SIMI VALLEY, Calif. (NewsNation) — As the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation commemorates the 20th anniversary of the death of the nation’s 40th president, Reagan’s achievements remain poignant and memorable.
Reagan made significant contributions both inside the White House and aboard the retired Air Force One 27000 jet.
NewsNation correspondent Nancy Loo went aboard the 153-foot-long Boeing jet, one of the most notable showcases at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum.
This Saturday, NewsNation will air the 90-minute documentary film “Reagan: Portrait of a Presidency” about the life and legacy of President Ronald Reagan, narrated by actor Dean Cain. The documentary film will air from 9-10:30 p.m. ET (8-9:30 p.m. CT), followed by “Reagan: The Post Show,” with NewsNation senior political contributor George Will and chief Washington anchor Leland Vittert from 10:30-11 p.m. ET (9:30-10 p.m. CT). To find NewsNation on your screen, go to JoinNNN.com.
The jet carried Reagan more than 660,000 miles to 26 foreign countries and 46 U.S. states during his eight years in office. He accomplished many things while aboard, including handwriting many of his speeches, signing important legislation and officially starting the Daytona Beach, Florida NASCAR race via phone.
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View of US President Ronald Reagan (1911 – 2004) (center left) and Honduran President Roberto Suazo Cordova (1927 – 2018) (center right) as they pose together on the tarmac at Ramon Villeda Morales International Airport, San Pedro Sula, Honduras, December 4, 1982. (Photo by Robert Nickelsberg/Getty Images) -
(Original Caption) 2/20/1981-Aboard Air Force One- President Ronald Reagan talks to Senator Pete Domenici (Rep-N.M.) aboard Air Force One as the President used the five-and-one-half-hour flying time from Washington to California to telephone members of Congress to ask for their help in getting his economic programs passed through Congress. -
354390 71: President Ronald Reagan salutes as he and wife Nancy Reagan depart on Air Force One June 1987. (Photo by Dirck Halstead/Liaison) -
US President Ronald Reagan (1911 – 2004) (left) meets with White House Chief of Staff Donald Regan (1918 – 2003) (center) and National Security Advisor Robert C McFarlane (1937 – 2022) aboard Air Force One, July 21, 1985. (Photo by Bill Fitz-Patrick – White House via CNP/Getty Images) -
Atmosphere during Centennial Guild Hosts the When You Wish Upon a Star Gala at Air Force One Pavilion at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, CA, United States. (Photo by Bob Riha Jr/WireImage) -
SIMI VALLEY, CA – FEBRUARY 26: The front of the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum is shown February 26, 2004 in Simi Valley, California. National Security Advisor, Dr. Condoleezza Rice, lectured at the site today. The lecture is part of the “Reagan Lecture” series sponsored by the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation. (Photo by David McNew/Getty Images)
Other presidents, including Jimmy Carter, Gerald Ford, Richard Nixon, George H. W. Bush, Bill Clinton and George W. Bush, also used the plane during its 28 years of service.
Reagan’s commitment to face–to–face diplomacy was key to his success in promoting peace and democracy. He died from pneumonia on June 5, 2004, at age 93.
