Whether or not you agree with his politics, US President Ronald Reagan's bravery as a young man has led many people to consider him a true American hero. During his seven summers as a lifeguard, he was credited with rescuing 77 people from drowning deaths. Starting in 1926 at age 15, Reagan began working as a lifeguard in Dixon, Illinois. He continued each summer up until he graduated from Eureka College in 1932 with a degree in Economics and Sociology. After that, he stopped working as a summer lifeguard and got a full time job as a sports broadcaster for a radio station in Davenport, Iowa.
More about Ronald Reagan:
- Before he entered politics, Reagan had been a successful actor for over 20 years. Reagan appeared in 53 motion pictures and served as President of the Screen Actors Guild from 1947 to 1952 and from 1959 to 1960.
- Reagan is the only US President to have ever been divorced. First Lady Nancy Reagan was his second wife; they married in 1952 after Reagan's first marriage to actress Jane Wyman ended in 1948.
- A 6,000-pound (2,721.55 kg) section of Germany’s Berlin Wall was given to Reagan in honor of his efforts to persuade Soviet and East German officials to tear down the wall.
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More Info: National Public Radio
Discussion Comments
Very informative post from two perspectives: Knowing about a successful, heroic president's private life, and also about the English in which it has been written.---Dr. Naquib
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