Reagan Assassination Attempt

Reagan Assassination Attempt

The 30^th Anniversary: Reagan’s Near Assassination

Reagan Assassination Attempt

Just 69 days into his presidency, President Ronald Reagan walked out of a hotel into a hail of bullets. For the 30^th anniversary of the assassination attempt, a new nonfiction book gives a narrative timeline of the harrowing events. Or, you can take a searchable scroll through the time-stamped history here.

Scroll down to read about:

John Hinckley Jr.

James Brady

Thomas Delahanty

John Hinckley Jr.

Sunday, March 29, 1981

John Hinckley Jr. arrived in Washington, D.C., by Greyhound bus from another state. In what newspaper did Hinckley read about President Reagan’s next-day schedule?

Ronald Reagan

Monday, March 30, 1981

Time: 1:45 p.m.

Ronald Reagan arrived at the Washington Hilton for a luncheon speech before 3,500 conference attendees. What was the organization?

James Brady

Monday, March 30, 1981

Time: 2:27 p.m.

John Hinckley fired six shots. The first bullet hit James Brady in the head, partially paralyzing the White House press secretary. What type of gun did Hinckley use?

Thomas Delahanty

Monday, March 30, 1981

Time: 2:27:02 p.m.

John Hinckley’s second bullet hit Thomas Delahanty in the back. The spinal injury damaged nerves in his left arm, forcing his retirement from this Washington, D.C., department. Surgeons wore bulletproof vests to remove what type of ammunition?

Timothy McCarthy

Monday, March 30, 1981

Time: 2:27:03 p.m.

John Hinckley’s third bullet hit a window across the street. The fourth bullet hit Secret Service Agent Timothy McCarthy in the abdomen as he shielded Reagan from the line of fire. Where does McCarthy work as police chief today?

Jerry Parr

Monday, March 30, 1981

Time: 2:27:05 p.m.

John Hinckley’s fifth bullet hit the waiting limousine’s window. Special Agent in Charge Jerry Parr pushed Reagan into the car as the last bullet ricocheted off the armored door. What degree did Parr earn from Loyola University after he retired from the Secret Service?

George Washington University Hospital

Monday, March 30, 1981

Time: 2:30 p.m.

On Jerry Parr’s directive, the limo driver went to the nearest trauma center instead of the usual presidential facility. At George Washington University Hospital, Reagan walked into the emergency room but collapsed. What was wrong with the president?

Alfred Antenucci

Monday, March 30, 1981

Time: Before 2:35 p.m.

Midwest union official Alfred Antenucci pulled Hinckley to the ground after the shooting stopped. What was his home state?

Nancy Reagan

Monday, March 30, 1981

Time: 2:40 p.m.

First lady Nancy Reagan  arrived at the hospital while her husband was still in the emergency room. Who was the president evoking when he told her: “Honey, I forgot to duck”?

John F. Kennedy

Monday, March 30, 1981

Time: Roughly 3 p.m.

Reagan’s White House staff and cabinet met in the West Wing’s Situation Room to discuss the shooting. The ground-level space was created by President Kennedy after what strategic failure?

Johnny Carson

Monday, March 30, 1981

Time: Roughly 3 p.m.

With the Reagan shooting dominating the airwaves, producers postponed the 53^rd Academy Awards show hosted by Johnny Carson. The next night all the acting award winners were under 40, but who was the youngest in the bunch?

Fred Fielding

Monday, March 30, 1981

Time: Roughly 3 p.m.

Although never used in the Reagan shooting, White House Counsel Fred Fielding prepared for the transfer of presidential power based on what constitutional amendment?

Alexander Haig

Monday, March 30, 1981

Time: 4 p.m.

During an impromptu press conference at the White House, Secretary of State Alexander Haig took the podium. What was the quote that haunted his career thereafter?

Dr. Benjamin Aaron

Monday, March 30, 1981

Time: 5 p.m.

During Reagan’s emergency surgery at George Washington University Hospital, Dr. Benjamin Aaron located the sixth bullet. The chief of thoracic surgery found the flattened, dime-shaped round one inch from what organ?

Shawnee Indian Chief Tecumseh

Monday, March 30, 1981

Time: Roughly 5:40 p.m.

Conspiracy buffs reignited Shawnee Indian Chief Tecumseh’s Curse of Tippecanoe and its connection to the eerie deaths of presidents elected in years ending in zero. What zero-factor president did Tecumseh have a serious problem with?

George H. W. Bush

Monday, March 30, 1981

Time: 6:40 p.m.

Vice President Bush  arrived at Andrews Air Force Base within hours of Reagan’s shooting.  He was contacted on board Air Force Two, which was flying over which  city at the time?

Jodie Foster

Monday, March 30, 1981

Time: 7 p.m.

During Hinckley’s interview with federal agents, he talked for the first time about Jodie Foster. Shortly thereafter, the agents discovered his deranged obsession with the movie star. At what collegiate institution did he stalk her?

Jimmy Carter

Monday, March 30, 1981

Time: Around 8 p.m.

Federal agents realized John Hinckley Jr. had been stalking President Carter in October 1980, when he was arrested for carrying a firearm. At the time, no one connected the airport arrest to the president’s pending appearance. What was the city?

Bobby Knight

Monday, March 30, 1981

Time: 8:15 p.m.

Although NCAA officials were concerned about the Reagan shooting, the men’s basketball championship game started as planned between the Indiana Hoosiers coached by Bobby Knight and this sports powerhouse. Who was the Most Outstanding Player?

W.C. Fields

Monday, March 30, 1981

Time: 8:50 p.m.

After his surgery, President Reagan was unable to talk because of the ventilator but maintained his sense of humor. Borrowing from legendary satirical funnyman W.C. Fields, he scribbled on a notepad for a nurse: “All in all, I’d rather be in …” What was the city?

St. Elizabeth’s Hospital

June 26, 1982

On 13 federal offenses, John Hinckley Jr. was found not guilty by reason of insanity and sentenced indefinitely to the St. Elizabeth’s Hospital in Washington, D.C. Public outrage at the verdict resulted in what federal law?

Sarah Brady

Nov. 30, 1993

Sarah Brady  became a tireless advocate for gun control after her husband, James, was injured in the Reagan shooting. The principal result of their labor occurred when the Brady handgun law was signed. What president signed it?

 

Source:Specials

More about → Reagan Assassination Attempt

Before They Were Famous

Before They Were Famous

Before They Were Famous

Oh sure, they’re household names now. But everyone has to pay their dues. Check out the surprising first roles of some of Hollywood’s biggest stars

Ben Affleck

Long before he was an Oscar winner for this film, a pre-teen Ben starred in the educational series “Voyage of the Mimi” in 1984. He recently directed and starred in this critically acclaimed film.

Jennifer Aniston

Before she was a favorite on this TV show or known for her high-profile romance with this A-list star, Jennifer starred in the critical bomb “Leprechaun”. That was two years before she became a household name.

Jennifer Lopez

When she was just Jenny From the Block, before she was an international star, Jennifer made her debut with a small role in “My Little Girl”. She also was a Fly Girl on "In Living Color" with another familiar face.

Tom Cruise

The high-profile star played a small role in 1981’s “Endless Love”, which starred this well-known actress, whom he famously criticized many years later.

Sylvester Stallone

Sly’s first role won’t go down as a cinematic achievement. “The Party at Kitty and Stud’s” was re-released after the actor’s star rose dramatically with this film. Upon re-release, it was called “The Italian Stallion.”

Keira Knightley

Blink and you’ll miss her, or you’ll think she’s Natalie Portman in her non-speaking role in this film. She was hired specifically for her resemblance to Portman. She was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actress in 2005 for this film.

Tom Hanks

Even two-time Oscar winners for Best Actor had to start somewhere. Tom starred on this TV series at the same time the made-for-TV movie “Mazes & Monsters” was released.

Angelina Jolie

Her first role was in a film with her father called “Lookin’ to Get Out” when she was 6 years old, and her first major role came in “Cyborg 2” at age 17. (Watch clips.) Check out her other films.

Naomi Watts

Known for her dramatic roles in acclaimed films like “21 Grams” and “Mulholland Drive,” it’s a surprise that one of her first roles was in this horror flick, based on a book by Stephen King.

Denzel Washington

This Oscar winner started out humbly enough, in a 1977 TV movie called “Wilma”. Just nine years later, he won his first Academy Award for a role in this film.

John Travolta

Before “Saturday Night Fever” and “Grease,” Travolta’s movie debut came in the laughably bad “The Devil’s Rain.” It’s nice to know there’s life after a film where most of the cast is melted by Satan.

Evangeline Lilly

When she was cast as the female lead in this popular TV series, most wondered where she came from. We have the answer. She made her debut in this advertisement. Really.

Hilary Swank

This Oscar winner got her start with a single line of dialogue in the original “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” movie. She also put her role on this TV series far, far behind her.

Brad Pitt
A lot of people consider this film Brad’s big debut. But no, it was the 1989 film “Cutting Class.” This low-budget slasher flick was the world’s first glimpse of the future Mr. Jolie.


Source: Specials

More about → Before They Were Famous