UNITED STATES 6 Feb 2010 Special coin begins observance of 2011 Ronald Reagan centenary

Ronald Reagan, the 40th United States president (1981-1989), who is venerated by conservatives for his fervent republicanism and appealing style, was born 100 years ago on 6 Feb 1911. He died in 2004. The birthday party starts early, with fanfare and the release of a commemorative US $1 coin on 6 Feb 2010. The coin is meant to build excitement for the big day one year later. The 11-member Ronald Reagan Centennial Commission is planning the federal observation of the centenary.

In a historic moment at the White House in June, Reagan's widow, Nancy, stood next to President Barack Obama as he signed the Ronald Reagan Centennial Commission Act, which authorized the commission. Centennial commissions have previously been formed for presidents Abraham Lincoln, Dwight D. Eisenhower, Franklin D. Roosevelt and Harry S. Truman.

The centennial activities include a complete renovation of the galleries within the Ronald Reagan Library and Museum. The library, in California, houses over 55 million pages of gubernatorial, presidential and personal papers and over 40,000 gifts and artifacts chronicling the lives of Ronald and Nancy Reagan. It now also serves as the final resting place of America’s 40th President. Jun/09

RELATED READING:

Reagan biography (Encyclopedia Britannica)
http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/492882/Ronald-W-Reagan