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Ronald Reagan was the 40th President and has his library in Simi Valley, California. Mr Reagan was born in Illinois and attended college at Eureka. However he lived most of his life in California working as an actor in Hollywood. He entered politics quite late in life when he was elected Governor of California at the age of 58. He was the oldest President to take the Oath when he took office at the age of 72. He served 2 terms.
President Reagan is regarded as one of the best Presidents of all time and the best in the post World War 2 era. For sure, he oversaw the end of the Cold War - a problem which had consumed every President for almost 50 years. He also led the nation to prosperity and economic success by reducing the size of the Government.
His closest ally in office was Mrs Margaret Thatcher - the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. Together they brought down the Berlin Wall and steered us to a safer world.
The Library is very nice. The most amazing exhibit is Air Force One - the Presidential Aircraft. Bearing in mind that it's sitting on a building at the top of a hill, it's an amazing achievement to have got it there.
The Library contains a lot of interesting stuff. Currently they have a special exhibition of 88 of the First Ladies' Dresses. She was voted the Best Dressed Lady in the World and with good reason. The variety of color and style is very impressive. I especially liked the outfit she devised to turn up at the Press Core Dinner and sang "Second Hand Rose".
The location of the Library is very impressive and donated as a gift by a wealthy friend of the President. In fact the Reagan's have a ranch near Santa Barbara and although that would have been a preferred location, difficulties with vehicle access persuaded the President to site the library in Simi Valley. Mr Reagan is buried in the grounds.
I've definetly rethought my opinion of President Reagan since coming to live in the States. I was really surprised by the outpouring of grief when he passed away in 2004. He was without doubt a very charming leader and a Great American.
Lightbox click here - 5.4mb download
Quicktime Panorama Air Force One: click here - 7mb download
Quicktime Panorama Reagan Memorial: click here - 7mb download
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