RR and the shot

One for the Memory Lane, 30 years ago today:
Shots fired at President Ronald Reagan



I had just moved from California to New York City a fortnight before, to start work at the (German) Commerzbank, when on this day 30 years ago a deranged John Hinckley fired five shots at President Reagan on his 69th day in office. The president was hit once, a bullet piercing his lungs which caused massive internal bleeding. Also severely wounded was White House press spokesman Brady and another WH staff member.

It was a miserable, rainy wind-swept day, and the commute home after work treacherous and gridlock. It was surreal to hear the News Flash bell of the Dow Jones news ticker at my desk, and the electrifying words, "REAGAN SHOT, CONDITION UNKNOWN". The impact immediately reverberated throughout the financial markets: stocks plunging, stock exchange swiftly shut down and the dollar being sold against other major currencies - part of MY job at the time too...

As we know, Reagan (barely) survived, his jovial attitude and larger-than-life composure never waning despite a life-threatening wound. The four presidents previously shot all died, but not Ronnie. And by many accounts, including mine, Ronald Reagan went on to become the greatest president since FDR.

Chaos outside the Washington Hilton Hotel after the assassination attempt on President Reagan. Brady and Thomas Delahanty lie wounded on the ground, Reagan already in the limousine.

Press Secretary James Brady was hit in the forehead and after emergency surgery was left paralysed, with loss of memory and slurred speech. It took several more operations and years of therapy until Mr Brady can walk again and regained speech and memory.

President Reagan retained the gravely wounded Brady as Press Spokesman throughout the 8 year presidency, and appointed Larry Speakes and Marlin Fitzwater respectively as "acting press spokesman."