ENGLISH SPEECH | RONALD REAGAN: Tear Down This Wall! (English Subtitles)

On March 30, 1981, 70 days into his presidency, President Ronald Reagan was shot outside the Washington Hilton Hotel. | American Experience | PBS

On March 30, 1981, Ronald Reagan was shot outside a Washington, D.C. hotel in an assassination attempt that shocked the nation. As doctors rushed to save his life, hospital staff cut away his clothing — standard procedure during emergency trauma care. In the chaos, a small but critical item went unnoticed. A laminated card from Reagan’s suit pocket was tossed into a shoe on the hospital floor. That card, part of what is commonly known as the “nuclear football,” contained the U.S. nuclear launch

As the 1984 election approached, many voters were concerned with incumbent Ronald Reagan's age. At 73, he was already the oldest President in history. Watch REAGAN, our definitive two-part biography, September 26 & October 3 at 8/7c on @PBS (check local listings). | American Experience | PBS