Saturday, the 5th, we drove to Simi Valley.
One of the things on my list for our trip was to see a presidential library.
There are 15 official presidential libraries (including Obama’s that is not open yet). Every president since Herbert Hoover (1929-1933) has a presidential library in which documents, gifts (gaver), and artifacts (genstande), that relate to the president’s life and career, are kept. The part that is open to the public is more like a museum.
We have been close to quite a few of them, but I knew that since I was only going to see one, it had to be The Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum in Simi Valley, California. 😊
I know that my choice will not please all of our liberal family and friends in Minnesota 😊 (Liberal = til venstre for midten, men midten i USA ligger et sted mellem Venstre og Konservative i Danmark).
Ronald Reagan won 44 states (ud af 50) in 1980. He won 49 states when he was reelected (genvalgt) in 1984. The one state he did not win in either election was: Minnesota.
The museum told the whole story: Growing up in Dixon, Illinois. His first job in the media world as a sports announcer (sportskommentator), at a small radio station in Des Moines, Iowa. His film career in Hollywood. Getting married to Nancy (Davis). His entering into politics. His two terms as governor of the state of California. And not least, his two terms as president of the United States of America.
Lots of artifacts, and statues 😊 and lots of movies.
The plane becomes Air Force One when the president is on board.
This plane, a Boeing 707, was the primary plane for Nixon, Ford, Carter, Reagan and H.W. Bush.
In 1990 it moved down to being the backup plane, when a Boeing 747 was received.
It was taken out of operation in 2001 and given to the Reagan Library. Boeing took it apart, transported it to Simi Valley, where it was put together again and put on display.
There was a true copy of the Oval Office during Reagan’s presidency, with a number of original artifacts.
Reagan had what it took to come across as a leader, not least because of his phenomenal talent for communication.
He was able to speak to the nation, so it felt like he was addressing each and every one individually.
Early on in his life, he earned the nickname: “The Great Communicator”.
A speech card used at the The Brandenbrug Gate Speech in Berlin with the famous words:
"Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall". There was also a piece of the Berlin wall on display.
Reagan had the guts (mod) to stand fast against the Soviet Union, the same way as Churchill had what it took during World War II. Surrender was never an option.
There is no doubt in my mind that Ronald Reagan, in due time, will be rated among the most important presidents in the history of the U.S, once the historians take over and set aside emotions and look at facts (all the other top ones weren’t 100% successful either, even though we sometimes get that impression).
What I don’t understand: It took 5 years to carve the 4 faces on Mount Rushmore ( de 4 presidenthoveder hugget i bjerget). Reagan has been dead for almost 14 years. Why isn’t he up there yet ?? 😊
A very interesting day, and I am glad I put it on my list.
Written by JJ
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