19-Jan: Today in History

January 19, 2007 · Filed Under todayinhistory

Jan 19, 1981: The United States and Iran signed an agreement for the release of 52 Americans held hostage for more than 14 months.

I Say: This agreement paved the way for the actual release of the hostages minutes after Ronald Reagan’s inauguration as the 40th President of the United States. I remember the late 70’s, and the Carter Administration’s inability to effect either hope or change. Even for me, a 13 y/o 8th grader, Reagan’s “Morning in America” was real. It meant something. He gave us hope — hope that “malaise” was not our unavoidable destiny. It was an interesting time to live in Macomb County, MI — birthplace of the “Reagan Democrats”…

For me, Ronald Reagan shall always be the embodiment of being “Presidential”. I consider myself very fortunate to have come of age, going through both high school and college, during the 1980’s lifespan of the Reagan Administration.

-ghp
(also, on Jan 19, 1939, Marilyn Esther Jones was born — an event of epic significance for me & bigsis! Happy Birthday, Mama!)