The 40th president of the United States, Ronald Reagan, was in office from 1981 to 1989. Many people remember him as the man who instituted a new economic policy nicknamed Reaganomics. The plan prescribed allocating more funds to the military, less for social programs, extensive tax cuts and deregulation of domestic markets.
He is also known as the president who helped bring about the end of the Cold War and for the Iran-Contra scandal which took place on his watch. One of the most iconic moments of his presidency took place at the Berlin Wall, where he famously told Soviet General Secretary Gorbachev to “Tear down this wall!”
Lyndon Baines Johnson
Lyndon Baines Johnson, more commonly known as LBJ, was America’s 36th president, in office from 1963 to 1969. He was John F. Kennedy’s vice president and stepped in after Kennedy was assassinated. LBJ left behind a strong legacy of social reform. He signed the Civil Rights Act of 1964, The Voting Rights Act of 1965, passed laws for gun control and welfare. He also signed the Social Security Act of 1965, which established Medicaid and Medicare.
Johnson’s public appeal took a hit when he committed hundreds of thousands of troops to the war in Vietnam and his decision divided the nation.
Johnson’s Life Saving Bathroom Break
President Johnson almost died during the Second World War while taking part in a bombing mission in the South Pacific. He was supposed to board a plane named the Wabash Cannonball but decided to take a quick bathroom break before setting out.
He came back and discovered that his flight had taken off without him. Only later did he find out that the bomber crashed and none of the passengers survived.
Reagan’s Assassination Attempt
John Hinckley Jr. made an attempt on President Ronald Reagan’s life on March 30th, 1981. He took several shots at the president and tried to end his life. Strangely enough, Hinckley thought the act would impress young actress Jodie Foster.
One of the bullets hit Reagan in the chest but luckily, he survived. Hinckley made no attempt to flee and was arrested immediately.
John F. Kennedy
John F. Kennedy, or JFK as he was often referred to, was the 35th American President and was in office from 1961 to 1963. He was the only Roman Catholic president and also the youngest and was sworn in at the age of 43. Kennedy’s time in the White House ended prematurely due to his tragic assassination in November 1963.
Kennedy is remembered for his calm and levelheaded leadership during the Cuban Missile Crisis and for his founding of the Peace Corps. He also supported equal rights for African Americans and equal pay for women.