Ronald Reagan journeyed from a Hollywood movie set to the White House as the 40th President of the United States. Initially, he charmed audiences as an actor and television host before he shifted his focus to global politics. Furthermore, his charismatic leadership style earned him the nickname "The Great Communicator." Consequently, his two terms in office reshaped the American economy and helped end the Cold War. Explore these fascinating details about the man they called "Dutch."
Ronald Reagan
Ronald Reagan saved an incredible 77 lives as a lifeguard. During his youth in Illinois, he worked at the Rock River for seven summers. Diligently, he notched a mark on a wooden log every time he pulled a drowning swimmer to safety.
His father nicknamed him “Dutch” when he was a baby. Apparently, his father thought the newborn looked like a “fat little Dutchman.” Therefore, the nickname stuck with him for the rest of his life, even during his presidency.
Reagan worked as a secret FBI informant in Hollywood. In the 1940s, he provided information to the government about suspected communists in the movie industry. Secretly, agents assigned him the code name “T-10” to protect his identity.
He recreated baseball games from a ticker tape machine. Before he became an actor, he worked as a radio announcer for the Chicago Cubs. Creatively, he used basic text updates to invent exciting play-by-play commentary for the listeners at home.
A chimpanzee nearly strangled him on a movie set. While filming Bedtime for Bonzo, the animal grabbed Reagan’s necktie and pulled it dangerously tight. Fortunately, crew members cut the tie off just in time to save him.
Ronald Reagan was the first president to have been divorced. He married actress Jane Wyman in 1940, but they separated eight years later due to political differences. Eventually, he found lifelong love with his second wife, Nancy.
Jelly Belly invented a new flavor specifically for his inauguration. Because Reagan loved jelly beans, the company created the blueberry flavor to complete a red, white, and blue theme. Consequently, he kept a jar of them on his desk in the Oval Office at all times.
He switched political parties halfway through his life. Originally, he was a registered Democrat who supported Franklin D. Roosevelt’s New Deal. However, his views became more conservative over time, so he officially joined the Republican party in 1962.
He joked with surgeons after he was shot. Following an assassination attempt in 1981, he was rushed to the hospital with a bullet wound. Humorously, he looked at the doctors and said, “I hope you are all Republicans.”
Nancy Reagan consulted an astrologer for his schedule. After the shooting, the First Lady became terrified for her husband’s safety. Therefore, she secretly hired Joan Quigley to determine the most auspicious times for the President to travel.
Ronald Reagan suffered from poor eyesight for most of his life. In fact, he was so nearsighted that he could not see the audience when he gave speeches. Eventually, he became one of the first people to wear contact lenses to correct his vision.
Reagan helped destigmatize the use of hearing aids. He damaged his hearing when a gun was fired too close to his ear on a film set. Later, he wore a hearing device publicly in the White House, which encouraged others to do the same.
He wrote thousands of love letters to his wife. throughout their marriage, he constantly penned romantic notes to Nancy. Afterward, she published many of these heartfelt letters to show the softer side of the President.
He received an honorary knighthood from Queen Elizabeth II. Because of his close friendship with the UK and Margaret Thatcher, the Queen bestowed this rare honor upon him. Thus, he became the first American president to receive the title.
Finally, he broke the “20-year curse” of American presidents. For over a century, every president elected in a year ending in zero had died in office. Thankfully, Reagan survived his two terms and finally ended the superstitious pattern.
