A little more than a month after leaving the hospital, the Reagans were headed overseas again, this time to Japan. At the Imperial Palace in Tokyo, the emperor awarded Ronald Reagan the Grand Cordon of the Supreme Order of the Chrysanthemum, and, with the empress, hosted a luncheon in the Reagans’ honor. Reagan also met the prime minister and made speeches in Tokyo and Osaka.
The following year brought more high-profile events for the busy former president. In April, he hosted a ceremony at his Presidential Library to receive a piece of the Berlin Wall. A few weeks later, the Reagans and Gorbachevs were together again, this time in San Francisco. Like long-lost friends, the couples greeted each other with broad smiles and bear hugs. The following month, Reagan joined his predecessors and successor in speaking at the dedication of the Richard Nixon Presidential Library. He clearly enjoyed being a member of this unique fraternity.
The rest of the summer featured speeches in a variety of forums, including the opening ceremony at the Goodwill Games in Seattle, Washington, and the rededication of the Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Library and Museum in Abilene, Kansas.
In early September of 1990, the Reagans embarked on a ten-day trip to Europe. First stop, the newly united Germany. In Berlin, he returned to the Brandenburg Gate, where he had called for the Berlin Wall to be torn down, and actually took a chisel to a remaining section. Witnesses described the scene of Ronald Reagan chipping away at the Berlin Wall as surreal. Chancellor Helmut Kohl awarded his former colleague the Grand Cross Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany. From Germany, the Reagans traveled to Poland, where they toured the Warsaw Ghetto and the former president addressed the Polish Parliament. He also met with Lech Walesa and addressed workers at the shipyard in Gdansk. Many Poles credit former President Reagan and Pope John Paul II with being driving forces behind Poland’s freedom, and he was welcomed like a hero. Next stop was Russia. After a brief time in Leningrad, where they toured the Hermitage Museum, the Reagans went to Moscow. They were warmly received by the Gorbachevs. The former president addressed the International Affairs Committee of the Supreme Soviet and met with Boris Yeltsin, who was now president of the Russian Republic. The final leg of the trip took them to Italy for meetings with the country’s president and prime minister, and finally an audience with Pope John Paul II at Castel Gandolfo, outside of Rome.
Ronald Reagan visiting Germany, where he eagerly chipped away at a remnant of the Berlin Wall, September 1990.
The Ronald Reagan Presidential Library
Ronald Reagan addressing workers at the shipyard in Gdansk, Poland, 1990.
The Ronald Reagan Presidential Library
The rest of the year in Los Angeles brought visits from a host of world leaders, including President Herzog of Israel, Prime Minister Antall of Hungary, and President Zhelev of Bulgaria, among others. In November, Reagan’s much-anticipated autobiography, An American Life, was published, and the Reagans ended the year with a trip to England, where he addressed students and faculty at Cambridge University.
Nineteen ninety-one started off on a happy note for Reagan, when he and Nancy welcomed former Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher of Britain and her husband, Denis, for a private tour of his Presidential Library. A few days later, the former president celebrated his eightieth birthday, which he referred to as “the forty-first anniversary of my thirty-ninth birthday.”
The rest of the year unfolded much like the previous two. There were visits from a long and impressive list of world leaders, including President Chamorro of Nicaragua, President Walesa of Poland, President Landsbergis of Lithuania, Soviet Foreign Minister Shevardnadze, Prime Minister Rabin of Israel, President Havel of the Czech Republic, Prime Minister Nakasone of Japan, and Mother Teresa. Some were received in the former president’s office, some at his home, and some at the Presidential Library. Reagan appreciated and enjoyed the visits, and staying involved. But out of respect for his successor in the Oval Office, even in private meetings, Reagan never offered an opinion that differed on foreign policy issues.
He did, however, publicly differ with President Bush on one important domestic matter—passage of the Brady Bill. In an emotional speech to students and faculty at George Washington University on the tenth anniversary of the assassination attempt on his life, the former president stated his full support for the bill and urged swift congressional approval. He knew that he would face criticism from many in his own party for his position, but he believed it was the right thing to do, and he had given his word to Sarah Brady that he would help. Once Ronald Reagan gave his word, it was as good as done.
The Reagans with Jim Brady, 1991.
The Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation
In addition to unambiguously stating his support for the Brady Bill, former President Reagan’s speech at George Washington University was noteworthy for his poignant words to the students: “My young friends, savor these moments. Keep the memories close to your heart. Cherish your family and friends. As I learned ten years ago, we never really know what the future will bring.”
That speech was a high point of the year, but not the only notable one. In early May, former President Reagan returned to his old stomping grounds of Sacramento, California, where he addressed the Joint Legislature. Later in the month, he and Nancy traveled across the country to join Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip for dinner aboard the Royal Yacht Britannia, which was docked in Miami.
The indisputable highlight of the year was the November 4 dedication of the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum in Simi Valley, California. At the ceremony, the Reagans hosted an unprecedented gathering of five American presidents and six first ladies. It was one of Ronald Reagan’s proudest days, and in giving the library and museum to the American people he said: “My fondest hope is that Americans will travel the road extending forward from the arch of experience, never forgetting our heroic origins, never failing to seek divine guidance as we march boldly and bravely into a future limited only by our capacity to dream.”
The final trip of that year was to Mexico City, where former President Reagan met with President Salinas and former President de la Madrid of Mexico, and delivered a speech to Nueva Generación.
Five presidents walking in the courtyard of the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library, 1991.
The Ronald Reagan Presidential Library
The Reagans visiting with Colin and Alma Powell during a Reagan alumni reception preceding the opening of the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library, 1991.
The Ronald Reagan Presidential Library
Five presidents and six first ladies at the Ronald Reagan Library opening. From left to right: Lady Bird Johnson, Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter, Gerald and Betty Ford, Richard and Pat Nixon, Ronald and Nancy Reagan, George and Barbara Bush, 1991. The event was historic in that it was the first time five living presidents had been together in one place.
The Ronald Reagan Presidential Library
Ronald Reagan being greeted by supporters during a Bush–Quayle rally, Orange County, California, 1992.
The Ronald Reagan Presidential Library