The Great Communicator (4:18)
Ronald Reagan galvanized the American public through his famous speeches that helped redefine American politics in the 1980s.
Videos (28)
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The Great Communicator
The Great CommunicatorVideo Clip (4:18)
Video Clip (4:18)
Ronald Reagan galvanized the American public through his famous speeches that helped redefine American politics in the 1980s.
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Reagan and the 1980 Debates
Reagan and the 1980 DebatesVideo Clip (3:16)
Video Clip (3:16)
The closing arguments all but determined the winner during the 1980 presidential debates between President Jimmy Carter and Ronald Reagan.
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Reagan's Reelection
Reagan's ReelectionVideo Clip (2:55)
Video Clip (2:55)
In the 1984 presidential debates President Ronald Reagan relied on wit and poise to win a second term in office.
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Reagan's Childhood
Reagan's ChildhoodVideo Clip (4:26)
Video Clip (4:26)
Throughout his life, Ronald Reagan possessed the strong will and likeable nature that helped him win the presidency.
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White House: Deconstructed
White House: DeconstructedVideo Clip (1:35)
Video Clip (1:35)
It may not have been home to the president until 1800 or even called the White House until 1901, but it remains a symbol of freedom and democracy throughout the world.
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Presidential Fun Facts
Presidential Fun FactsVideo Clip (1:21)
Video Clip (1:21)
The Oval Office has been filled with extraordinary presidents, but did you know about these not-so-famous firsts?
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Berlin Wall: Deconstructed
Berlin Wall: DeconstructedVideo Clip (2:27)
Video Clip (2:27)
For 30 years, the Berlin Wall was the defining symbol of the Cold War, separating families and keeping the people from jobs and opportunity in the west.
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Cold War
Cold WarVideo Clip (2:31)
Video Clip (2:31)
The Cold War is over, but what it left behind may surprise you.
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The Space Race
The Space RaceVideo Clip (2:58)
Video Clip (2:58)
The U.S. competition with the U.S.S.R. for technological dominance spurred the U.S. on to the first-ever landing on the Moon.
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The Fall of the Soviet Union
The Fall of the Soviet UnionVideo Clip (3:22)
Video Clip (3:22)
Trace the steps that led to the collapse of America's Cold War foe as told by musician and artist Jeffrey Lewis.
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Morning in America
Morning in AmericaVideo Clip (4:34)
Video Clip (4:34)
Morning in America was one of the greatest political ad campaigns because it promised a prouder, stronger, better America.
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There You Go Again
There You Go AgainVideo Clip (5:13)
Video Clip (5:13)
Jimmy Carter unsuccessfully attempts to play into the uncertainty that the American public had for Ronald Reagan, during a debate on October 28, 1980.
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Inaugural Address: Ronald Reagan
Inaugural Address: Ronald ReaganVideo Clip (2:35)
Video Clip (2:35)
Excerpts from Ronald Reagon's inaugural address on Tuesday, January 20, 1981.
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Primaries, Caucuses, and Conventions
Primaries, Caucuses, and ConventionsVideo Clip (4:15)
Video Clip (4:15)
Host David Eisenbach explains the history of the long election process a candidate must go through to become President of the United States.
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The Inauguration
The InaugurationVideo Clip (4:15)
Video Clip (4:15)
Host David Eisenbach gives the historic significance of the process by which a newly elected candidate assumes the role of President of the United States of America.
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Transfer of Power
Transfer of PowerVideo Clip (3:53)
Video Clip (3:53)
Host David Eisenbach reveals the process where one president transfers their duties of office to the next president.
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The Press Plane
The Press PlaneVideo Clip (0:52)
Video Clip (0:52)
Pat Buchanan, speech writer during Richard Nixon's 1968 campaign, tells the story of one of Nixons early executive decisions.
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Celebrities in Politics
Celebrities in PoliticsVideo Clip (2:48)
Video Clip (2:48)
In a Path to the Podium video, see how celebrities get involved in politics. While some celebrities stump for causes or candidates, the celebrities in this video take it to the next level by holding political office.
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Elections: Reagan's Inauguration Ad
Elections: Reagan's Inauguration AdVideo Clip (1:05)
Video Clip (1:05)
President Ronald Reagan's inauguration ceremony in front of the Capitol, sworn in by Chief Justice Warren Burger, is seen in this History Channel video. Nancy Reagan proudly looks on.
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President Reagan Shot
President Reagan ShotVideo Clip (3:44)
Video Clip (3:44)
John Hinckley does his best to impress Jodie Foster by firing a few rounds at President Ronald Reagan. He hits Reagan in the armpit, and nearly kills Brady with a shot to the head. Reagan stays alive and Hinckley spends a whole lot of time in an institution.
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Reagan Describes Shooting
Reagan Describes ShootingVideo Clip (0:46)
Video Clip (0:46)
President Ronald Reagan's assassination attempt by John Hinckley, Jr. in front of the Washington Hilton Hotel is shown on this History Channel video. White House Press Secretary James Brady was also seriously wounded.
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Reagan Meets Gorbachev
Reagan Meets GorbachevVideo Clip (4:46)
Video Clip (4:46)
See President Ronald Reagan meet Mikail Gorbachev, set to "Cult of Personality" by Living Colour.
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Reagan Advocates Small Government
Reagan Advocates Small GovernmentVideo Clip (0:46)
Video Clip (0:46)
"I resent it when a representative of the people refers to you and me, the free men and women of this country, as the masses."
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Reagan on Military Strength
Reagan on Military StrengthVideo Clip (1:59)
Video Clip (1:59)
"We cannot shirk our responsibility as the leader of the free world."
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Reagan on Vietnam 1964
Reagan on Vietnam 1964Video Clip (1:45)
Video Clip (1:45)
"There can be no real peace while one American is dying some place in the world for the rest of us."
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Nuclear Missile Defensive Systems
Nuclear Missile Defensive SystemsVideo Clip (2:15)
Video Clip (2:15)
In a Mail Call video, R. Lee Ermey answers a question from Doug of Texas who wants to know what Star Wars is. Ermey is going to assume that Dougs talking about our NMD, Nuclear missile defensive systems, and not movies that he hasnt been in!
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Reagan: Don't Negotiate with Terrorists
Reagan: Don't Negotiate with TerroristsVideo Clip (0:37)
Video Clip (0:37)
The strategic defense initiative is outlined by President Ronald Reagan as he discusses his foreign policy position to halt terrorism.
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USS Ronald Reagan
USS Ronald ReaganVideo Clip (3:02)
Video Clip (3:02)
A brief look at the USS Ronald Reagan, the biggest aircraft carrier in the world.
Photo Galleries (3)
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Ronald Reagan
Ronald Reagan(19 Photos)
19 Photos
View an image slideshow on President Ronald Reagan.
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Cold War: American Leaders
Cold War: American Leaders(13 Photos)
13 Photos
From 1945 until the fall of the Soviet Union in 1991, U.S. presidents and politicians developed strategies to limit the spread of communism.
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California
California(9 Photos)
9 Photos
With its varied climate and diverse cultural influences, California boasts a range of natural wonders and architectural masterpieces.
Speeches & Audio (8)
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Ronald Reagan Delivers Farewell Address
Ronald Reagan Delivers Farewell AddressAudio Clip (1:53)
Audio Clip (1:53)
On January 11, 1989, President Ronald Reagan, who at nearly 78, was the oldest person ever to hold the nation's highest office, gave his final address to the American people.
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Reagan Supports Poland's Solidarity Movement
Reagan Supports Poland's Solidarity MovementAudio Clip (2:42)
Audio Clip (2:42)
In late 1981, in an address to the nation, President Ronald Reagan condemned the recent communist crackdown on the Solidarity Movement in Poland.
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Reagan on Historic Visit to Berlin Wall
Reagan on Historic Visit to Berlin WallAudio Clip (1:57)
Audio Clip (1:57)
In June of 1987, President Ronald Reagan stopped in West Berlin on the 750th anniversary of the city and delivered one of his most famous lines when he demanded that Mikhail Gorbachev tear down the Berlin Wall. In an address to the nation following his return from that trip, President Reagan recalls standing next to the imposing structure.
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Reagan on Middle East Policy
Reagan on Middle East PolicyAudio Clip (5:16)
Audio Clip (5:16)
When the war broke out in Lebanon in June, 1982, President Ronald Reagan's plans to facilitate autonomy talks between Palestine and Israel were put on hold. Now, in September, with the conflict ended and the evacuation of the PLO from Beirut complete, President Reagan speaks from the studios of KNBC-TV on America's policy for peace in the Middle East.
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Reagan on Hijacking of TWA Flight 847
Reagan on Hijacking of TWA Flight 847Audio Clip (2:37)
Audio Clip (2:37)
On June 14, 1985, a TWA jetliner en route from Athens to Rome was hijacked by armed Shiite terrorists who ordered that the aircraft be flown to Beirut, where the plane was held for 17 days with hostages on board. On day four of the situation, after one of the American hostages was killed, President Ronald Reagan held a news conference to bring the nation up to date.
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Reagan Fires Striking Air Traffic Controllers
Reagan Fires Striking Air Traffic ControllersAudio Clip (0:29)
Audio Clip (0:29)
On August 4, 1981, President Ronald Reagan reads a statement to the press on his decision to fire any air traffic controllers who do not show up to work within 48 hours. After negotiations with the federal government to raise their pay failed, 13,000 air traffic controllers went on strike.
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Reagan Calls for Chemical Weapons Ban
Reagan Calls for Chemical Weapons BanAudio Clip (2:30)
Audio Clip (2:30)
On April 4, 1984, in his 23rd news conference broadcast live on radio and television, President Ronald Reagan publicly calls for an international ban on chemical weapons.
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Ronald Reagan on Iran-Contra Hearings
Ronald Reagan on Iran-Contra HearingsAudio Clip (2:59)
Audio Clip (2:59)
In 1987, Congress held 40 days of public hearings on the Iran-Contra affair during which they listened to 28 witnesses give more than 250 hours of testimony. On August 12, 1987, in a live broadcast from the Oval Office, President Ronald Reagan comments on the recent congressional hearings now that they are over.
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Read More about Ronald Reagan
Ronald Reagan, a former actor and California governor, served as the 40th U.S. president from 1981 to 1989.
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