Saturday, February 06, 2010

February 6, 1911: President Reagan born in Tampico, Illinois

The greatest president in my lifetime, Ronald Wilson Reagan, was born on the second floor of the First National Bank building in the tiny town of Tampico, Illinois on this day 99 years ago.

Among the events today will be a program at the Reagan Library in California, which will include a speech by Reagan cabinet member Elizabeth Dole. A military band will perform, and there will be a 21 gun salute to our 40th president. The ceremony can be seen on a webcast from 1:30pm to 3:30pm Eastern.

Back in Illinois, the Gipper's son Michael is visiting my state's Reagan Country. Yesterday he spoke to the Eureka College Reagan scholars in Peoria. Eureka is Ronald Reagan's alma mater, Michael is a trustee there. Today Michael will visit his father's birthplace and his boyhood home in Dixon for the first time.

Meanwhile, plans are underway for Reagan's centennial celebration. I plan to return to Tampico that day.

Related posts:

Midwestern Presidential Pathway: Tampico, Ronald Reagan's birthplace

Midwestern Presidential Pathway: Dixon, a shining city upon a hill

Midwestern Presidential Pathway: Ronald Reagan's Dixon, Illinois

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