Timeline of the presidency of Ronald Reagan

January

• January 20 — President Ronald Reagan and Vice President George H. W. Bush take the Oath of Office.^[1] The Iran hostage crisis ends minutes after the swearing-in with the release of the 52 Americans held hostage for the past 444 days.^[2] Reagan is notified of the release in his first presidential national security briefing and announces the release during a luncheon following his inauguration on Capitol Hill.^[3] Reagan, in his first official act as President and less than hour after being sworn-in, imposes a hiring freeze which President Reagan says will inevitably lead to reduction of a notable quantity in the federal work force and he himself will permit rare exemptions when vital to maintaining services.^[4]
• January 21 - The cabinet of the Reagan administration meets for the first time officially, during which President Reagan declares his priorities will be reduction of the government's size and controlling the federal budget. President Reagan attends the swearing-in of 39 senior White House aides; President Reagan tells the aides to make decisions with the intent of what is good for Americans instead of what may land another position for them. President Reagan speaks with former President Carter ahead of the latter arriving in West Germany.^[5] Reagan administration officials state there will be several days' worth of examinations made on the negotiations of the Iran hostage crisis.^[6]
• January 22 - President Reagan releases a memo to federal government and agency heads ordering a travel reduction by 15%, an outside professional services cut by 5%, and a furniture and other equipment purchase moratorium.^[7] Alexander Haig is sworn in as the 59th United States Secretary of State.^[8]
• January 23 - James Edwards is sworn in as the 3rd United States Secretary of Energy.
• January 25 - President Reagan spends an hour meeting with families of hostages in the Iran hostage crisis, not permitting television or radio coverage. Reagan addresses the families and denies he will be attending the reunion of the hostages and their family members: "You don't need any outsiders. This is a moment for you and them."^[9]
• January 28 - Secretary of Energy Edwards tells reporters that he doubts the prices of gas will be increased much by the immediate deconstruction, though concedes prices could increase by 3 to 5 cents per gallon.^[10]
• January 29 - Reagan holds his first presidential press conference, during which he critiques the Soviet Union as having leaders that "reserve the right to commit any crime, to lie, to cheat" in a sought revolution.^[11]
• January 30 - The White House announces that President Reagan has placed the entirety of his assets barring his two homes into a blind trust for the purpose of avoiding financial compensation for his choices during his tenure in office.^[12] Though State Department official William J. Dyess does not confirm the existence of a letter by Secretary of State Haig warning the Soviet Union intervention in Poland could strain its relations with the US, another official validates.^[13]

February

• February 1 - White House Chief of Staff James Baker says the Reagan administration inherited the worst economy in 50 years, that it will be the number one "priority of the administration" and that President Reagan will explain the economy in a televised speech in four days during an appearance on Face the Nation.^[14] The Soviet press accuse President Reagan of a "lies and hypocrisy" campaign regarding terrorist support from Kremlin.^[15]
• February 2 - President Reagan is interviewed by five publications in the Oval Office, asserting the Carter administration was wrong for negotiating with Iran during the hostage crisis.^[16] Sources report President Reagan is considering 1982's fiscal year having a budget cut of between 30 and 40 million.^[17]
• February 3 - Raymond Donovan is confirmed as United States Secretary of Labor.^[18] Secretary of Defense Weinberger holds the first news conference at the Pentagon since taking office, stating his consideration of the deployment of the nuclear warhead.^[19]
• February 4 - President Reagan announces the nomination of Seeley Lodwick to be Under Secretary of Agriculture for International Affairs and Commodity Program and the appointments of Stephen M. Studdert as Special Assistant to the President and Director of the Advance Office and Robert B. Carleson as Special Assistant to the President for Policy Development.^[20]
• February 5 - President Reagan has a televised address, saying in part that the US is in risk of "economic calamity" that can only be prevented with Congress adopting the administration's tax and spending cuts as well as regulatory reform.^[21]
• February 6 - The Senate approves a bill by President Reagan giving federal borrowing a raise by 985 billion USD.^[22]
• February 7 - President Reagan issues a memorandum on the budget for the 1982 fiscal year.^[23]
• February 9 - Secretary of Transportation Lewis chooses to seek a one-year postponing of the passenger restraint rule.^[24]
• February 10 - Department of Justice officials detail policies that will be implemented with the passing of a legislative proposal including a tighter bail law, forming new ways to help crime victims, and federal jurisdictions being developed over crimes that are traditionally handled by authorities of the state.^[25]
• February 11 - Chief State Department spokesman William Dyess reports that the Reagan administration is "deeply concerned" with news that Israel wanting to make new settlements by closing off land on the West Bank.^[26] White House officials say the Reagan administration is composing a proposal shifting states to being responsible for the majority of funding for welfare, housing, healthcare, and food programs instead of the federal government.^[27]
• February 23 - President Reagan nominates Emanuel S. Savas for Assistant Secretary of Housing and Urban Development.^[28]
• February 24 - President Reagan reports the response to the economic program of the administration has been "enormously endearing" and answers questions during a White House briefing.^[29] President Reagan sends a message to Congress calling for their adherence to the Fishery Conservation and Management Act of 1976 and the agreement between the US and Norway on international fishery.^[30]
• February 26 - President Reagan sends a letter to Administrator of Veteran Affairs Max Cleland in acceptance of the latter's resignation.^[31]
• February 27 - President Reagan announces his appointment of Wendy H. Borcherdt for Associate Director of Presidential Personnel.^[32]
• February 28 - President Reagan nominates Gerald P. Carmen for Administrator of General Services.^[33]

March

• March 3 - President Reagan announces he does not believe there will be a need to send American troops into El Salvador and vows the continued pursuit of diplomacy to ensure the US does not stop involvement and allow "this hemisphere to be invaded by outside forces."^[34]
• March 5 - President Reagan says the federal government will contribute 1 million USD to Atlanta in response to the 21 black children that either disappeared or were murdered.^[35] The House Budget Committee charges President Reagan with having overlooked misused dollars numbering in the billions that need to be eliminated ahead of Congress doing so to programs that are of worth.^[36]
• March 6 - President Reagan announces his intent for a federal payroll reduction of 63,000 employees by the end of 1983.^[37]
• March 9 - President Reagan signs a budget cut package in the Rose Garden of the White House. The package includes 300 federal programs to reduce government spending by 6.4 billion USD and the fiscal year 1982's spending by 48.6 billion USD.^[38]
• March 14 - President Reagan gives an address in New York City in the early afternoon.^[39] Reagan gives a public statement on the Westway Highway Project.^[40]
• March 16 - President Reagan gives a public statement on St. Patrick's Day.^[41] President Reagan gives an address to Associated General Contractors of America members during a reception appearance.^[42]
• March 17 - President Reagan speaks at the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture Dinner.^[43]
• March 18 - Secretary of State Haig says Central America is in the process of being aimed for takeover by the world communist movement.^[44]
• March 19 - Reagan administration sources report will send a "mild signal" requesting Japan voluntarily do away with their automobile exports.^[45]
• March 20 - President Reagan gives a speech at the Conservative Political Action Conference Dinner in the Grand Ballroom at the Mayflower Hotel in the evening hours.^[46]
• March 21 - President Reagan speaks briefly at the East Room Reception for Performers in and Sponsors of the Ford's Theatre Benefit Gala in the afternoon.^[47]
• March 23 - President Reagan sends a message to Congress in regards to the impact of new military facilities in communities.^[48]
• March 24 - Press Secretary Brady reports that President Reagan has chosen to have Vice President Bush chair the crisis management team of the administration.^[49]
• March 26 - In the later hours of the day, the Reagan administration states the possible intervention of the Soviet Union in the upcoming labor strike in Poland.^[50]
• March 27 - Secretary of Stated Haig says there is a "very dangerous" situation in Poland, predicting the weekend may be important, and that the US is considering giving further aid to Poland during a breakfast with reporters.^[51]
• March 28 - President Reagan announces the nominations of Antonio Monroig for Assistant Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, William A. Niskanen, Jr. for membership on the Council of Economic Advisers, James G. Watt for Chairman of the Water Resources Council, and Alex Kozinski for Special Counsel of the Merit Systems Protection Board.^[52]
• March 29 - Secretary of State Haig says that he is optimistic that Poland will avoid a major crisis due to moderate influence but notes "the situation is still very, very tense."^[53]
• March 30 — Attempted assassination of Ronald Reagan
• March 31 - President Reagan resumes his official duties. He meets with Vice President Bush and three top aides from the White House. During breakfast, Reagan signs a bill supporting dairy-price.^[54] Vice President Bush says to reporters that he has briefly met with President Reagan and reports the latter's condition as "very well."^[55]

April

• April 1 - In response to the assassination attempt, the Illinois State Senate approves a bill outlawing handguns being sold or possessed, with offenders of the law being eligible to six years of prison if convicted.^[56]
• April 2 - Secretary of Defense Weinberger says steps being taken by the US are the direct result of the Soviet Union taking steps to increase the chances of its Poland invasion.^[57]
• April 3 - President Reagan has his temperature increase to 102 before dropping to an almost normal degree. Benjamin Aaron describes it as a setback though a regular continuation of his injuries from the assassination attempt.^[58]
• April 4 - Egyptian and Western sources say Secretary of State Haig has told his Egyptian hosts that he could have prematurely ceased his Mideast trip due to Poland having increased in tension.^[59]
• April 5 - President Reagan meets with Vernon Jordan. President Reagan is reported to have run an intermittent temperature during the day and in his injured lung, doctors are said to have found particle traces.^[60]
• April 7 - The House Budget Committee rejects the Reagan administration's budget proposal in favor of an alternative by Democrats with less spending on defense and more on social programs. Vice President Bush says the administration is prepared to "have some battles on the House side".^[61]
• April 8 - Secretary of State Haig says Kremlin will gain "troubled waters in which to fish" should there be no peace agreement between Arabs and Israelis.^[62] Dr. Dennis O'Leary says that President Reagan will likely return to the White House in two days and will have fully recovered "within four months."^[63]
• April 9 - Reagan releases a statement on the death of Omar Bradley.^[64]
• April 10 - Dr. O'Leary says that President Reagan will be released from Washington University Hospital during the weekend.^[65] Press Secretary Brady is reported to possibly suffer no permanent disabilities and eventually return to work amid problems on the left side of his body.^[66]
• April 11 - President Reagan is released from Washington University Hospital.^[67]
• April 13 - Secretary of State Haig awards the Valor Award of the State Department to 54 former American Iran hostages.^[68]
• April 14 - Deputy White House press secretary Larry Speakes says members of the Reagan administration hope to have conversations with Senators William Armstrong, Steven Symms, and Charles Grassley, the three Republican senators that voted against the budget blueprint by President Reagan.^[69]
• April 15 - President Reagan issues his first presidential pardons toward W. Mark Felt and Edward S. Millar.^[70]
• April 16 - President Reagan promises to protect whistleblowers of the ongoing instances of fraud and waste in the federal bureaucracy.^[71]
• April 23 - President Reagan orders 25 billion USD be collected from individuals who owe the government and have yet to pay via an executive order issuing the involvement of each department in constructing a plan to obtains the funds and holding a person accountable for the program.^[72]

May

President Ronald Reagan presents astronaut John Young with the Congressional Space Medal of Honor as well as NASA's Distinguished Service Medal. Astronaut Robert C. Crippen also received the Distinguished Service Medal and Dr. Alan Lovelace was presented with the President's Citizens Medal, May 1, 1981

• May 1 - President Reagan has an informal visit with Charles, Prince of Wales at the White House.^[73] The federal government announces its decision to cease requirement of disclosure of beer, wine, and liquor ingredients and cites President Reagan's call for an end to regulations that were unnecessary.^[74]
• May 2 - Robert Byrd, the leader of the Democrats in the Senate, confirms he will vote for President Reagan's budget proposal during his weekly meeting with reporters.^[75]
• May 3 - The State Department says the Reagan administration has decided it must take the lead and supply a large portion of troops in creating an international peace-keeping force within Sinai Peninsula between Israel and Egypt.^[76]
• May 4 - Secretary of State Haig says it is the plan of the US to begin negotiating with the Soviet Union for the limiting nuclear weapons in Europe by the end of the year and that President Reagan sent a letter to Soviet Union leader Leonid Brezhnev in response to a letter Brezhnev had sent him two months prior in March.^[77] Vice President Bush calls opponents of the Reagan administration's economic program "obstructionists" for thwarting the will of the people while delivering a speech to the American Newspapers Publishers Association.^[78] Press Secretary Brady undergoes surgery for a third time after small blood clots were discovered on his right lung during the night hours. Dr. O'Leary says they are not life-threatening.^[79] President Reagan requests Israel allow American diplomats more time to work on the Lebanon crisis.^[80]
• May 5 - NATO endorses the Reagan administration's plan to start talks with Soviets by the end of the year.^[81] The Senate confirms 7 of President Reagan's 40 foreign policy nominees and a Senate committee approves 7 others for confirmation.^[82]
• May 6 - Secretary of the Treasury Regan says the administration is examining Social Security system changes during a breakfast session with reporters.^[83] The Senate Agriculture Committee agrees to a reduction of the maximum income level to receive food stamp rolls.^[84] The Reagan administration orders Libyan envoys out of Washington. Dean Fischer, spokesman of the State Department, says the choice was made due to the Libyan "people's bureau" displaying misconduct.^[85]
• May 7 - The Senate Agriculture Committee agrees to making able bodied persons work public service jobs in exchange for food stamps.^[86] The House votes 253 to 176 in an approval of President Reagan's fiscal 1982 budget. 63 Democrats joined the 190 Republicans in support of the president.^[87]
• May 8 - The Senate approves a 7.9 billion USD reduction in cost-of-living increases for the following year toward the 44 million Americans receiving government retirement benefits.^[88]
• May 9 - Secretary of State Haig says the Soviet Union is showing signs of "spiritual exhaustion" amid "an extremely gloomy future" which could potentially make it a stronger adversary to the US while addressing the Syracuse University graduating class.^[89]
• May 11 - President Reagan proposes phasing out the current limitations on earning of the retired by three years during a meeting with his Cabinet Council on Human Resources.^[90] The Senate votes against proposals to double President Reagan's spending cuts and do away with the 1982 deficit of 48.8 billion USD.^[91] The Senate Foreign Relations Committee approves cutting off military aid and withdrawing advisors unless President Reagan says in writing that the Salvadorian government is controlling its armed forces, observing human rights, and progressing on making political reform in a vote of 11 to 1.^[92]
• May 12 - The Reagan administration releases a proposal to slash benefits of those retiring at age 62 and stall the growth in benefits for future retirees as part of a plan to prevent the bankruptcy of the Social Security system.^[93] The Senate approves President Reagan's 700.8 billion USD budget proposal for the 1982 fiscal year in a vote of 78 to 20. Senators Lowell Weicker and Gordon Humphrey are the only Republicans to oppose by vote.^[94]
• May 13 - Secretary of Defense Weinberger says he is content with NATO's European members admitting they may have to facilitate US deployments outside of Europe.^[95] Press Secretary Brady is reported as being in good condition following a recovery from a slight fever.^[96] President Reagan says he will pray for Pope John Paul II after learning of the latter's assassination attempt.^[97]
• May 14 - House and Senate budget writers approve a 695.4 billion USD spending plan compromise. The plan makes way for President Reagan's cuts in taxes and spending.^[98]
• May 18 - Secretary of Defense Weinberger says the US is not balanced with the Soviet Union in terms of nuclear weapons, elaborating that such a difference is "inviting war", and the SALT II treaty is deceased to the US while speaking to a British Broadcaster Corp. interviewer.^[99]
• May 19 - President Reagan meets with Neil Armstrong, John Glenn, Alan Shepard, Gordon Cooper, Wally Schirra, Scott Carpenter, and 35 other astronauts in an Oval Office ceremony, Reagan saying that John Young and Bob Crippen "have made us very proud." Young and Crippen are both bestowed Distinguished Service Metals, and President Reagan gives Young a Congressional Space Medal of Honor.^[100] Secretary of Labor Donovan proposes new penalties, including fines of up to 10,000 USD for failure to keep records of payroll and failing to pay minimum wage, for sweatshop employers.^[101] The House Ways and Means Committee approves a 9.1 billion USD spending cut in benefit programs, including Social Security, Medicare, and unemployment.^[102]
• May 20 - The Senate votes unanimously to assure "Congress shall not precipitously and unfairly penalize early retires" in a vote of 96 to 0. It is a setback to President Reagan as it goes against his week-old plan to cut Social Security benefits in an attempt to prevent bankruptcy.^[103] The House approves the 695.4 billion USD compromise 1982 budget plan in a vote of 244 to 155.^[104]
• May 21 - The Senate approves the outline of the 1982 budget guideline totaling 695.4 billion USD in a vote of 76 to 20.^[105]
• May 23 - President Reagan announces his nominations of Lennie-Marie P. Tolliver as Commissioner on Aging in the Health and Human Resources Department, Rex E. Lee for United States Solicitor General in the Justice Department, and Anthony Muray, Jr. for Superintendent of the Mint of the United States at Philadelphia at the Treasury Department.^[106]
• May 25 - On Memorial Day, President Reagan declares the day one of "prayer for permanent peace, and I designate the hour beginning in each locality at 11 o'clock in the morning of that day as a time to unite in prayer." Reagan also urges all forms of information media, the entirety of American governors and government officials, and Puerto Rico Commonwealth to take part in his request.^[107]
• May 26 - President Reagan announces his nomination of Jose Manuel Casanova for Inter-American Development Bank Executive Director.^[108]
• May 27 - Deputy Press Secretary Larry Speakes releases a statement saying President Reagan wants Ambassador Habib to return to Washington so the pair can discuss the Middle East. President Reagan is said by Speakes to view the current time as an "appropriate moment to receive firsthand Ambassador Habib's views and to discuss with him the future of his continuing mission in the context of efforts peacefully to resolve the crisis involving events in Lebanon."^[109]
• May 29 - President Reagan announces his nomination of Allen B. Clark, Jr. for the position of Deputy Administrator of Veteran Affairs.^[110]
• May 30 - President Reagan sends a message to Congress requesting a Veterans Education Assistance Program extension.^[111]
• May 31 - President Reagan sends a message to Abdus Sattar on the assassination of Ziaur Rahman the previous day.^[112]

June

• June 1 - President Reagan announces his nominations of Richard Mulberry for Inspector General at the Department of the Interior, and Robert Sherwood Dillon for Ambassador to Lebano.^[113] President Reagan issues an executive order to the Military Rules of Evidence of the Manual for Courts-Martial.^[114]
• June 2 - President Reagan sends a message to Congress on the subjects of Romania trade, Hungary, and the People's Republic of China.^[115] President Reagan announces his nominations of June Gibbs Brown for Inspector General of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, and Robert Boone Hawkins, Jr. for private citizen member, Advisory Commission on Intergovernmental Relations in a two-year term.^[116]
• June 3 - President Reagan announces his nomination of Alton Gold Keel, Jr. for the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force position, and H. Monroe Brown as United States Ambassador to New Zealand while concurrently serving as United States Ambassador to Western Samoa.^[117]
• June 4 - During a talk with reporters, President Reagan says his meeting with Mother Theresa was wonderful, adding, "You can't be in the presence of someone like that without feeling better about the world." President Reagan also says he cannot currently disclose details of his tax plan.^[118] President Reagan announces his nominations of Dean E. Fischer for Assistant Secretary of State, and Vernon A. Walters for Ambassador at Large.^[119]
• June 5 - President Reagan meets with Ethel Kennedy, her children, and Senator Ted Kennedy in the Oval Office. President Reagan awards Ethel the Robert F. Kennedy Medal and says her late husband RFK gave "distinguished and dedicated service" to both the federal government and Americans during a ceremony in the Rose Garden.^[120]
• June 7 - Baruch Korff says President Reagan regularly confers with former President Nixon by sending top secret documents to the former president at his residence in New York City during a telephone interview.^[121]
• June 8 - In the morning hours, President Reagan speaks at the South Portico alongside President of Mexico Jose Lopez Portillo. Reagan and Portillo meet in the Yellow Oval Room after the ceremony and later traveled together to Camp David.^[122] President Reagan sends a message to Congress detailing the rescissions of the budget.^[123]
• June 9 - President Reagan announces his nominations of Alvin W. Trivelpiece for Director for Office of Energy Research Director in the Department of Energy, Dallas Lynn Peck for Director of the Geological Survey in the Interior Department, and William M. Otter to be Administrator of the Wage and Hour Division for the Labor Department.^[124] President Reagan says his communications with President of Mexico Portillo were "frank, they were valuable, and they lead to a closer relationship between our two countries" while speaking to reporters at the North Portico in the afternoon hours.^[125]
• June 10 - President Reagan announces appointments of the White House Fellows for the 1981-82 year.^[126]
• June 11 - Deputy Press Secretary Speakes reports that President Reagan in upcoming meetings with Ambassadors wants them "to be aware of his commitment and the commitment of the United States to the furtherance of the peace process in that critical region of the world. He wishes the Ambassadors to convey this to their respective governments."^[127]
• June 12 - President Reagan signs a resolution and proclamation declaring July 17, 1981 National P.O.W.-M.I.A. Recognition Day during a Rose Garden ceremony in the afternoon hours.^[128]
• June 13 - President Reagan releases a statement on federal regulations being reduced, saying that when federal regulations are excessive they "limit job opportunities, raise prices, and reduce the incomes of all Americans."^[129]

President Reagan with Charlton Heston at a meeting with the Presidential Task Force on the Arts and Humanities in the White House Cabinet Room, June 15, 1981.

• June 15 - In a letter to Attorney General Civiletti, noting the Voting Rights Act of 1965 has provisions set to expire within the following year and hoping to complete an assessment to allow Congress's enacting of a bill prior to the expiration, President Reagan says the Voting Rights Act has "made a massive contribution to the achievement of full constitutional and political equality for black Americans."^[130]
• June 16 - President Reagan announces his nomination of Joan M. Clark for Director General of the Foreign Service in the State Department.^[131]
• June 17 - President Reagan signs a Veterans Medicare Bill. Reagan says during the signing that the "legislation is aimed at maintaining the quality of medical care for our veterans."^[132]
• June 18 - President Reagan sends a letter to Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States Potter Stewart in which he states he accepts his retirement.^[133]
• June 19 - President Reagan announces his nominations of J. Raymond Bell for membership in the Foreign Claims Settlement Commission of the United States in the Justice Department, Frank H. Conway for membership of the Foreign Claims Settlement Commission of the United States in Department of Justice, L. Ebersole Gaines for Executive Vice President of the Overseas Private Investment Corporation in United States International Development Cooperation Agency, Bevis Longstreth for membership of the Securities and Exchange Commission, Parker W. Borg for United States Ambassador to the Republic of Mali, and Robert Strausz-Hupe for United States Ambassador to the Republic of Turkey.^[134]
• June 22 - In the afternoon, President Reagan speaks at the White House Opening of the "Champions of American Sport" Exhibition in the East Room.^[135]
• June 23 - President Reagan speaks of the Conable-Hance tax program "as an appetizer" ahead of breakfast with Democratic congressmen.^[136]

July

• July 3 - 80 protestors are arrested following a sit down at the White House in response to budget cuts of the Reagan administration as well as its policy toward El Salvador.^[137] China warns the US against possibly straining relations between the two by not repealing the Taiwan Relations Act.^[138] President Reagan issues a statement on the following day's observance of the Fourth of July.^[139]
• July 6 - President Reagan issues a message to Congress regarding an agreement on nuclear energy between the United States and Egypt.^[140]
• July 7 - President Reagan nominates Sandra Day O'Connor to the U.S. Supreme Court.^[141]

President Ronald Reagan and his Supreme Court Justice nominee Sandra Day O'Connor at the White House, July 15, 1981.

• July 14 - Max Hugel, the Deputy Director for Clandestine Operations of the CIA, resigns following reports of illegal stock trading while denying wrongdoing.^[142]
• July 15 - President Reagan obtains a promise from Speaker of the House Tip O'Neill for Congress to remain in session until August 7 for further attempts to complete the bills for budget and tax.^[143]
• July 16 - The Justice Department begins collecting records on FBI Director William Casey.^[144]
• July 20 - President Reagan suspends 10 F-16 fighter bomber jets delivery to Israel.^[145]
• July 22 - Secretary of Defense Weinberger says Philip Habib's efforts to bring peace have been setback by Began launching Lebanon military raids.^[146]
• July 23 - President Reagan accepts a plan adjusting automatic tax cuts for inflation each year as part of changes to his tax bill.^[147]
• July 28 - President Reagan releases a message to the Senate regarding a United States-Sweden Supplementary Convention on extradition.^[148]
• July 29 - In a 238 to 195 vote, the House of Representatives approves President Reagan's tax cut bill.^[149]
• July 30 - President Reagan releases a statement on the immigration and refugee policy toward the United States, saying in part, "We shall seek new ways to integrate refugees into our society without nurturing their dependence on welfare."^[150]
• July 31 - President Reagan announces the appointments of Stanton D. Anderson for membership on the Advisory Committee for Trade Negotiations and Henry G. Cisneros for membership on the Presidential Advisory Committee on Federalism, and the nominations of William Courtney Sherman for Deputy Representative of the United States of America in the Security Council of the United Nations with the Ambassador rank and Ronald I. Spiers for United States Ambassador to Pakistan.^[151]

August

• August 3 - President Reagan holds a session of questions and answers with reporters on the subject of the on the Air Traffic Controllers Strike in the Rose Garden during the morning hours.^[152]
• August 4 - President Reagan speaks at the presentation of his receiving unspent fiscal year funds for 1981 from the Agency for International Development in the Rose Garden during the afternoon.^[153]
• August 5 — President Reagan fires 11,345 striking air traffic controllers who ignored an order to return to work under the terms of the Labor Management Relations Act of 1947
• August 6 - According to administration officials, President Reagan approves the proceeding of production of neutron weapons during a White House meeting.^[154]
• August 7 - Transportation Secretary Drew Lewis notes receiving reports from air traffic workers who claimed to be harassed and were afraid to return to work, saying they can come back to work if the administration is able to confirm the legitimacy of their claims.^[155]
• August 12 - President Reagan announces his nomination of Raymond C. Ewing for the position of United States Ambassador to the Republic of Cyprus.^[156]
• August 13 — Economic Recovery Tax Act of 1981
• August 14 - President Reagan announces his nomination of Lenora Cole-Alexander for Director of the Women's Bureau in the Department of Labor.^[157]
• August 17 - President Reagan announces his nomination of Michael H. Newlin for United States Ambassador to the Democratic Popular Republic of Algeria.^[158]
• August 18 - President Reagan says he has begun preliminary works for both the 1983 and 1984 budgets after ending a meeting with top advisors on budget and security.^[159] President Reagan announces his nominations of Arthur Adair Hartman for United States Ambassador to the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, and Harry G. Barnes, Jr. for United States Ambassador to India.^[160]
• August 20 - President Reagan delivers a speech aboard the U.S.S. Constellation.^[161]
• August 28 - President Reagan announces his nominations of Malcolm R. Lovell, Jr. for United States Under Secretary of Labor, Frank V. Ortiz, Jr. for United States Ambassador to Peru, and David B. Funderburk for United States Ambassador to the Socialist Republic of Romania.^[162]
• August 29 - President Reagan wishes Press Secretary Brady "a happy 41st birthday" in a public statement and telephones him in private.^[163]
• August 31 - President Reagan sends a message to Congress on federal civilian pay increases.^[164]

September

• September 1 - Reagan administration officials disclose that there will soon be an announcement by the administration on federal employment cuts of 100,000 over a two-year span.^[165]
• September 2 - President Reagan says the Soviet Union will agree to legitimate arms reduction that is verifiable or position themselves to have an arms race "which they can't win" during a Palmer House reception.^[166]
• September 3 - President Reagan delivers an address to the Annual Convention of the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners at the McCormick Place in Chicago, Illinois, noting its centennial in his remarks.^[167]
• September 4 - President Reagan is announced to have asked for Vice President Bush's leadership of the delegation from America in bilateral economic talks between the latter country and Nigeria.^[168] President Reagan announces the appointing of Rodney N. Searle to Chairman of the Upper Mississippi River Basin Commission, and the nominations of Jeffrey S. Bragg for Federal Insurance Administrator, Susan Meredith Phillips for Commissioner of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, Charles Timothy Hagel for Deputy Administrator of Veterans Affairs, Donald James Quigg for Deputy Commissioner of Patents and Trademarks, Faith Ryan Whittlesey for Ambassador to Switzerland, Joseph Verner Reed, Jr. for United States Ambassador to the Kingdom of Morocco, and Thomas Aranda, Jr. for United States Ambassador to Uruguay.^[169]
• September 16 - President Reagan announces his nominating of C. Everett Koop for Surgeon General of the Public Health Service, and F. Callahan for membership on the National Credit Union Administration.^[170]
• September 17 - President Reagan announces his nominations of Thomas R. Pickering for Ambassador to the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and Rickey Dale James for membership on the Mississippi River Commission.^[171]
• September 18 - President Reagan visits and tours the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library and Museum along with his wife, Mexico President Portillo, Canada Prime Minister Trudeau, former France President d'Estaing, and former President and First Lady Ford, and later delivers remarks at the dedication ceremony.^[172] President Reagan speaks at the Biennial Convention of the National Federation of Republican Women at the Denver Convention Complex in Denver, Colorado in the afternoon.^[173]
• September 21 — President Reagan meets with 17 private sector organizations at the White House and delivers an address before them briefly touching on his administration's economic plan in the morning.^[174] The U.S. Senate confirms O'Connor to the Supreme Court.

October

• October 1 - President Reagan announces Saudi Arabia will not be allowed by the US to be taken over similarly to Iran during a televised press conference.^[175]
• October 5 - President Reagan delivers a speech at the Annual Meeting of the National Alliance of Business at the Sheraton Washington Hotel.^[176] President Reagan announces his designating of the upcoming October 11 as "General Pulaski Memorial Day" in honor of Casimir Pulaski.^[177]
• October 6 - President Reagan issues a public statement on the death of President of Egypt Anwar Sadat, calling the latter "a courageous man whose vision and wisdom brought nations and people together."^[178]
• October 7 - President Reagan announces his nomination of Geoffrey Swaebe for United States Representative to the European Office of the United Nations.^[179]
• October 8 - President Reagan meets with former Presidents Jimmy Carter, Richard Nixon, and Gerald Ford in a small ceremony ahead of their attending the funeral of Anwar Sadat as representatives for the United States. It marks the first time in U.S. history that four presidents were together.^[180]
• October 14 - President Reagan announces his nominations of Evan Griffith Galbraith for United States Ambassador to France, and Francis S. M. Hodsoll for Chairman of the National Endowment of the Arts.^[181]
• October 30 - President Reagan nominates Francis Terry McNamara for Ambassador to the Gabonese Republic and to the Democratic Republic of São Tomé and Príncipe, Benjamin F. Baer for Commissioner of the United States Parole Commission, Warner M. Depuy for Alternate Federal member of the Susquehanna River Basin Commission, Charles L. Hardwick for membership on the Presidential Advisory Committee on Federalism, ten individuals for the Federal Council on Aging, individuals for positions of chairmanship on the 10 Federal Regional Councils, and Elliot Abrams as Assistant Secretary of State.^[182]
• October 31 - President Reagan nominates Milan D. Bish for the position of Ambassador to Barbados, Commonwealth of Dominica, Saint Lucia, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Antigua and Barbuda, and Janet McCoy for High Commissioner of the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands.^[183]

November

• November 1 - Officials say the US has been urged by Israel to be aware of a peace plan by the Middle East that Israel turned down.^[184]
• November 2 - President Reagan formally welcomes Hussein of Jordan on the South Lawn of the White House in the morning hours. President Reagan and Hussien meet with Vice President Bush, Secretary of State Haig, Assistant to the President Allen, and United States Ambassador to Jordan Viets in the Oval Office.^[185] President Reagan attends a State Dining Room dinner in honor of Hussien, exchanging public comments with the latter during the night hours.^[186] President Reagan also announces his nomination of John McKean for the position of Governor of the United States Postal Service.^[187]
• November 3 - Secretary of State Haig accuses National Security Advisor Allen of having run a guerilla campaign against him since the second month of the administration.^[188] Senator Joe Biden says the Reagan administration notified Congress of its intent to sell satellite components the day ahead of the sale to ARABSAT.^[189]
• November 9 - Secretary of Treasury Regan announces the Reagan administration has halted plans to ask Congress for tax increases of 3 billion USD.^[190]
• November 10 - President Reagan calls on Americans to "stiffen its spine and not throw in the towel" on the subject of further federal spending cuts during a televised news conference.^[191]

Donald Lambro interviews Ronald Reagan in 1981 in Oval Office, November 16, 1981

• November 16 - President Reagan removes Arthur S. Flemming as Civil Rights Commission chairman and names Clarence Pendleton as his successor.^[192] The Justice Department says it cannot determine if John Hinckley, Jr. contracted brain damage from suicide attempt a few minutes ahead of his arrest.^[193]
• November 18 - Reagan administration officials say they will present their proposal for Europe-based medium range nuclear missiles to be eliminated to the Soviets based in Geneva.^[194]
• November 19 - The White House discloses Edwin Meese meet with the FBI for determining whether there should be any charges applied to Richard Allen for the latter taking a cash agreement of $1,000 USD two weeks ago.^[195]
• November 20 - President Reagan attends the dedication of the Library of Congress James Madison Memorial Building in the morning.^[196] President Reagan announces his nominations of Franklin S. Forsberg for United States Ambassabor to Sweden and Herbert R. Lippold, Jr. for membership of the Mississippi River Commission.^[197]
• November 24 - Reagan administration officials says the president's conflict with Congress on the issue of government spending is a mere preview of an upcoming conflict for President Reagan to gain reductions in the 1983 budget he will seek in two months.^[198]
• November 27 - President Reagan announces several nominations, including Clarence E. Hodges for Chief of the Children's Bureau in the Department of Health and Human Services, James N. Broder for membership on the Federal Council on the Aging, and several employees for the National Commission for Employment Policy.^[199]
• November 29 - President Reagan speaks by telephone to the Miami, Florida Plenary Session of the Caribbean and Central America Action Conference while at his California ranch.^[200]
• November 30 - President Reagan states his intent to not abstain "one inch" from his economic plan while speaking at a Republican fundraising cocktail and reception dinner in Cincinnati, Ohio.^[201] Vice President Bush meets with President of AfL-CIO Lane Kirkland in the former's White House office as part of an attempt at reconciling with union leaders opposed to the air traffic controllers firing by President Reagan as well as the administration's economic policies.^[202]

December

• December 1 - During a White House Conference on Aging attended by 2,300 delegates, President Reagan says his administration will not "betray those entitled to Social Security benefits".^[203] Spokesman David Gergen tells reporters that President Reagan is not presently considering putting air controllers in towers.^[204]
• December 2 - President Reagan announces the appointment of forty-four members of the President's Task Force on Private Sector Initiatives,^[205] and thirteen members on the President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports.^[206] President Reagan also delivers an address to members of the President's Task Force on Private Sector Initiatives during a luncheon meeting.^[207]
• December 3 - Production of the B-1 bomber is approved by the Senate.^[208]
• December 4 - President Reagan announces the appointments of Kenneth M. Duberstein to be Assistant to the President for Legislative Affairs, Richard W. Heldridge for membership on the Board of Directors of the Export-Import Bank of the United States, Bernard J. Lasker and Clyde H. Slease the Board of Visitors of the United States Military Academy, Edward R. Borcherdt, Jr. and Bernard E. Smith, Jr. for membership on the Board of Visitors for the United States Naval Academy, Terrence O'Donnell and Henry B. Sayler for membership of the Board of Visitors for the United States Air Force Academy, Walter Cutler for United States Ambassador to Tunisia, Maurice H. Stans for membership of the Board of Directors of the Overseas Private Investment Corporation, and Walter Gellhorn and Otis M. Smith for membership of the Council of the Administrative Conference of the United States.^[209] President Reagan signs the Energy and Water Development Appropriation Act of 1982.^[210] President Reagan announces his issuing of two executive orders, one "to govern the activities of our intelligence agencies" and another "to reestablish the Intelligence Oversight Board".^[211]
• December 6 - Moammar Khadafy calls President Reagan alongside denials of plotting to assassinate him during an interview with David Brinkley on This Week With David Brinkley. The State Department replies that the US has evidence in regards to his possible plotting of the assassinations of American officials.^[212] A spokesman says President Reagan told aides he is awaiting the outcome of Richard V. Allen's inquiry to decide on the latter's return as National Security Advisor.^[213]
• December 7 - President Reagan says he won't "believe a word" from Moammar Khadafy and that the US has evidence and Khadafy is privy to that information during a short meeting with reporters.^[214]
• December 8 - An unnamed government official discloses that the Justice Department has included Richard Allen in an investigation into national security as a result of Allen not listing the names of clients of his consulting firm in a financial disclosure firm.^[215]
• December 10 - President Reagan requests American firms to withdraw 1,500 Libya-based American citizens.^[216]
• December 11 - The Reagan administration gives an estimation that 25% of all Americans receiving social security benefits should lose their payments given a state of not meeting qualifications given their good health.^[217]
• December 12 - President Reagan announces the President's Volunteer Action Awards has been established.^[218]
• December 15 - President Reagan says intervention by the Soviet Union in Poland would "be taken most seriously by all of the Free World" while speaking to newsmen amid an Oval Office picture taking session.^[219]
• December 17 - President Reagan holds his six presidential press conference, during which condemning Poland for "coercion and violation of human rights" and saying the US cannot give economic aid to Poland unless martial law is lifted.^[220]
• December 18 - President Reagan orders the suspension of the U.S.-Israel security agreement as well as the 200 million USD purchase from the Pentagon of Israeli defense-related goods and services.^[221]
• December 21 - White House spokesman Larry Speakes says President Reagan will be urged during the week to increase taxes as a way of quelling a growing deficit in the budget.^[222]
• December 24 - Secretary of State Haig says there will be an immediate collapse of the Poland economy and thereby guarantee further refusal to the regime of martial law there.^[223]
• December 27 - It is announced that Health and Human Services Secretary Schwelker orders that doctors and other health professionals receive a crackdown in the event they have defaulted from student loans.^[224]
• December 28 - Senior administration officials say President Reagan spoke with advisors over the phone while he was in California for the purpose of imposing sanctions against the Soviet Union in response to its purposed connection to Poland's imposition of martial law.^[225]
• December 29 - President Reagan announces his nomination of James Sanderson for Assistant Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency and appointing of eleven members to the American Battle Monuments Commission.^[226]
• December 30 - President Reagan announces his choice of four new members to the Board of Directors of the National Railroad Passenger Corporation.^[227]

January

• January 2 - A memorandum by President Reagan on the general system of preferences is filed with the Federal Register Office during the afternoon.^[244] President Reagan sends a letter to Speaker of the House of Representatives Tip O'Neill about his "intent to withdraw Romania and Nicaragua and suspend Paraguay from the list of beneficiary developing countries under the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) effective 60 days after the date of this letter."^[245]
• January 3 - President Reagan conducts his radio address from the Oval Office of the White House about the fiscal budget for the following year.^[246]
• January 5 - Letters are sent to Speaker O'Neill and Vice President George H. W. Bush for the 1988 budget.^[247]
• January 27 — President Reagan gives his 1987 State of the Union Address
• January 30 - President Reagan awards Larry Speakes the Presidential Citizen Medal.^[248] President Reagan announces his appointments of Charles D. Hobbs for Assistant to the President,^[249] and Gary L. Bauer for Assistant to the President for Policy Development.^[250]
• January 31 - President Reagan delivers a radio address regarding the goals of his presidency from the Oval Office during the afternoon.^[251]

April

• April 20 - United States Secretary of the Interior Donald P. Hodel requests that Congress give approval to both oil and gas leasing while recommending the Arctic National Wildfire Refuge.^[252] Vice President Bush hosts the annual White House Easter Egg Roll.^[253]
• April 21 - The Senate grants limited immunity to former United States National Security Advisor John Poindexter.^[254]
• April 22 - President Reagan participates in the White House Correspondents' Dinner.^[255]
• April 23 - The Pentagon disputes a prior report that confirming the functioning of the laser and participle beams of the Strategic Defense Initiative would take a decade of research.^[256]
• April 24 - 15 members of the American white supremacist movement are charged by the federal government of violations of civil rights, sedition, and conspiracy.^[257]
• April 25 - President Reagan says Congress members advocating protectionist trade legislation are risking America's prosperity "for the sake of sort term appeal" to acquire popular support during his weekly radio address.^[258]

May

• May 11 - President Reagan announces his nomination of Kenneth Y. Tomlinson for membership on the Board for International Broadcasting for a nearly three-year term.^[259]
• May 12 - President Reagan meets with Republican congressional leaders during the morning hours.^[260]
• May 23 - President Reagan designates May 25 as a national day of mourning for the victims in the USS Stark incident.^[261] President Reagan delivers a radio address from Camp David during the early afternoon, speaking on Memorial Day and the deficit of the budget.^[262]

June

• June 11 - President Reagan conducts the forty-first news conference of his presidency at the Hotel Cipriani in Venice, Italy during the afternoon.^[263] President Reagan issues a statement expressing regret for "the necessity, temporarily, to withdraw the proposal to sell modified Maverick air-to-ground missiles to Saudi Arabia because of strong congressional opposition."^[264] President Reagan delivers an address to the Italian-American conference at the Palazzo Grassi during the afternoon.^[265]
• June 12 — President Reagan gives his "Tear down this wall!" speech
• June 13 - President Reagan discusses world trade during his radio address from the Oval Office during the afternoon.^[266]

July

• July 1 — President Reagan nominates Robert Bork to the Supreme Court
• July 16 - President Reagan delivers a speech at the Presentation Ceremony for the All-America Cities Awards in Room 450 of the Old Executive Office Building during the afternoon.^[267] President Reagan sends the annual environmental quality report, noting "programs and policies governing environmental protection and natural resource preservation are in need of change" in spite of positive trends within the report.^[268] President Reagan signs Executive Order 12603 "in order to increase the number of members of the Presidential Commission on the Human Immunodeficiency Virus Epidemic".^[269]
• July 17 - President Reagan meets with Prime Minister of the United Kingdom Margaret Thatcher in the Oval Office of the White House, attending a luncheon with her afterward. President Reagan delivers a speech in the South Portico, during which he says he and the prime minister "reviewed the general prospects for peace in the Middle East" and their discussion was "highly successful."^[270] President Reagan announces his nomination of Mitchell E. Daniels, Jr. for membership on the Board of Directors of the Overseas Private Investment Corporation with a two-year term.^[271]
• July 22 — McKinney–Vento Homeless Assistance Act
• July 27 - President Reagan delivers a speech to employees at the Broan Manufacturing Company in Hartford, Wisconsin during the morning.^[272] Over an hour later, President Reagan gives a speech to a Rotary Club Luncheon in the Old Settlers Room at the Old Washington Restaurant in West Bend during the afternoon.^[273]

October

• October 1 - President Reagan sends a message to Congress reporting "13 deferrals of budget authority totaling $1,776,737,627."^[274] President Reagan announces his choice to nominate Earl E. Gjelde for Under Secretary of the Interior, and Melvin N.A. Peterson for Chief Scientist of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration at the Department of Commerce.^[275]
• October 2 - President Reagan signs the Germany-American Day Proclamation.^[276] President Reagan announces his nominations, both in the Defense Department, of Robert Clifton Duncan for Director of Defense Research and Engineering, and Fred S. Hoffman for Assistant Secretary of Defense (Public Affairs).^[277] During an exchange with reporters, President Reagan says he is "going to continue working as hard as I can" to see that Bork is appointed.^[278]
• October 3 - President Reagan delivers a radio address from Camp David on volunteering and in support of Bork's nomination during the afternoon.^[279]
• October 9 - President Reagan attends a White House luncheon with members of the Volunteer International Council of the United States Information Agency in the East Room^[280] and thanks Bork supporters in the South Lawn^[281] during the afternoon.
• October 10 - President Reagan speaks on the Bork nomination in his national radio address during the afternoon.^[282]
• October 12 - President Reagan issues a statement on the death of Alfred M. Landon.^[283]
• October 23 — Full Senate rejects Bork as Supreme Court justice

November

• November 2 - William S. Sessions is sworn in as Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation at the J. Edgar Hoover Building.^[284] President Reagan announces the nomination of Chandler L. van Orman for Administrator of the Economic Regulatory Administration at the Department of Energy, and the appointment of T. Kenneth Cribb, Jr. for Governor of the Board of Governors of the American National Red Cross.^[285]
• November 3 - President Reagan announces his nomination of Ann McLaughlin for United States Secretary of Labor.^[286]
• November 4 - A recording of President Reagan speaking about relations between the US and the Soviet Union, produced the previous day in the Oval Office of the White House, is played during the morning.^[287] President Reagan announces his nominations of April Catherine Glaspie for Ambassador to the Republic of Iraq, and David C. Miller, Jr. for membership on the Board of Directors of the African Development Foundation.^[288] President Reagan announces the appointment of Frederick J. Ryan, Jr. for Assistant to the President.^[289] President Reagan states his intent to lift part of his sanctions made on Japanese products due to "improved Japanese compliance with the 1986 U.S.-Japan semiconductor agreement".^[290]
• November 5 - President Reagan announces his nomination of Frank C. Carlucci for United States Secretary of Defense.^[291]
• November 6 - President Reagan speaks with reporters in the Cabinet Room during the morning^[292] and delivers an address in favor of Supreme Court nominee Ginsburg in Room 450 of the Old Executive Office Building during the afternoon.^[293] President Reagan announces the nominations of Henry Anatole Grunwald for United States Ambassador to Austria, Richard Huntington Melton for United States Ambassador to Nicaragua, Linda J. Fisher for Assistant Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, and Bradley P. Holmes for membership on the Federal Communications Commission.^[294]
• November 7 - President Reagan delivers a radio address from Camp David on relations between the Philippine and US as well as the current state of Central America during the afternoon.^[295] President Reagan issues a statement on Ginsburg withdrawing his nomination.^[296]
• November 9 - President Reagan delivers an address to volunteers and staff of the United Way of America in the film studio at United Way headquarters during the morning.^[297] President Reagan delivers a wide-ranging speech at the Jefferson Room luncheon in the Department of State during the afternoon.^[298]
• November 10 - The White House releases a statement rebuking the dollar issue discussed by the New York Times and citing unnamed sources with claimed ties to the White House as inaccurate.^[299] President Reagan hosts a welcoming ceremony for President of Israel Chaim Herzog in the East Room of the White House^[300] and speaks with reporters in the Cabinet Room^[301] during the morning.
• November 11 - President Reagan announces his nomination of Anthony M. Kennedy for Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States in the Briefing Room of the White House during morning.^[302]
• November 12 - President Reagan holds with Yunis Khalis and members of his delegation in the Roosevelt Room during the morning.^[303] President Reagan announces the appointment of Marion C. Blakey for Special Assistant to the President and Director of Public Affairs.^[304] President Reagan issues a proclamation designating November 15 through November 22 as "National Arts Week".^[305]
• November 13 - President Reagan hosts the ceremony for the presentation of Young American Medals for Bravery and Service in Room 450 of the Old Executive Office Building during the afternoon.^[306]
• November 14 - President Reagan gives an afternoon radio address on Anthony Kennedy, Central America, and reducing the deficit.^[307]
• November 16 - President Reagan delivers an address at the Annual Meeting of the American Council of Life Insurance at the Sheraton Ballroom in the Washington-Sheraton Hotel during the morning.^[308] President Reagan issues Proclamation 5742, recognizing the Disabled American Veterans Vietnam Veterans National Memorial as being nationally significant.^[309]
• November 17 - President Reagan submits a message to Congress transmitting the Japan-United States Fishery Agreement.^[310]
• November 23 - Frank C. Carlucci is sworn in as the 16th United States Secretary of Defense.^[311]
• November 24 - President Reagan issues Executive Order 12616, designed to restore law and order in Atlanta, Georgia.^[312] President Reagan speaks with reporters in Denver, Colorado during the morning^[313] and delivers an address to Martin Marietta Denver Astronautics Employees in Waterton, Colorado during the afternoon.^[314]
• November 28 - President Reagan delivers a morning radio address on US relations with the Soviet Union.^[315]
• November 30 — President Reagan gives a speech at a White House briefing dedicated to reducing the deficit in the East Room during the morning^[316] and delivers an address on his foreign policy at a luncheon in the ballroom at the Willard Hotel during the afternoon.^[317] President Reagan signs the Older Americans Act Amendments of 1987.^[318]

December

• December 1 - President Reagan states he has nominated Leonard H.O. Spearman, Sr. for United States Ambassador to the Republic of Rwanda.^[319] President Reagan delivers a speech and answers questions in the Veterans' Memorial Coliseum at the Duval County public schools in Jacksonville, Florida.^[320]
• December 2 - President Reagan sends a letter to Speaker of the House O'Neill and Vice President Bush on the Soviet Union not complying with the Arms Control Agreements.^[321] President Reagan sends Congress two versions of the Public Law 99 - 145 mandate of the annual report on the choice of Soviet Union to not comply with the Arms Control Agreements.^[322]
• December 3 - James H. Burnley IV is sworn in as the 9th United States Secretary of Transportation.^[323] President Reagan announces his nominations of T.S. Ary for Director of the Bureau of Mines at the Department of the Interior, Wendy Lee Gramm for Commissioner of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, and E. Phillips for membership on the Federal Trade Commission, and his appointments of Warren Lloyd Miller for membership on the District of Columbia Law Revision Commission, and Beny J. Primm for membership on the White House Conference for a Drug Free America.^[324]
• December 4 - President Reagan announces the nomination of Mark Sullivan III for General Counsel for the Department of the Treasury.^[325]
• December 5 - President Reagan delivers a radio address from the Oval Office on the topics of reducing the deficit and relations between the US and Soviet Union.^[326] President Reagan issues a proclamation designating the upcoming December 17 as "Wright Brothers Day", reasoning that "Wilbur and Orville Wright ushered in the age of modern aviation with an accomplishment unprecedented in history".^[327]
• December 7 - President Reagan answers questions about Gorbachev from reporters while in the Roosevelt Room of the White House during the afternoon.^[328] President Reagan signs the Sentencing Act of 1987, amending the Sentencing Reform Act of 1984.^[329]
• December 8 — President Reagan signs the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty with USSR head of state Mikhail Gorbachev
• December 8–10 — President Reagan attends the Washington Summit
• December 11 - President Reagan speaks and answers questions from news editors and broadcasters in the Old Executive Office Building's Room 450 during the afternoon.^[330] President Reagan announces the nominations of Hershey Gold for membership on the United States Advisory Commission on Public Diplomacy, Susan Wing for membership on the Federal Communications Commission, J. Wade Gilley for membership on the National Advisory Council on Educational Research and Improvement, Warren Keating Hendriks, Jr. for membership on the Advisory Committee on Federal Pay, Gloria Sherwood for membership on the Federal Council on the Aging, and Frank G. Zarb for Director of the Securities Investor Protection Corporation.^[331]
• December 12 - President Reagan delivers a radio address from Camp David on the US's relations with the Soviet Union during the afternoon.^[332]
• December 14 - President Reagan gives a speech on NATO to the Board of Trustees of the Center for Strategic and International Studies in the Wadsworth Room at the International Club during the morning.^[333] President Reagan announces the appointments of Charles Nicholas Rostow for Special Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs and Myron J. Mintz to be a member of the Advisory Committee to the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation, the nominations of Jay Kenneth Katzen for membership on the Board of Directors of the African Development Foundation and Jose M. Deetjen for membership on the Board of Directors of the Inter-American Foundation, and the designation of Murray P. Hayutin for Chairman of the Advisory Committee to the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation.^[334]
• December 21 - President Reagan announces the nominations J. Daniel Howard for Assistant Secretary of Defense and C. Anson Franklin for Assistant Secretary of Energy.^[335]
• December 22 - President Reagan signs Executive Order 12618, amending Executive Order 12591 with a new section.^[336]
• December 23 - President Reagan issues proclamations for the upcoming 1988 to be known as the "Year of New Sweden",^[337] January 8 of the following year being designated as "National Skiing Day",^[338] and January 28 to be known as the "National Day of Excellence".^[339]
• December 24 - President Reagan signs Executive Order 12620, a delegation of authority.^[340] President Reagan signs a proclamation in regards to the European Community to the United States, "imposing and temporarily suspending duties on approximately $100 million worth" of their exports.^[341]
• December 26 - A radio broadcast, recorded by President Reagan three days earlier in the Roosevelt Room, is released, during which the president calls volunteering and selfless acts.^[342]
• December 27 - President Reagan releases a statement noting the eighth anniversary of the invasion of Afghanistan by the Soviet Union.^[343]
• December 29 - President Reagan signs Executive Order 12621, an amendment of Section 2(b) of the prior month's Executive Order 12614 to change the reading to "The Task Force shall submit its recommendations to the President no later than January 8, 1988."^[344]
• December 31 - President Reagan issues Executive Order 12622, adjusting payment and allowance rates.^[345] The law is said to "provide, as proposed by the administration, a 4.2-percent cost-of-living increase in the monthly benefit checks of over 2.2 million veterans with service-connected disabilities and their dependents and to about 310,000 surviving spouses and children of veterans whose deaths were service-connected."^[346]