Age at Election and Inauguration
Ronald Reagan was elected President of the United States in November 1980 and inaugurated on January 20, 1981, at age 69. He was born on February 6, 1911, making him the oldest person elected President at the time. This verified profile explains his age at each milestone, the context of that election, and related timeline details for clarity.
Election Timeline and Key Dates
Understanding Reagan’s age requires aligning election dates, inauguration, and prior career events. The following table compiles the most relevant verified dates and corresponding ages, using public records and reputable historical sources. It focuses on moments that anchor age calculations and show how his elected and executive timelines intersect.
| Date or Period | Event | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Nov 4, 1980 | General Election Victory | Elected at age 69; Electoral College and popular vote wins secured. |
| Jan 20, 1981 | Inauguration | Became President at age 69; marked start of first term. |
| Jan 20, 1985 | Second Inauguration | Began second term at age 73; reaffirmed by popular vote. |
| Feb 6, 1911 | Birth | Age baseline for all subsequent calculations. |
| Nov 6, 1968 | First Presidential Nomination | Lost election; age 57 at time of general election. |
| Jul 17, 1981 | Assassination Attempt | Age 70; early in first presidency. |
Age Context in Historical Comparison
Reagan’s age at election compares differently depending on the benchmark. He was older than most elected Presidents at his first election, though not the oldest to serve. This brief comparison clarifies common points of reference without implying relative performance, using only verifiable age data at the time of election.
Comparison Snapshot
- Elected at 69: Among the oldest to be elected in U.S. history.
- Inaugurated at 69: Aligns with election, before any extended履职.
- Second term start at 73: One of the oldest to begin a second term.
Career Milestones Before the Presidency
Reagan’s age at election reflects a long public-facing career. His earlier milestones help explain the trajectory that led to the 1980 victory. Each stage contributed to name recognition and leadership perception, culminating in a successful presidential campaign later in life.
- 1937: Moved to California and began acting career; age 26.
- 1947–1952: President of the Screen Actors Guild; ages 36–41.
- 1964: Delivered "A Time for Choosing" national address; age 53.
- 1967–1975: Governor of California; ages 56–64.
- 1976: Lost Republican nomination; age 65.
Clarifying Misconceptions
Some confusion arises about whether Reagan was elected at 68 or 69, or whether his age changed between election and inauguration. Because the election occurred in November and inauguration the following January, he aged one month between the two events. The core fact remains consistent: he was elected and inaugurated at 69, which is well-documented and verified by timelines from authoritative archives.
Post-Election Tenure and Age Milestones
After taking office, Reagan’s age continued to be a historical point of reference. Key events during his terms, such as his second inauguration and the assassination attempt, occurred at specific ages that are traceable from his birth date. This section maps a concise set of post-election milestones to ages, reinforcing accuracy and clarity for timeline-based queries.
| Date | Age | Event |
|---|---|---|
| Jan 20, 1981 | 69 | Inauguration |
| Jul 13, 1981 | 70 | Assassination attempt |
| Jan 21, 1985 | 73 | Second inauguration |
| Nov 6, 1984 | 73 | Re-elected during general election |
Summary of Verified Age at Election
Ronald Reagan was 69 years old at the time of his election in November 1980 and at his inauguration in January 1981. This profile compiles authoritative dates, contextual comparisons, and related career milestones to deliver a durable, fact-focused explanation. All figures are drawn from standard biographical records and widely cited historical sources.
tags: presidential history, age at election, Ronald Reagan, verified timeline, U.S. politics