Ronald Reagan

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President Ronald Reagan

Ronald Reagan was born on February 6, 1911 in Tampico, Illinois (Huckshorn 1). He was born in a small apartment above the Pitney General Store (Life Before 1). John Edward Reagan (his father) was a shoe salesman that was an alcoholic. The first time he saw his son he said, "For such a little bit of a fat Dutchman, he makes a hell of a lot of noise, doesn't he" (Life Before 1). This led to his nickname, "Dutch."

Reagan's father barely had a grade-school education, but he loved his children. He tried to earn a living for his family, but it was difficult because he was an "alcoholic". Reagan's father's luck changed when he was chosen to be the Dixon director of the Works Progress Administration. This was a federal agency that put Americans back to work after the Depression.

Reagan's mother taught her children that alcoholics had a disease. His mother visited prisoners, the inmates of poor houses, and hospital patients. She outlived her husband who died in 1941.

Reagan graduated from High School in 1928. "Reagan played basketball and right guard on the football team, ran track, served as president of the student body, acted in school plays, and wrote for the yearbook" (Life Before 1)

Reagan majored in economics and astronomy at Eu...

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...ns who will be afflicted with Alzheimer's disease. A few years later he ended all public appearances.

Work Cited

Huckshorn, Robert J. "The American Presidency Ronald Reagan Biography" Encyclopedia Americana. http://gi.grolier.com/president/ea/bios/40preag.html

"Ronald Reagan Actor/U.S. President" Who2Profile, http://www.who2.com/ronaldreagan.html

"Ronald Reagan 40th President (1981-1989) The "Prime-Time" President" http://www.americanpresident.org/KoTrain/Courses/RR/RR_Life_After_the_Presidency.htm

"Ronald Reagan Campaigns and Election of 1980" http://www.americanpresident.org/KoTrain/Courses/RR/RR_Campaigns_and_Elections.htm

"Ronald Reagan Life Before the Presidency" http://www.americanpresident.org/KoTrain/Courses/RR/RR_Life_Before_The_Presidency.htm

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