The images in this collection depict the life of Ronald Wilson Reagan, the 40th President of the United States (1980-88).

They document President Reagan's public and private life from his boyhood years in Illinois through his two terms as President. Included in the collection are scenes from President Reagan's career as Chicago Cubs broadcaster, his Hollywood years (including time spent as president of the Screen Actors Guild) and his private life at Rancho del Cielo (the Reagans' private ranch near Santa Barbara, California).

Each photograph in this series has been gathered from public archives, initially produced for the Ronald Reagan Suite at the Century Plaza Hotel - Tower Building in Los Angeles. ( Now the Presidential Suite of the St Regis)

Images were digitally enhanced by Business Image Group.
Nothing was done to any of the content that would affect its historical authenticity. Our digital process was used to restore defects related to the deterioration of the film and images that may adversely effect the appreciation of the photograph. Hand-tinting was performed by Bennett Halll using traditional methods.

Images are from the public domain archives of the Ronald Reagan Library. Hand-tinted is © Bennett Hall


Please visite our Web Galleries on WorldWide ARchive if you are interested in purchasing a print frmaed, or unframed.

In honor of President Ronald Reagan

"A Remarkable Life"
1911-2004


"Whatever else history may say about me when I'm gone, I hope it will record that I appealed to your best hopes, not your worst fears; to your confidence rather than your doubts. My dream is that you will travel the road ahead with liberty's lamp guiding your steps and opportunity's arm steadying your way."

-- Remarks in his address to the Republican National Convention, Houston, Texas, August 17, 1992

Ronald Reagan rescued 77 people during the six years he worked as a lifeguard at Lowell Park in Dixon, Illinois, garnering status as a local hero • Summer 1927


Courtesy of Ronald Reagan Library,
Hand-tinted by Bennett Hall © 1999

Ronald Reagan with his College Football team

Ronald Reagan (bottom row, fourth from right) and fellow members of his Eureka (Ill.) College football team • circa 1928-32

Inscription "Dear Howard, were we ever this young?
Best Regards Ronald Reagan"

Courtesy of Ronald Reagan Library,
Hand-tinted by Bennett Hall © 1999

Ronald Reagan began his broadcasting career as a radio announcer for the Chicago Cubs, WHO Radio, Des Moines, Iowa • Circa 1930


Courtesy of Ronald Reagan Library
Hand-tinted by Bennett Hall © 1999

Ronald Reagan with parents, 1937-38

Once harboring acting ambitions of her own, Nelle Reagan offered inspiration and hope to her son’s theatrical goals


Courtesy of Ronald Reagan Library

Ronald Reagan as George Gipp ("The Gipper") from the Warner Bros. film, "Knute Rockne, All American" • 1940





Courtesy of Ronald Reagan Library
Hand-tinted by Bennett Hall © 1999

Screen Actors Guild President Ronald Reagan testifies before the House Un-American Activities Committee • October 25, 1947





Courtesy of Ronald Reagan Library
Hand-tinted by Bennett Hall © 1999

The Reagans enjoy a night on the town with fellow actor William Holden and his wife Ardis • circa 1950


Courtesy of Ronald Reagan Library

Ronald and Nancy Reagan • circa early 1950s

Ronald Reagan and Nancy out on the town


Courtesy of Ronald Reagan Library
Hand-tinted by Bennett Hall © 1999

Ronald Reagan in the Director's Chair during production of "GE Electric Theater"

As the host of the General Electric Theater, a dramatic series which ran on CBS between 1953 and 1961, Ronald Reagan developed and fine-tuned his natural ability for public speaking. Through his work as spokesperson for the GE Theater, historians believe that Reagan underwent a shift in his political leanings, from Democrat to Republican.

Courtesy of Ronald Reagan Library
Hand-tinted by Bennett Hall © 1999

Nancy Reagan and Ron Jr. watch as Ronald Reagan is sworn in as Governor of the State of California by Associate Justice Marshall McComb • January 1, 1967


Courtesy of Ronald Reagan Library

One month into office, President Reagan welcomes freed American hostages home from over 465 days of captivity in Iran. This image was madew from the steps of the Lincoln Memorial • January 27, 1981

Photograph by Bill Fitz-Patrick,
Courtesy of Ronald Reagan Library

President Reagan admires a get well card sent from the White House staff during his recuperation from an assassination attempt • March 30, 1981


Photograph by Michael Evans,
Courtesy of Ronald Reagan Library

President Reagan raises a toast to Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Fraser at a White House state dinner • June 30, 1981


Photograph by Bill Fitz-Patrick,
Courtesy of Ronald Reagan Library

First Lady Nancy Reagan surprises the President during a press conference with a cake for his 72nd birthday • February 4, 1983


Photograph by Karl Schumacher,
Courtesy of Ronald Reagan Library

President Reagan receives the phone call informing him of his election victory to a second term in the Presidential Suite of the Century Plaza Hotel • November 6, 1984


Photograph by Mary Anne Fackelman-Miner,
Courtesy of Ronald Reagan Library

President Reagan, Mrs. Reagan and the President’s brother, Neil Reagan, hail the President’s re-election in the Los Angeles Ballroom • November 6, 1984


Photograph by Michael Evans,
Courtesy of Ronald Reagan Library

President Reagan, Mrs. Reagan and daughter-in-law Doria Reagan celebrate his re-election to a second term as President on the stage of the Los Angeles Ballroom • November 6, 1984


Photograph by Jack Kightlinger,
Courtesy of Ronald Reagan Library

President & Mrs. Reagan, Ron Reagan Jr., Maureen Reagan and son-in-law Dennis Revell celebrate the President’s re-election in the Los Angeles Ballroom • November 6, 1984


Photograph by Pete Souza,
Courtesy of Ronald Reagan Library

First Lady Nancy Reagan jokes with Elizabeth Taylor at the private White House inaugural reception celebrating the beginning of President Reagan’s second term • January 20, 1985


Photograph by Pete Souza,
Courtesy of Ronald Reagan Library

President Reagan with Pope John Paul II in Miami, Florida • September 10, 1987


Available on World Wide ARchive Web Galleries

Photograph by Pete Souza,
Courtesy of Ronald Reagan Library

Preparing to address the nation in the Oval Office,
President Reagan confers with Presidential aide Elizabeth Board prior to a speech from the Oval Office
• October 14, 1987


Photograph by Pete Souza,
Courtesy of Ronald Reagan Library

President Reagan emphasizes the need for a balanced budget as part of his State of the Union Address to Congress • January 25, 1988

Reagan presenting documents on government excess to congress


Photograph by Pete Souza,
Courtesy of Ronald Reagan Library

B-13

President Reagan departs the Oval Office for the last time upon the completion of his second term in office
• January 20, 1989


Photograph by Pete Souza,
Courtesy of Ronald Reagan Library

Ronald Reagan accompanies Queen Elizabeth II on a horseback ride around the grounds of Windsor Castle, England • June 8, 1982


Photograph by Michael Evans,
Courtesy of Ronald Reagan Library

C-2

President and Mrs. Reagan greet Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and His Royal Highness Prince Philip of Great Britain at Rancho del Cielo • March 1, 1983


Photograph by Michael Evans,
Courtesy of Ronald Reagan Library

President Reagan addresses statesmen and D-Day survivors above the beaches of Normandy at Pointe Du Hoc, France • June 6, 1984


Photograph by Bill Fitz-Patrick,
Courtesy of Ronald Reagan Library

President Reagan urges Soviet Premier Mikhail Gorbachev to “tear down” the Berlin Wall during his famous speech at Germany’s Brandenburg Gate • June 12, 1987


Photograph by Terry Arthur,
Courtesy of Ronald Reagan Library

The Reagans and Gorbachevs leave the Kremlin after the farewell ceremony honoring the signing of the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty (I.N.F.)
• June 2, 1988


Photograph by Bill Fitz-Patrick,
Courtesy of Ronald Reagan Library

Overview of Rancho del Cielo situated North of Santa Barbara, CA • April 4, 1983


Photograph by Bill Fitz-Patrick,
Courtesy of Ronald Reagan Library

The Reagans spend an idyllic afternoon rowing on their man-made pond at Rancho del Cielo • August 17, 1983


Photograph by Mary Anne Fackelman-Miner,
Courtesy of Ronald Reagan Library

C-3

President Reagan and Millie attend to everyday ranch chores • April 1984


Photograph by Pete Souza,
Courtesy of Ronald Reagan Library

C-4

Ronald Reagan and George Bush at Rancho de Cielo,

President Reagan and Vice-President Bush take a break during a work session at the ranch • August 6, 1984


Courtesy of Ronald Reagan Library

President Reagan enjoys a scenic horseback ride on his Rancho del Cielo property • November 1986


Photograph by Terry Arthur,
Courtesy of Ronald Reagan Library

C-6

President Reagan confers with Chief of Staff Howard Baker and National Security Advisor General Colin Powell at Rancho del Cielo • November 25th, 1987


Photograph by Bill Fitz-Patrick,
Courtesy of Ronald Reagan Library

Ronald and Nancy Reagan arrive at the Century Plaza Hotel to attend the Century Ball, a gala event celebrating the opening of the Hotel • June 1966


From the Collection of The Century Plaza Hotel
Hand-tinted by Bennett Hall © 1999

Ronald Reagan signs in as the first guest of the just completed Tower Building, Century Plaza Hotel.
Vice-President and Managing Director William Quinn on the left • December 27, 1984


From the Collection of The Century Plaza Hotel

President Reagan tosses a paper airplane from the balcony of the Ronald Reagan Suite • August 29, 1986


Photograph by Pete Souza,
Courtesy of Ronald Reagan Library

President Reagan meets with Vice President George Bush in the reception area of the Ronald Reagan Suite. President Reagan’s Chief of Staff, Ken Duberstein, is on the left
• August 24, 1987

Photograph by Susan Biddle,
Courtesy of Ronald Reagan Library

Chief of Staff Howard Baker entertains the President in the Ronald Reagan Suite • August 28, 1987

Photograph by Pete Souza,
Courtesy of Ronald Reagan Library

President Reagan poses for Life photographer Harry Benson on the balcony of the Ronald Reagan Suite
• August 28, 1987

Photograph by Pete Souza,
Courtesy of Ronald Reagan Library

President Reagan meets with Vice President Bush and Cabinet members Craig Fuller, Ken Duberstein and Marlin Fitzwater in the Ronald Reagan Suite • August 24, 1988


Photograph by Susan Biddle,
Courtesy of Ronald Reagan Library

President Reagan catches up on his reading in the Ronald Reagan Suite • August 26, 1988


Photograph by Susan Biddle,
Courtesy of Ronald Reagan Library