaign

On November 13, 1979, Reagan announced his 1980 presidential campaign, criticizing the federal government and stressing tax cuts, small government, and a strong national defense.

November 4, 1980: Reagan wins presidential election

On November 4, 1980, Ronald Reagan decisively defeated Jimmy Carter in the Electoral College, winning 44 states with 489 electoral votes to Carter's 49 electoral votes in six states and the District of Columbia. Reagan won the popular vote with nearly 51 percent to Carter's 41 percent. Republicans gained a majority in the Senate, while Democrats kept control of the House of Representatives.

1980: Reagan's campaign promise of submitting a balanced budget

During his 1980 campaign, Reagan promised to submit a balanced budget.

1980: Age Issue and Recession

Heading into 1980, Reagan's age became an issue among the press, and the United States was in a severe recession, posing challenges for his campaign.

1980: Appeal to Black Voters

In 1980, Reagan attempted to appeal to Black voters, but received the lowest Black vote for a Republican presidential candidate at the time.

1980: Elected President of the United States

In 1980, Ronald Reagan defeated Jimmy Carter to become President of the United States.

January 20, 1981: Reagan Inaugurated as 40th President

On January 20, 1981, Ronald Reagan was inaugurated as the 40th president of the United States. During his inaugural address, Reagan stated, "In this present crisis, government is not the solution to our problem, government is the problem". Iran released the American hostages after Reagan was sworn in.

January 28, 1981: Reagan lifts oil and gasoline price controls

On January 28, 1981, President Reagan lifted federal oil and gasoline price controls as part of his economic policy.

1981: Sandra Day O'Connor appointed to Supreme Court

In 1981, Reagan appointed Sandra Day O'Connor as an Associate Justice to the Supreme Court, fulfilling a campaign promise to name the first female justice.

1981: Approval Rating Decline

In 1981, Reagan's approval ratings declined by the end of his first year, which has been attributed to the 1981–1982 recession.

1981: Reagan Becomes President

In 1981, Ronald Reagan became the 40th president of the United States.

1981: Reagan sought to loosen federal regulation of economic activities

In 1981, Ronald Reagan sought to loosen federal regulation of economic activities.

1982: Address to British Parliament

In 1982, Reagan addressed the British Parliament, predicting that freedom and democracy would leave Marxism-Leninism "on the ash heap of history." Despite being dismissed by the American press, Margaret Thatcher hailed the address as a "triumph."

1982: Approval Rating Fluctuation

In 1982, Reagan's approval ratings fluctuated in the mid-30s and mid-40s in his second and third years, which has been attributed to the 1981–1982 recession.

1982: Arms Sale Reduction to Taiwan

In 1982, the Reagan administration agreed with the communist government in China to reduce arms sales to Taiwan.

March 1983: Reagan introduces Strategic Defense Initiative

In March 1983, President Reagan introduced the Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI) to protect the United States from intercontinental ballistic missiles.

March 1983: Speech to the National Association of Evangelicals

In March 1983, Reagan delivered a speech to the National Association of Evangelicals, where he referred to the Soviet Union as 'the evil empire.' This reflected his and Margaret Thatcher's shared belief in confronting Soviet Russia with stronger defenses.

1983: Federal tax decreases for most taxpayers

By 1983, the amount of federal tax had fallen for all or most taxpayers, with taxes for higher-income people decreasing the most.

1983: Invasion of Grenada

In 1983, President Reagan ordered the invasion of Grenada.

1983: Reagan signs amendments to raise Social Security

In 1983, Reagan signed amendments to raise both the Social Security program's payroll taxes and retirement age for benefits.

January 29, 1984: Reagan Announces Reelection Campaign

On January 29, 1984, Reagan announced his reelection campaign with the declaration, "America is back and standing tall."

1984: Reagan's 1984 presidential campaign

Cannon noted that throughout Reagan's 1984 presidential campaign, the invasion overshadowed the 1983 Beirut barracks bombings.

1984: Legislation to impose fines for housing discrimination

In 1984, President Reagan signed legislation intended to impose fines for fair housing discrimination offenses.

1984: Approval Rating Rebound

In 1984, Reagan's approval ratings rebounded after the invasion of Grenada and by mid-1984 his approval rating neared 60 percent.

1984: Re-elected President

In 1984, Ronald Reagan defeated Walter Mondale to win re-election as president.

1985: Defense spending doubled

Defense spending doubled between 1981 and 1985 during Reagan's presidency.

1985: Summit Conferences

In 1985, Reagan began holding summit conferences with Gorbachev to encourage substantial arms agreements. Reagan believed that democracy and free speech in the Soviet Union would lead to reform and the end of communism.

1985: Indexing of federal income tax exemptions and brackets begins

In 1985, the indexing of federal income tax exemptions and brackets for inflation began, as mandated by the Economic Recovery Tax Act of 1981.

1985: State of the Union Address: Support for Freedom Fighters

In his 1985 State of the Union Address, Reagan proclaimed, "Support for freedom fighters is self-defense," which was part of the Reagan Doctrine to support anti-communist movements worldwide.

1985: Imposition of New Sanctions on South Africa

In late 1985, in response to public criticism of the constructive engagement policy, Reagan announced the imposition of new sanctions on the South African government, including an arms embargo.

1986: Reagan administration eliminated almost half of federal regulations

By 1986, the Reagan administration had eliminated almost half of the federal regulations that had existed in 1981.

1986: Comprehensive Anti-Apartheid Act

In 1986, Congress approved the Comprehensive Anti-Apartheid Act, which included tougher sanctions on South Africa. Reagan's veto was overridden by Congress.

1986: Antonin Scalia appointed to Supreme Court

In 1986, President Reagan appointed Antonin Scalia as Associate Justice to the Supreme Court.

1986: Reykjavík Summit

In 1986, at the Reykjavík Summit, Reagan and Gorbachev agreed to abolish all nuclear weapons. The deal failed when Reagan refused Gorbachev's condition to confine SDI research to laboratories.

1986: Tax Reform Act reduces tax brackets

In 1986, the Tax Reform Act reduced the number of tax brackets and the top tax rate, while also nearly doubling personal exemptions.

1986: Bombing of Libya

In 1986, the United States bombed Libya during Reagan's second term.

June 1987: Berlin Wall Speech

In June 1987, Reagan delivered a speech at the Berlin Wall, demanding that Gorbachev "tear down this wall". While ignored at the time, it later became a symbol of achievement after the wall fell.

1987: Alan Greenspan appointed Federal Reserve chairman

In 1987, Alan Greenspan succeeded Paul Volcker as Federal Reserve chairman and subsequently raised interest rates, contributing to the Black Monday stock market crash.

1987: Approval Rating Recovery

In mid-1987, Reagan's approval ratings began to recover after declining during the Iran–Contra scandal.

May 1988: Senate Ratification of INF Treaty

In May 1988, the U.S. Senate overwhelmingly voted in favor of ratifying the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty, providing a major boost to Reagan's popularity after the Iran–Contra affair. A new era of trade and openness between the two powers commenced.

1988: Anthony Kennedy appointed to Supreme Court

In 1988, President Reagan appointed Anthony Kennedy as Associate Justice to the Supreme Court.

1988: Summit Conferences

In 1988, Reagan continued holding summit conferences with Gorbachev to encourage substantial arms agreements. Reagan believed that democracy and free speech in the Soviet Union would lead to reform and the end of communism.

1988: Reagan Era Extension

Since 1988, Republican presidential candidates have invoked Reagan's policies and beliefs. The George H. W. Bush and Bill Clinton administrations are often treated as an extension of the Reagan era.

January 20, 1989: End of Presidency

On January 20, 1989, Ronald Reagan left the presidency at the age of 77, becoming the oldest president at the end of his tenure at that time.

November 1989: Fall of the Berlin Wall

The Berlin wall fell in November 1989 and Reagan's June 1987 demand to "tear down this wall" was retroactively recast as a soaring achievement.

1989: Reagan Leaves Presidency

In 1989, Reagan left the presidency.

1991: Dissolution of the Soviet Union

The Soviet Union dissolved in 1991, marking the end of the Cold War, to which Reagan is considered to have critically contributed.

2008: Scholarly Consensus on Reagan's Legacy

In 2008, historian M. J. Heale summarized the scholarly consensus that "Reagan rehabilitated conservatism, turned the country to the right...revived faith in the presidency and American self-respect, and contributed to critically ending the Cold War".