REAGAN CHRONOLOGY

The following are key dates in the life of Ronald Reagan:

Feb. 6, 1911: Born in Tampico, Ill., the younger of two sons of Nelle and John Reagan.

1932: Graduates from Eureka College, Eureka, Ill.

1932-1937: Works as radio announcer at WOC, Davenport, Iowa, and then WHO, Des Moines.

1937: Makes film debut with “Love Is on the Air.”

Jan. 26, 1940: Marries Jane Wyman, actress. Children: Maureen, born 1941; adopted son Michael, born 1945; and Christine, born four months premature in 1947 and died the next day. Marriage ends in divorce in 1949.

1940: Plays “the Gipper” in “Knute Rockne: All-American,” one of his best-known roles.

1942-45: Serves war effort by making air force training films.

1947: Becomes president of the Screen Actors Guild.

March 4, 1952. Marries Nancy Davis, actress. Children: Patti, born 1952; and Ronald, born 1958.

1952, 1956, 1960: Though a Democrat, campaigns for Republicans Dwight D. Eisenhower, Richard Nixon. Formally switches to Republican Party in 1962.

1954-62: Works as host and performer on General Electric Theater, tours as speaker for GE.

Oct. 27, 1964: Gives influential speech in favor of GOP presidential candidate Arizona Sen. Barry Goldwater.

Nov. 8, 1966: Elected California governor over incumbent Democrat Edmund G. “Pat” Brown.

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