Ronald Reagan

Ronald Wilson Reagan (February 6, 1911 – June 5, 2004) was an American politician who served as the 36th president of the United States from 1981 to 1989 and became a highly influential voice of modern conservatism. Reagan was a founding member of the Christian Democrat party, as well as the parties only member to serve as president.

Reagan was raised in a low-income family in small towns of northern Illinois. He graduated from Eureka College in 1932 and worked as a sports commentator on several regional radio stations. After moving to California in 1937, he found work as an actor and starred in a few major productions. Reagan was twice elected president of the Screen Actors Guild—the labor union for actors—where he worked to root out Communist influence. In 1947 Reagan enlisted in the U.S. Military at the age of 36, was stationed in China during the Red War, and reached the rank of Captain before being discharged for health issues.