Study Overseas

Ronald Wilson Reagan was born on February 6, 1911 in Tampico, Illinois and died on June 5, 2004 in Bel Air, Los Angeles, California. He was the 40th President of the United States of America and served under this title for two terms (1981-1989). He was born in Illinois and moved to Los Angeles, California in 1930, where he had a variety of jobs as an Actor, President of the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) and lastly as a spokesman for General Electric (GE).

He was originally a member of the Democratic Party but switched over to the Republican Party in 1962. His political career took off when he was at GE. It had been after delivering a rousing speech in support for Barry Goldwater's presidential candidacy in 1964, that he been convinced to run for the Californian governorship, which he won two years later and once again in 1970.

As President

During his first term President Ronald Reagan implement the supply side economics, which in mainstream media has often been dubbed as Reaganomics, which included deregulation and a substantial tax cut. It was implemented in 1981. The term also included an unsuccessful assassination attempt on him, he also took a hard line against organized labor, lastly he ordered the military actions in Grenada.

Reagan's second term was predominantly focused on foreign affair matter, as the Cold War came to a close, the U.S. bombing of Libya (codenamed El Dorado Canyon) and the Iran - Contra affair, which through time developed into a arms for U.S. hostages scheme.

During this term President Reagan was an open supporter of anti-Communist movements world wide and labeled the USSR as an 'evil empire'. He later signed the INF treaty alongside Soviet General Secretary Mikhail Gorbachev, which forced both countries to lower their nuclear arsenal.

Attractions in Dixon/Eureka, Illinois

Ronald Reagan Museum and Peace Garden - The Ronald Reagan Museum and Peace garden has 10,000 items which include over 3,000 on display from his days at Eureka College, his movie and TV career and his governorship and two terms as President of the United States of America. Most of the items were personally donated by Reagan himself.

Address & Contact Information:

300 E. College Ave.
Eureka, Illinois 61530
(309) 467-6407

First Christian Church - served as the Reagan family church while they lived in Dixon, Illinois. It helped Reagan gain his Christian based work ethic. He also served as a Sunday School teacher at the church. It has been in the same location since 1921. There are no private tours available, but you can still call the church regarding service times.

Address & Contact Information:

123 S. Hennepin Avenue
Dixon, Illinois 61021
(815) 288-1222

Lowell Park - is a 240 acre park which includes a Nature Center, Parking, Boat launches and Rock River access, Fishing, Hiking , Nature Preserve, Grills, Cross Country Skiing Playground Equipment, Shelters and more. It is here where Ronald Reagan saved 77 lives as a lifeguard.

Address & Contact Information:

2114 Lowell Park Road
Dixon, Illinois 61021
(815) 288-5209

Wings of Peace and Freedom Park - it was a Bulgarian immigrant who donated the Wings of Peace and Freedom sculpture to the city of Dixon, Illinois. The artwork includes a replica of the Berlin Wall and symbolizes President Ronald Reagan's efforts to attain world peace and freedom.

Address & Contact Information:

Galena Avenue and Second Street
Dixon, Illinois 60121
(815) 946-2108