On this day March 30 1981 U.S. President Ronald Reagan was shot in the chest by John Hinckley Jr. outside the Washington Hilton Hotel in Washington D.C. The assassination attempt shocked the nation and led to a wave of support for the president as he recovered.
Hinckley opened fire as Reagan was leaving a speaking engagement, injuring the president along with Press Secretary James Brady, Secret Service agent Tim McCarthy, and D.C. police officer Thomas Delahanty. Reagan was rushed to the hospital and underwent emergency surgery. He made a full recovery and returned to work weeks later. The motive behind the shooting stunned many. Hinckley claimed he carried out the attack in a disturbed attempt to impress actress Jodie Foster, whom he had become obsessed with after seeing the film Taxi Driver.
Fun fact: Reagan is often remembered for his sense of humor even in crisis his first words to his surgeons were reportedly “I hope you're all Republicans.”
Trivia question: What movie inspired John Hinckley Jr. and fueled his obsession with Jodie Foster?
Hinckley opened fire as Reagan was leaving a speaking engagement, injuring the president along with Press Secretary James Brady, Secret Service agent Tim McCarthy, and D.C. police officer Thomas Delahanty. Reagan was rushed to the hospital and underwent emergency surgery. He made a full recovery and returned to work weeks later. The motive behind the shooting stunned many. Hinckley claimed he carried out the attack in a disturbed attempt to impress actress Jodie Foster, whom he had become obsessed with after seeing the film Taxi Driver.
Fun fact: Reagan is often remembered for his sense of humor even in crisis his first words to his surgeons were reportedly “I hope you're all Republicans.”
Trivia question: What movie inspired John Hinckley Jr. and fueled his obsession with Jodie Foster?
