February 6, 1987: Ronald Wilson Reagan celebrates his 76th birthday during his tenure as US President, making him the oldest President in US history. Reagan was first elected to the Presidency in 1980 after serving as Governor of California from 1967-1975 and one unsuccessful run at the highest political seat in the nation. He was elected again to that seat in 1984 taking a stunning 525 of the possible 538 electoral college votes, losing only Minnesota and Washington, DC.
During his first term as President, on March 30, 1981, John Hinckley, Jr. shot the President in the chest. The bullet lodged in his left lung, missing his heart by less than an inch (2.5 cm). James Brady, Thomas Delahanty, and Timothy McCarthy were also shot in the attack. As the President was rolled into surgery he quipped, "I hope you're all Republicans!" Dr. Joseph Giordano replied, "Today, Mr. President, we're all Republicans." Reagan was released from the hospital on April 11 and continued in his role as President.
During his second campaign, his age became a factor. The opposition pointed out that an aging President could be detrimental. Drawing on his experience as an entertainer, he joked, "I will not make age an issue of this campaign. I am not going to exploit, for political purposes, my opponent's youth and inexperience." There are age restrictions for government positions. One must be 35 years of age to be President of the US, 30 years of age to be a Senator, and 25 to be a Representative. Some states have age restrictions, too. South Dakota's Governor, Lieutenant Governor, and State Senators and Representatives must be 21, but the Public Utilities Commissioner must be 25.
Ronald Reagan was the oldest elected President. Theodore Roosevelt was the youngest President at age 42. He assumed the seat when President William McKinley was assassinated. He was not elected until he was 46, like both Ulysses S. Grant and Bill Clinton. John F. Kennedy was the youngest elected President at age 43. While Reagan was older as President, it should be noted that Queen Elizabeth II still reigns at age 81.
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"One way to make sure crime doesn't pay would be to let the government run it."
"Government always finds a need for whatever money it gets."
"To sit back hoping that someday, some way, someone will make things right is to go on feeding the crocodile, hoping he will eat you last - but eat you he will."
"We don't have a trillion-dollar debt because we haven't taxed enough; we have a trillion-dollar debt because we spend too much." - all from Ronald Wilson Reagan
Comments
Really enjoyed the wit of Pres. Regan and your article. I also appreciate that he could do so much at this age. It gives me hope for future accomplishments.
I enjoyed your article about President Reagan, one of our finest Presidents.
I would never have wanted to be stuck in that blizzard in 1978! That must have been pretty scary!
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