Presidency Of Ronald Reagan 1981-1989

The Presidency of Ronald Reagan in the 1980s

Ronald Reagan was the 40th President of the United States, serving two terms from 1981 to 1989. During his presidency, Reagan implemented a number of significant policies and initiatives that had a lasting impact on the country.

Accomplishments

One of Reagan's major accomplishments was his successful efforts to reduce the size and scope of the federal government. He signed into law a number of measures that cut taxes, reduced regulations, and limited the powers of federal agencies. These policies helped to stimulate economic growth and led to a significant increase in wealth and prosperity for many Americans.

Reagan's foreign policy was also a key part of his legacy. He oversaw the end of the Cold War, which had lasted for decades and had threatened the security of the United States and its allies. Reagan negotiated a series of arms control agreements with the Soviet Union, including the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty, which eliminated a class of nuclear weapons from both countries.

Reagan's presidency also saw the appointment of several conservative judges to the Supreme Court, including Antonin Scalia and Clarence Thomas, who have had a lasting impact on the direction of the court.

Failures

Reagan's presidency was not without its failures, however. One of the most significant was the Iran-Contra affair, in which Reagan's administration was found to have illegally sold arms to Iran and used the proceeds to fund rebel groups in Nicaragua. The scandal resulted in several high-ranking officials being indicted and damaged Reagan's reputation.

Reagan's economic policies also faced criticism. While they helped to spur economic growth, they also led to an increase in income inequality and left many Americans behind. Reagan's cuts to social programs, particularly those that helped the poor and disadvantaged, were also controversial and sparked protests and criticism.

In addition, Reagan's environmental policies were seen as weak, and his administration was criticized for not doing enough to address climate change and protect the environment.

Policies

One of Reagan's key policies was his economic plan, known as Reaganomics. This plan included a number of measures designed to stimulate economic growth, including a significant reduction in taxes, particularly for the wealthy and for businesses. Reagan also cut regulations and limited the powers of federal agencies, particularly those that were seen as hindering economic growth.

Reagan's foreign policy focused on strengthening the military and taking a hard line against the Soviet Union and communism. He increased military spending and pursued a number of strategic initiatives, including the Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI), a program designed to develop a missile defense system to protect the United States from nuclear attack.

Reagan's environmental policies were seen as weak, and he faced criticism for not doing enough to address issues such as climate change and pollution. He did, however, sign into law the Superfund legislation, which established a program to clean up hazardous waste sites, and the Montreal Protocol, which aimed to protect the ozone layer by phasing out the production of certain ozone-depleting chemicals.

1980's Fashion Fads

The Bold and Bright Styles of the 1980s

The 1980s was a decade of bold fashion choices and loud, colorful styles. From shoulder pads and leg warmers to neon colors and graphic prints, the 80s were all about making a statement with your clothes. Let's take a look back at some of the most iconic fashion trends of the 1980s.

Shoulder Pads

Shoulder pads were a popular fashion trend in the 1980s, particularly in suits and dresses. These padded inserts were meant to give the appearance of broad shoulders and a more structured silhouette. Shoulder pads became so popular that they could be found in just about every type of garment, from jackets and blazers to blouses and even swimsuits.

Leg Warmers

Leg warmers were a trend that originated in the 1980s as a way to keep legs warm during exercise. They quickly gained popularity as a fashion accessory, and could be found in a variety of colors and patterns. Leg warmers were often worn over leggings or tights, and could be paired with shorts, skirts, or even dresses. They became especially popular among dancers and aerobics enthusiasts.

Neon Colors

Bright, neon colors were all the rage in the 1980s. These bold hues could be found on just about everything, from clothing and accessories to makeup and hairstyles. Popular neon shades included pink, green, orange, and yellow. Neon colors were often paired with black or other neutral tones to create a high-contrast look.

Graphic Prints

Graphic prints, such as bold stripes, polka dots, and abstract patterns, were also popular in the 1980s. These prints could be found on a variety of garments, including dresses, tops, skirts, and even shoes and bags. Graphic prints were often paired with solid-colored pieces to create a playful and eclectic look.

Other Iconic 1980s Styles

Other iconic fashion trends of the 1980s included:

• Ripped and distressed jeans
• Leather jackets and skirts
• Big, bold hair and makeup
• Overalls and jumpsuits
• Sweatshirt dresses

Conclusion

The 1980s were a decade of bold and bright fashion choices. From shoulder pads and leg warmers to neon colors and graphic prints, the 80s were all about making a statement with your clothes. While many of these trends may not be as popular today, they will always be remembered as a defining feature of the 1980s fashion sce

Space Shuttle Challenger Explodes - Jan 28th 1986

January 28th, 1986. I remember it like it was yesterday. I was in 11th grade at the time, and we were watching it, live in Science class.

We all took our seats, and started in anticipation to watch the countdown.

This was a very exciting event, it gave us all a 'free period' which was always nice, and I personally had never seen a shuttle launch.

Countdown - LAUNCH. Within 73 seconds, the shuttle exploded, killing seven of it's passengers , 5 NASA astronauts and 2 payload specialists, we all just sat there, jaws dropped, wondering what the hell we just witnessed.

One of the payload specialists was Christa McAuliffe who was a teacher. This was huge, and was the main reason we were permitted to watch the launch in school.

After the disaster NASA suspended the program for 32 months. It led to an extensive investigation and the formation of the Rogers Commission , appointed by president Reagan to find out how this tragedy occurred.

The Rogers Commission determined that NASA had a flaw in the construction of its O-rings and that the temperature to launch that day was most likely too cold to launch. NASA never properly tested a shuttle launch in those cool conditions.