Early life of Ronald Reagan

On February 6, 1911, Ronald Wilson Reagan was born to Nelle and John Reagan in Tampico, Illinois. He attended high school in nearby Dixon and then worked his way through Eureka College. There, he studied economics and sociology, played on the football team, and acted in school plays

Photograph of Ronald Reagan (with "Dutch boy" haircut) Neil Reagan (brother) and Parents Jack and Nelle Reagan, ca. 1914

Collection RR-WHPO: White House Photographic Collection, 01/20/1981 - 01/20/1989. The National Archives and Records Administration NLS-WHPO-A-H14(3).

The 1927 Dixon, IL High School Junior Class presentation of the play "You and I" by Barry. Ronald Reagan, playing the part of Roderick White, is shown in the top photo seated on couch, and in the bottom photo, kneeling - second from right. Reagan played opposite Margaret Cleaver who had the female role of Veronica Duane. (Photo: AP)

Ronald Reagan stands on the diving board in the Little 19 (Illinois private colleges) swim meet held at St. Viator in this March 22, 1930 file photo. (Photo: AP)

Ronald Reagan poses in his life guard uniform in the summer of his sophomore year at Eureka College in Peoria, Il, in this 1931 file photo. (Photo: AP)

The Broadcaster

Des Moines radio broadcaster Ronald Reagan is ready at the microphone at "WHO" in 1937. That was the year Wheaties had a contest for the best baseball broadcaster of the Midwest area. Reagan won. His prize was a trip to Hollywood. (Photo: AP)

To be completed . . .