32 years ago today, Reagan was shot, inches from the heart. Kept his humor & optimism. Showed what he was made of.
— Dan McLaughlin (@baseballcrank) March 30, 2013
On March 30, 1981, Ronald Reagan was wounded in an assassination attempt outside the Washington Hilton Hotel.
Thirty-two years ago today, only 70 days into his Presidency, Ronald Reagan narrowly escaped assassination: pic.twitter.com/X7MVNu1QLY
— Michael Beschloss (@BeschlossDC) March 30, 2013
more dire than many thot mt“@BeschlossDC: 32 yrs ago today, only 70 days into his Presidency, Ronald Reagan narrowly escaped assassination.
— Del Quentin Wilber (@DelWilber) March 30, 2013
30 March 1981. US President Ronald Reagan was shot and wounded in Washington DC by John Hinckley. pic.twitter.com/nKto2YE5Uu
— Professor Frank McDonough (@FXMC1957) March 30, 2013
Remember the Reagan shooting vividly (I was in 4th grade). TV told us Brady was dead. Pope shot a few months later.
— Dan McLaughlin (@baseballcrank) March 30, 2013
@baseballcrank I was working in a Radio Shack (junior in college) when Reagan was shot, we had TVs on and we were glued to them
— DaveinTexas (@DaveinTexas) March 30, 2013
“@MilitaryChannel: President Reagan is shot #OnThisDay in 1981.” I was sitting in 8th grade history class and we had watched his speech
— Kris (@drgnflydreams21) March 30, 2013
Del Quentin Wilber is the author of “Rawhide Down,” a bestselling account of the attempted assassination.
Recommended
.@DelWilber's riveting page turner is the definitive read on the assassination attempt against Reagan. http://t.co/ijF1TdNt9V
— Glen Asbury (@glenasbury) March 30, 2013
Wilber took to Twitter to share details about that terrifying day and how close we came to losing President Reagan just 70 days into his presidency.
The attempted assassination of Pres. Reagan occurred 32 years ago tomr. Life spared by an inch, a split second and a split-second decision.
— Del Quentin Wilber (@DelWilber) March 29, 2013
3/30/81, #Reagan had just addressed officials in East Room. Quoted Thomas Paine: "We have it in our power to begin the world over again."
— Del Quentin Wilber (@DelWilber) March 30, 2013
He next had an Oval Office staff meeting with his Troika (who?). Reagan did not remove his suit jacket. Respected office too much.
— Del Quentin Wilber (@DelWilber) March 30, 2013
At 9:15 a.m. he had a call with German Chancellor. Serious concerns abt Polish labor unrest and poss Soviet military intervention. #coldwar
— Del Quentin Wilber (@DelWilber) March 30, 2013
David Broder, respected @washingtonpost reporter, said Reagan's actions on 3/30/81 made him "politically untouchable from that point on."
— Del Quentin Wilber (@DelWilber) March 30, 2013
I think my favorite detail from 3/30/81 was that a surgical intern held the president's beating heart in his hands. #reagan #tcot #history
— Del Quentin Wilber (@DelWilber) March 30, 2013
For more information about the assassination attempt: http://t.co/dkxLyRfzFu or http://t.co/XQDzwvdRkL (docs, photos, interviews).
— Del Quentin Wilber (@DelWilber) March 30, 2013
Jerry Parr, agent who saved Reagan's life, was inspired to join Secret Service after watching a movie as 9 yr old.
— Del Quentin Wilber (@DelWilber) March 30, 2013
Hinckley loaded his .22-cal Saturday Night Special with "Devastator" bullets, which explode on impact.
— Del Quentin Wilber (@DelWilber) March 30, 2013
In Hinckley's suitcase, feds discovered this book: "Ted Bundy: The Killer Next Door."
— Del Quentin Wilber (@DelWilber) March 30, 2013
Hinckley had stalked Jimmy Carter, too, coming within arm's reach at event in Dayton in '80 campaign. But had left guns at bus depot.
— Del Quentin Wilber (@DelWilber) March 30, 2013
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