The Diary Of Ronald Reagan | The Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation & Institute

During his eight years as President, Ronald Reagan wrote his innermost thoughts in his personal diary. Coupled with his White House Diary, these entries are an intimate look into both the extraordinary and routine days of his Presidency.

On This Day: April 27

Every entry on this date through all eight years of the Reagan administration.

Ronald Reagan's white house diaries for the day of 04-27-1988

Celebrating Easter

Ronald Reagan's white house diaries for the day of 04-07-1985

Sunday, April 7, 1985

9 A.M. coffee with Sens. Dole & Domenici & Friedersdorf & Don R. & Dave Stockman to thank them for the budget compromise. Then Marine 1 & A.F.1 & on to the Ranch. A few miles…

Ronald Reagan's white house diaries for the day of 04-03-1988

Sunday, April 3, 1988

Easter & there was a rabbit out on the lawn when we sat down for breakfast. It’s also the first day of daylight saving. Another ride—then Dennis & I (after lunch) went back…

Sunday, April 19, 1981

A beautiful Easter morning. In the afternoon Rev. Louis Evans & his wife called and brought us communion. They made it a most meaningful day. Watched some T.V. in bed and saw…

Ronald Reagan's white house diaries for the day of 04-05-1985

Friday, April 5, 1985

9 A.M. coffee with Sens. Dole & Domenici & Friedersdorf & Don R. & Dave Stockman to thank them for the budget compromise. Then Marine 1 & A.F.1 & on to the Ranch. A few miles…

Ronald Reagan's white house diaries for the day of 04-04-1983

Monday, April 4, 1983

Big thing of this day was the traditional Easter Egg roll. Nancy & I went out on the lawn at 11 A.M.—there were more than 30,000 people—mainly children. Then I had to go back…

Baseball, the Dodgers, and America’s Pastime

Ronald Reagan's white house diaries for the day of 04-02-1984

Monday, April 2, 1984

It’s Cherry Blossom Time—56 Princesses from our states & territorys accompanied by the Queen & the Japanese Queen came to the Rose Garden to announce that fact. Then the…

Ronald Reagan's white house diaries for the day of 04-07-1986

Monday, April 7, 1986

Staff time spent largely on terrorism & the latest info. Learned only 1 of our mil.—a soldier named Ford was killed. Then Bill Casey, Geo. S., Bill Taft + Admiral Crowe etc.…

Wednesday, October 26, 1988

Connie Mack wants me for Fla. again. I may have to try & offer a tape or something. The schedule looks like Fla. is impossible. I approved a replacement for Gary Bauer—Fran…

Wednesday, October 12, 1983

N.S.C. & more on the Arms negotiations. Rumor has it the Soviets may take a walk in a last effort to sway pub. opinion in Europe. Some on our side want us to come up with an…

Saturday, October 15, 1988

And Nancy is off again, this time to L.A. to throw out the 1st ball tonite as the World Series starts. A leisurely morning here & then my radiocast—this time on who is…

Government Spending & Efficiency

Ronald Reagan's white house diaries for the day of 12-03-1984

Monday, December 3, 1984

Asst. Sec. Crocker who has been doing a great job in Africa shuttling between S. Africa & Angola came in to report. It looks like progress is being made in a most difficult…

Ronald Reagan's white house diaries for the day of 02-27-1983

Sunday, February 27, 1983

St. Dinner tonite for Nat. Gov’s. Conf. Watched them this afternoon on T.V. A half dozen Dem gov’s. kept sounding off on how our programs were unfair & favored the…

Ronald Reagan's white house diaries for the day of 12-15-1981

Tuesday, December 15, 1981

Just up from the 2nd Christmas party. It was a success & every one seemed to have a warm, wonderful time. Nancy has her wish—it is snowing. Today was a tough one—2 major…

Monday, January 3, 1983

It was hard to get up. The usual staff & N.S.C. meetings then free time to catch up on memos & some mail. An issues lunch—nothing startling. Got calls from leaders of House &…

Ronald Reagan's white house diaries for the day of 09-08-1981

Tuesday, September 8, 1981

Back on schedule—9 A.M. in the office. First of what will be several budget meetings. Hi interest rates are going to force more budget cuts or we wont meet our 82, 83 & 84…

Tuesday, March 15, 1983

Met with Pete Domenici & Howard Baker. Howard said he’d failed to get Pete to delay budget markup in committee until after Easter. We want to delay to see if we cant find a…

After The Assassination Attempt

Following the assassination attempt on his life in March 1981, President Reagan was miraculously back at work soon after being shot.

Wednesday, April 1, 1981

My day to address the Bldg. & Const. Trades Nat. Conf. A.F.L.-C.I.O. at the Hilton Ballroom—2 P.M. Was all dressed to go & for some reason at the last min. took off my really…

Ronald Reagan's white house diaries for the day of 04-13-1981

Monday, April 13, 1981

I’m beginning to have a work schedule. We meet in the mornings in the treaty room. It feels good to be whittling at the problems. Afternoon is still nap time and bed time…

Ronald Reagan's white house diaries for the day of 04-14-1981

Tuesday, April 14, 1981

Our astronauts landed and what a thrill that was. I’m more & more convinced that Americans are hungering to feel proud & patriotic again. The circus came to town and paraded…

Ronald Reagan's white house diaries for the day of 04-15-1981

Wednesday, April 15, 1981

Met with our returning Sec’s. of State & Defense. They are greatly encouraged that our allies have a new feeling of confidence in us. Nancy recv’d. a call from the Queen of…

Ronald Reagan's white house diaries for the day of 04-16-1981

Thursday, April 16, 1981

Met with Sec. Gen. of N.A.T.O.—Luns. He recalled our meeting with N.A.T.O. high command in 1972 Brussels. He confirms the new spirit of N.A.T.O. and believes we can get Spain…

Life On The Ranch

Rancho del Ciello was always a respite from Washington for the Reagans.

Ronald Reagan's white house diaries for the day of 11-26-1981

Thursday, November 26, 1981

Fell right into the routine—horse backing in the A.M., work in the afternoons except a couple of times when it rained. Then Tues. of course was the Barbara Walters interview…

Ronald Reagan's white house diaries for the day of 11-24-1981

Tuesday, November 24, 1981

Fell right into the routine—horse backing in the A.M., work in the afternoons except a couple of times when it rained. Then Tues. of course was the Barbara Walters interview…

Ronald Reagan's white house diaries for the day of 02-14-1988

Sunday, February 14, 1988

And a beautiful day it was—sunny and warm. We rode in the morning—took it easy. After lunch with Dennis & Barney out on the patio. Then in P.M. went up on Mt. Rhino for more…

Ronald Reagan's white house diaries for the day of 02-15-1988

Monday, February 15, 1988

Another beautiful day and we wont be alone. Ray Stark is doing a documentary on Nancy (I’m a supporting player). They are up here to get our ranch routine—pictures of us…

Ronald Reagan's white house diaries for the day of 02-16-1988

Tuesday, February 16, 1988

Our last full day—and beautiful. A morning ride—Nancy along this time. Lunch on the patio with Dennis & Barney. Then D. & B. & I back up on Mt. Rhino to our pruning.…

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