Ronald Wilson Reagan (February 6, 1911 – June 5, 2004)
As the 40th president of the United States, the former movie star
was called the “Great Communicator” for his ability to get through
to ordinary Americans and give them hope and optimism for their
own future and that of their country.
Despite his lifelong opposition to “big” government, he was credited
with restoring faith in the U.S. government and the presidency after
a long era of disillusionment in the wake of Nixon, Vietnam and
economic hardship under Carter.
But before his years of Hollywood stardom, and long before
Washington, Ronald Reagan was born on February 6, 1911,
in Tampico, a small town in northwestern Illinois.