20/1/81: Ronald Reagan becomes 40th President of the United States

On January 20 1981 Ronald Reagan (1911-2004) was sworn in as 40th President of the United States of America. It was the first of two terms, meaning that his presidency lasted until the same date in 1989. Aged 69, Reagan was the oldest person to be made President and also the oldest person to hold the office in his final year, aged 77.

pic: inaugural.senate.gov

During his presidency the US would see a return to conservative foreign and domestic politics with a new emphasis on the Cold War and hostilities towards the Soviet Union and the Warsaw Pact countries in general. Reagan was also an advocate of free markets and laissez-faire economics, believing that the American economy had been hindered by excessive regulations and social programs. His politics found particular empathy with UK Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher who had been elected in 1979.

pic. realclearpolitics

source: wikipedia