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Photojournalism and the American Presidency - Reading America's Photos
Photojournalism and the American Presidency - Reading America's Photos
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Ronald Reagan, Fortieth President
President Reagan and Soviet General Secretary Gorbachev, © David Hume Kennerly, UT Center for American History

Photograph by: David Hume Kennerly, 1985
During their first summit meeting, President Reagan and Soviet General Secretary Gorbachev hold a historic "fireside chat" in Geneva. A key moment in Reagan's engagement with the Soviet Union (which he dubbed an "evil empire"), the summit was widely considered a success.
audio clip"Moving The Chairs", David Hume Kennerly - transcript
audio clip"He Asked", David Hume Kennerly - transcript
Did you know?
Summit conferences between international leaders evolved after World War I as a reaction against secret diplomacy. They've acquired great symbolic value for launching policy initiatives, resolving conflicts and getting personal with other leaders--both friends and foes.
See also:
Mikhail Gorbachev
Ronald Reagan
 
Click below to enlarge photographs:
CIA director George H.W. Bush and former California governor Ronald Reagan dine together before a debate.President Reagan watches the evening news with his wife, Nancy, and greets her with a kiss in Knoxville, Tennessee. Reagan strolls with British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher.
President Reagan waves farewell after campaigning.Queen Elizabeth gets a hearty laugh from President Reagan.President Reagan in the Demilitarized Zone, South Korea
First Lady Nancy Reagan waves to her husband, who appears on a large video screen.President Reagan makes a speech at a rally.President Reagan holds up a pair of cowboy boots while campaigning.
President Reagan and Soviet General Secretary GorbachevThe Reagans give reassuring waves from Bethesda Naval Hospital.President Reagan waves to a crowd.
President and Nancy Reagan at the Challenger memorial servicePresident Reagan and Soviet General Secretary Gorbachev leave their second summit meeting.Ronald Reagan looks back into the Oval Office one last time.

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