Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation & Library

Nancy Reagan > Her Life & Times

1921	July 6 Born in New York, New York, as Anne Frances Robbins (nicknamed Nancy) to Kenneth Robbins and Edith Luckett Robbins.
1923	Moved to Bethesda, Maryland, to live with Aunt Virginia and Uncle Audley Galbraith.
1929	May Mother remarried to Loyal Davis. Summer Moved to Chicago with mother and step-father.
1935	Legally adopted by her stepfather and became Nancy Davis.
1939	December 28 Had her coming out party.
1943	Summer Graduated Smith College, Northampton, Massachusetts, with major in drama.
1945	Won part in play, Ramshackle Inn, first break in acting career.
1949	Signed seven-year contract with MGM. Fall Met Ronald Reagan.
1952	February Announced engagement with Ronald Reagan. March 4 Married Ronald Reagan.
1956	Made last film, Hellcats of the Navy, at Columbia in which both she and her husband appeared.
1967	Began visiting wounded Vietnam veterans; became active with POWs and MIAs.
1970	Championed Foster Grandparents program.
1985	February 22 Launched Teens in Action booklet as part of campaign against drug use. April 24, 25 Hosted First Ladies Conference on Drug Abuse in Washington, D.C., and Atlanta, Georgia. October 21 Hosted second First Ladies Conference on Drug Abuse at the United Nations.
1986	October 27 Drug Bill ("National Crusade for a Drug Free America") signed into law; considered a personal victory as the issue's importance became recognized.
1988	October Addressed the Third Committee of the United Nations General Assembly; was first U.S. First Lady to do so.
1989	January Established the Nancy Reagan Foundation to educate people about dangers of substance abuse. October Published memoirs titled My Turn (Random House).
1994	Nancy Reagan Foundation and BEST Foundation For A Drug-Free Tomorrow developed the Nancy Reagan Afterschool Program.
2000	I Love You, Ronnie, a book of Nancy and Ronald Reagan's love letters, is published.