The two big events that marked the beginning of Ronald Reagan's presidency were:
1. Assassination Attempt: On March 30, 1981, just 69 days into his presidency, President Reagan was shot and wounded in an assassination attempt by John Hinckley Jr. outside a Washington, D.C. hotel. This event had a significant impact on Reagan's presidency and the country.
2. Iran Hostages: The Iran Hostage Crisis began on November 4, 1979, during the presidency of Jimmy Carter but extended into Reagan's presidency. It involved 52 American diplomats and citizens being held hostage for 444 days by Iranian revolutionaries in the U.S. Embassy in Tehran. Reagan's efforts to secure their release were a major focus during the early days of his administration.
These two events, the assassination attempt and the ongoing Iran Hostage Crisis, were significant challenges that Reagan faced at the start of his presidency and had lasting effects on his administration.
