Death and state funeral of Ronald Reagan
The death and state funeral of Ronald Reagan took place in June 2004. Ronald Reagan was the 40th President of the United States (1981–1989). Reagan died on June 5, 2004 at the age of 93 at his home in Bel-Air, Los Angeles, California. A state funeral was held in Washington, D.C. on June 11, 2004. He is buried at his presidential library in Simi Valley, California.
The mourning period started on June 6, 2004, the day after Reagan's death. Memorials were held initially near Reagan's home and at his presidential library. The casket was then flown to Washington, D.C. on June 9, 2004 for public viewing and tributes at the U.S. Capitol. A state funeral, which all former U.S. Presidents are entitled to, was conducted at the Washington National Cathedral on June 11, 2004. The state funeral was executed by the Military District of Washington (MDW) in accordance with a 138-page document established by the agency. After the funeral, Reagan's casket was transported back to California for internment at the Reagan Presidential Library.
News of Death
At 16:50 ET (20:50 UTC) on June 5, 2004, CNN anchor Fredericka Whitfield was anchoring "Dollar $igns" when she said: "This is breaking news...Ronald Reagan...apparently died at the age of 93...This being confirmed by our John King (then-CNN senior White House correspondent)." Later, King, who was traveling with President George W. Bush in Paris, came on the air and said that Bush was told that Reagan had died.[1]
Reagan had been suffering from Alzheimer's Disease for a decade. The morning of his death, there were reports indicating that his health had significantly deteriorated. Reagan died at his home in Bel Air from pneumonia at 16:00 ET (20:00 UTC). When he died, his wife, Nancy, and two of his children, Ron and Patti, were at his side. His eldest surviving child, Michael, was with his father the day before. Following his death, Mrs. Reagan released the following statement:
- "My family and I would like the world to know that President Ronald Reagan has passed away after 10 years of Alzheimer's Disease at 93 years of age. We appreciate everyone's prayers."
In 2003, Reagan's death had been incorrectly announced by CNN when his pre-written obituary (along with those of several other famous figures) was inadvertently published on CNN's web site due to a lapse in password protection.
Initial tributes
The news was a shock to millions around the world and there were many tributes to the former president from many people. People started to arrive at Reagan's home and set up a makeshift memorial. Bush had just concluded his state visit to Paris when he learned of the former president's death. He had just gone to bed when told the news at 22:09 local time (20:09 UTC) and made a statement a few hours later before going back to bed at the ambassador's residence there.[2]
News of Reagan's death put the presidential election on hold as it is considered disrespectful to campaign during a time of mourning. Around the world, differences were put aside among political party leaders as the death of the former president--any American president--bares great importance--since the president of the United States has a great deal of influence overseas, as well as within the US.
Early overseas tributes included those from Queen Elizabeth II, who bestowed Reagan honorary knighthood shortly after he left office, former British prime minister Margaret Thatcher, former Canadian prime minister Brian Mulroney, and the current Canadian prime minister, Paul Martin, who like Bush, got the news in France. Europe learned of Reagan's death just before midnight. Even though the news reached quite late for their first editions, many European newspapers put the news of Reagan's death on their front pages. Asia was just waking up. Former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev paid tribute as people in Russia were waking up.
Flags at the White House, across the United States, and around the world were ordered flown at half-staff for 30 days.
On the day after Reagan's death, the world marked the 60th anniversary of D-Day. Some of the world leaders who were in Normandy for the anniversary, including Martin, were questioned by reporters for their thoughts on Reagan. For Bush, Reagan's death shadowed the anniversary observances.[3] Because Reagan was in Normandy for the 40th anniversary, the presence of many of the American veterans, the queen, her husband, Prince Philip, and Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands brought back memories of that anniversary because they were there with Reagan then.
State funerals in the United States
In the United States, state funerals are entitled to presidents by law. Reagan's was the first in more than 30 years. The last one was for Lyndon Johnson in 1973, a president Reagan himself paid tribute to. Only one president died in the interim--Richard Nixon, in 1994. However, he didn't have a state funeral on his family's wishes.
People around the world were told that Reagan was expected to lie at his presidential library, then be flown to Washington to lie in state on Capitol Hill and that the funeral service would be held at the Washington National Cathedral, after which he would return to his presidential library to be buried at sunset. A spokesperson for the family said that Reagan himself planned these honors since he was president in 1981.[4] After the family outlined the schedule of events, Bush declared June 11 the day of the funeral, as a national day of mourning,[5] and ordered the federal government closed.[6]
During the funeral services, each time Nancy Reagan appeared in public, she was escorted by a military officer, Army Major General Galen Jackman, commanding general of the Military District of Washington (MDW). It is the custom for a military member to escort families of deceased veterans in these circumstances. The last spouse of a deceased president to get this escort was Lady Bird Johnson. This was because Pat Nixon, wife of Richard Nixon, died before her husband.
Several songs were played at each event of the week, including when the casket was moved into the Library, out of the Library, into and out of the Capitol, into and out of the Washington National Cathedral and finally, at the private internment ceremonies. These songs included "Hail to the Chief," "My Country 'Tis of Thee", "The Battle Hymn of the Republic", "God of Our Fathers," "God Bless America," and "America the Beautiful." The casket was draped in the Stars and Stripes throughout its journey. The Stars and Stripes was the same one that flew over Capitol Hill on January 20, 1981, when Reagan was inaugurated for the first time.
Memorials at the Reagan Presidential Library
The Reagan Presidential Library, Reagan's birth home in Tampico, Illinois, the funeral home where Reagan's body was taken to hours after he died, and all U.S. embassies and consulates overseas became places to mark Reagan's death. People came to these areas with messages of condolences and tributes to Reagan.
In Santa Monica, Ca., on June 7th, Reagan's body was removed from the funeral home, driven by hearse in a simple procession through the streets and highways of Los Angeles, and on to the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley.[7]
Reagan was carried by an honor guard of military men, representing all branches of the United States Armed Forces into the lobby of the library to lie in repose (the deceased can only lie in state in the rotunda on Capitol Hill). There, a brief service was conducted by the Rev. Michael Wenning, former pastor of the Bel Air Presbyterian Church and a close friend of the Reagans. Perhaps the most moving part of the service was Nancy Reagan leaning her head against the coffin.
After the family left, the doors of the Reagan Presidential Library opened, doing so at 15:00 ET (19:00 UTC), an hour after the hearse arrived. People filed by at a rate of 2,000 an hour throughout the night. One of the first to pay their respects was California Republican Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, who like Reagan is a movie star-turned governor, and his wife, Maria Shriver, whose father, Sargent Shriver, suffers from Alzheimer's. Massachusetts Senator John Kerry, the Democratic presidential nominee, also came to pay his respects. In all, about 105,000 visited the Reagan Presidential Library when Reagan's body lay there. The doors closed at 01:00 ET (05:00 UTC), June 9.
On June 9, Reagan's body was removed from the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library. Reagan's casket was driven by hearse in a simple procession through southern California to Naval Base Ventura County, in Point Mugu, California, the airfield he flew into and out of when president. Thousands of people gathered to witness the plane's depature. The aircraft was known as SAM 28000, not Air Force One, because it has that designation only when the president is on board. The plane left Point Mugu just after 12:00 ET (16:00 UTC). Just before she boarded the plane, Mrs. Reagan waved to the crowd, as she had done many times with her husband, with her military escort at her side.
Tributes on Capitol Hill and funeral preparations
In Washington in the days immediately following Reagan's death, members of Congress, both members of the House and Senate paid tribute to Reagan and would continue to do so in different ways during the days ahead. Both houses also passed a concurrent resolution to make the rotunda available for the lying in state starting on June 9.
Preparations were underway for the state funeral the day after Reagan died, as military personnel rehearsed each drill of the funeral. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) designated the state funeral events a National Special Security Event (NSSE), making the Secret Service in charge of security[8]. The designation provided additional security measures and a higher number of security personnel because at least 20 heads of state and government planned to attend and there were also threats of a terrorist attack. This also marked the first time Washington was hosting a major event since September 11, 2001.
Attorney General John Ashcroft told a Senate hearing: "It is a sad commentary when the observation of a memorial service for a former president of the United States must be labeled a national security special event. Such is the fact of modern life in Washington and such is the nature of the war against al Qaeda." DHS was handling another NSSE at the same time, the G-8 Summit in Sea Island, Georgia.
Capitol Hill events
The events in Washington began at Andrews Air Force Base on June 9, outside Washington in the Maryland suburbs. At 17:00 ET (21:00 UTC) the plane landed at Andrews. After the plane touched down, a ceremony took place. Just before the plane landed, the Capitol had to be evacuated At the end, it was a false alarm: a plane carrying Kentucky Governor Ernie Fletcher was off course and entered restricted airspace.
Funeral procession
After Reagan's coffin was removed from the plane, it was driven by hearse in a simple procession through the Maryland and Virgina suburbs and the nation's capital and onto Constitution Avenue. Right by the ellipse, at 16th St. and Constitution and within sight of the White House, Reagan's body was transferred from the hearse to the caisson, drawn by seven black geldings, for the procession to Capitol Hill. Someone in the crowd yelled, "God Bless you, Nancy," as the casket was transferred.
People applauded as the cortege began the journey to the hill. Many more down Constitution Ave. would do the same. Military units, led by the Army Band, escorted the caisson as it made its way to the hill to the sounds of the muffled drums. Behind the caisson, came the riderless horse, Sgt. York, with Reagan's boots reversed, indicating that the warrior has fallen and will never ride again. The caisson paused at 4th and Constitution, where 21 Air Force F-15's flew over in missing-man formation. The mood during the procession was much different than what it was during the previous state funeral--for LBJ. This was celebratory and had the feel of a parade, in contrast to the sadness and recrimination that marked LBJ's, which happened when the wounds of the Vietnam War were still raw.
On Capitol Hill, a 21-gun salute was fired and several songs were played by the Army Band. Two teams of military honor guards carried the coffin up the steps – 116 steps. This was a very heavy coffin and a very steep ascent. However, the chief of both honor guards was the same person: Army Captain Kevin Jefferson.
At past state funerals the caskets was carried up the east front steps, Reagan's was carried up the west front steps for two reasons. First of all, when Reagan was inaugurated the first time, he was inaugurated on the west front, because he wanted to face west, towards California. Secondly, there was construction work being done on the east front.
Reagan's casket was carried into the rotunda to lie in state. On arrival in the Capitol rotunda, a short memorial service was held. Reagan's casket rested on the catafalque that rested those of Abraham Lincoln, LBJ, and seven other presidents.
Capitol Hill ceremonies
The Reverend Daniel Coughlin, the House chaplain, gave the invocation, then came the eulogies. Delivering the eulogies were Senate President pro tempore Ted Stevens, House Speaker Dennis Hastert, and Vice President Richard Cheney[9]. All three presided over the service because President George W. Bush was in Sea Island, Georgia, hosting the G-8 Summit. Cheney noted that the rotunda was where Reagan was he was inaugurated for his second term as president in 1985 because of freezing cold temperatures.
After the eulogies, the eulogists laid a wreath. Nancy Reagan then touched the flag on her husband's casket. The Air Force Singing Sergeants sang "America the Beautiful" before the Senate chaplain, the Reverend Barry Black, a retired Navy rear admiral, gave the benediction. The dignitaries, which included members of Congress, senators, and members of the diplomatic corps, paid their respects during the next half hour.
Public viewing
After the dignitaries paid their respects, the doors of the Capitol were open to those who were outside when the caisson arrived on the hill. The doors opened at 21:00 ET (01:00 UTC) on June 10, about four hours after the caisson arrived. They stayed open until 09:30 ET (13:30 UTC) on June 11. Like in California, the people in line represented a cross-section of the world, young and old, from different backgrounds and different parts of the world, united in their grief and in their belief in the man. People passed by at a rate of about 5,000 an hour. In all, about 106,000 went to Capitol Hill when Reagan lay in state.[10]
After returning to Washington following the G-8 Summit, President George W. Bush and his wife, Laura visited the rotunda to pay their respects. Many world leaders and dignitaries did the same, including Iraqi Acting President Ghazi al-Yawer, who had been at the G-8 Summit, former Soviet president Mikhail Gorbachev, and former Polish president Lech Walesa, all of whom would represent their respective countries at the funeral. World leaders who had been at the summit, but decided not to extend their stay in the U.S., paid tribute to Reagan there. Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi began his final press conference this way: "First of all, I should like to express from the very bottom of my heart condolences for the passing of President Ronald Reagan who was deeply respected by the people of the United Sates and who left many important achievements."
Nancy Reagan greeted visitors throughout the day at Blair House. Among the visitors included the Bushes, former president George H. W. Bush and his wife, Barbara, Gorbachev, former British prime minister Margaret Thatcher, former Canadian prime minister Brian Mulroney, and Britain's Prince Charles. Some of them signed the book of condolences at Blair House.
State funeral
The events of June 11th began in Washington. Just after the doors closed, the people came, there for the final, quiet moment on Capitol Hill, taking place at about 10:30 ET (14:30 UTC). Inside, Nancy Reagan went into the rotunda to pay her respects. Then the departure ceremony took place with the Navy band playing several selections.
Crowds lined the route of the cortege as the hearse made its way to the Washington National Cathedral, where the funeral service would be held. As they have done in the past few days, people waved American flags and applauded as Reagan made one final journey through Washington.
Dignitaries at the funeral
About 4,000 people gathered at the cathedral for the service, including President George W. Bush and his wife, his parents, former president George H. W. Bush, the only other American president who's an honorary knight and turned 80 the following day, and his wife, Barbara, members of the House of Representatives, Senators, one of them being Hillary Clinton of New York and her husband, former president Bill Clinton, past and present governors, the other former presidents and their wives – Gerald Ford and his wife, Betty, and Jimmy Carter and his wife, Rosalynn. This was the first gathering of all presidents since the memorial service to honor the victims of 9/11 in 2001, also held at the cathedral. Former vice president Al Gore and his wife, Tipper also attended the event. This marked the first time Gore, the democratic nominee for president in 2000, had met with President Bush since the 9/11 memorial service.[11]
Foreign dignitaries also attended – 218 of them from 165 nations. The dignitaries included 36 past and present heads of state and government (25 current, 11 past). Leading the dignitaries were former Soviet president Mikhail Gorbachev, former British prime minister Margaret Thatcher, former Canadian prime minister Brian Mulroney, his wife, Mila, and Britain's Prince Charles, representing Queen Elizabeth II. Many of the current world leaders, including another honorary British knight, Afghan President Hamid Karzai, and Iraqi Acting President Ghazi al-Yawer, who attended the service had been at the G-8 Summit in Sea Island, Georgia. Among them where the current British prime minister, Tony Blair, his wife, Cherie, German Chancellor Gerhard Schroder, Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, and Jordan's King Abdullah.
Eulogies and readings at the funeral
Before the funeral, an interfaith service which former Missouri Republican senator Rev. John Danforth officiated, was carried out as Reagan himself had planned. Irish Tenor Ronan Tynan, a very close friend of the Bushes, sang "Ave Maria."
As Reagan himself planned, Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor, the first female Supreme Court justice, whom he appointed, gave a reading. After the reading came the eulogies. Delivering the eulogies were Thatcher, and both Bushes.[12] Thatcher gave hers via video because doctors had advised her not to speak in public after having a series of strokes. Before Thatcher gave her eulogy, Danforth made note of her health problems, telling the congregation: "President Reagan's deepest long-held wish was that Lady Thatcher should participate in this service. But as the years have passed, Lady Thatcher's health, too, has suffered its ups and downs. Eighteen months ago, her doctors advised her to give up all formal public speaking. But she was determined to record her tribute to President Reagan come what may, and this she has done. She was equally determined, on learning of the president's death, to be with us today. The next voice you will hear will be Lady Thatcher's." Mulroney paid his second tribute to Reagan in his eulogy; earlier he appeared on CBC News Morning, the CBC's morning news program, and shared his thoughts about Reagan with one of the program's anchors, the network's senior correspondent, Alison Smith. The elder Bush first spoke, then the younger Bush. The younger Bush spoke from the same pulpit he spoke from during the memorial service to honor the victims of 9/11.
Tynan then closed the service with "Amazing Grace." His presence, as well as that of Irish President Mary McAleese had quite a meaning because Ireland is the land of Reagan's forebears.
Internment at the Reagan Presidential Library
After the service, the casket was removed from the cathedral, driven by hearse for the final time through the streets of the country's capital and the Maryland suburbs to Andrews Air Force Base for the final journey home. Crowds lined the route as the hearse made its way to the air base. The family and close friends boarded the plane that would take Reagan's body from Washington to California. Nancy Reagan waved farewell to the crowds just before she boarded the plane.
About five hours after the plane left Andrews Air Force Base, it touched down for the last time at Naval Base Ventura County, Point Mugu, Ca. There were sailors from the USS Ronald Reagan on hand to witness the plane's arrival.
Reagan's body was driven by hearse on one final trip though the streets in southern California. As they had done throughout the week, crowds gathered along the motorcade route, as it went on its 25-mile journey to Reagan's final resting place, his presidential library in Simi Valley, there the sunset burial service took place. Like in Washington, the crowds could recognize the motorcade by seeing the American and presidential flags, as well as the presidential seal on the hearse. Because of large crowds along the motorcade route, the cortege arrived at the presidential library about 45 minutes behind schedule, at 21:45 ET (01:45 UTC).
The service drew 700 people, mostly Hollywood actors and other celebrities like Bo Derek, Tom Selleck, and Wayne Newton. There were also dignitaries as well: former British prime minister Margaret Thatcher, who traveled on the plane from Washington, sat next to California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and his wife, Maria Shriver, and former California governor Pete Wilson.[13]
The three surviving Reagan children gave the final eulogies at the internment ceremony.[14] This was only the second presidential burial in which there was a eulogy. The other was that of LBJ.
Then, the Air Force Band of the Golden West played four ruffles and flourishes and the congregation and the Army chorus sang the national anthem. A bagpier played "Amazing Grace" preceding Reagan's casket as it was moved to the grave site. There, Wenning gave the burial rites, followed the last military honors: the last 21-gun salute for Reagan, followed by the benediction, firing of three volleys, and the Taps. Four Navy F/A-18 fighter jets flew over in missing-man formation before the flag was folded (the band played "America the Beautiful" as the flag was folded) and presented to Mrs. Reagan.
Perhaps the most moving part of the entire week came after she got the flag: she hugged her husband's coffin, as she had done, but this time, she couldn't let go, kissing it and saying, "I love you," and cried as the sun started to set. The weeping wife was surround by her children, At the same time, the band played and the Army Chorus and the congregation sang together "God Bless America."
Tributes on the day of the funeral
In the United States, there was silence across the country at 11:30 ET (15:30 UTC) to mark the start of the funeral. Many governors asked citizens in their states to observe it at that time. Many governors also declared the day of mourning as a "day of remembrance." Houses of worship heeded a request from Nancy Reagan to toll their bells 40 times at the end of the funeral service, which happened at 13:00 ET (17:00 UTC). All U.S. Army stations throughout the world fired a 21-gun salute at 12:00 local time and a 50-gun salute at sunset. Many Americans stopped what they were doing and watched the funeral on television. Millions around the world joined Americans in watching the funeral, tuning into 24-hour news networks for live telecasts. Millions more followed it through computers – the White House and many news sites allowed people to follow live webcasts of the funeral.
In some countries, U.S. ambassadors appeared on radio and television and gave interviews, like Paul Cellucci did in Canada. Commentators began their interviews with U.S. ambassadors with messages of condolences, as they noted America's day of mourning, like it was done with Cellucci.[15]
Some countries also shared America's day of mourning. Canadian Prime Minister Paul Martin ordered not just the flag on the Peace Tower, but all flags across Canada flown at half-staff.[16] German Chancellor Gerhard Schroder did the same for flags across Germany.
One of the largest tributes outside of the United States occurred in Canada. In Ottawa, over 70,000 people came for a moment of silence on Parliament Hill, taking place at 12:00 ET (16:00 UTC) and televised live across Canada. (CBC and CTV broadcast it on their main networks only. Their respective cable networks, CBC Newsworld and CTV Newsnet, broadcast the funeral, like all other 24-hour news networks around the world.)
The events started inside when Defence Staff Chief General Ray Henault and Cellucci, who requested it, led the former prime ministers – Joe Clark, John Turner, Kim Campbell, and Jean Chrétien, and cabinet members into the Hall of Honour to sign the books of condolences. The two sons of Pierre Trudeau were also there, as was Chrétien's wife, Aline. Nearby, former NDP leader Alexa McDonough, an MP, shared her thoughts on the events on both sides of the border with the CBC's Julie Van Dusen in the Hall of Honour. Then the main ceremony took place. As the two surviving Trudeau sons, Sacha and Justin, and the former prime ministers gathered near the howitzers, the 21-gun salute began on Parliament Hill. At the same time, the Canadian Forces Central Band played the Canadian and U.S. national anthems.
The band also closed the ceremony by playing "Auld Lang Syne." When the band played, MP's and people in the crowd, which included past MP's and cabinet members, among them former deputy prime minister John Manley, who ran for the Liberal Party leadership in 2003, applauded. A photographer took a picture of Stockwell Day, representing the opposition leader, McDonough, representing the NDP leader, and members of the Cabinet as they were applauding. Manley stood next to two cabinet members – the current deputy prime minister, Anne McLellan, and Pierre Pettigrew.
Criticisms of the funeral coverage
The ceremonies in connection with Reagan's funeral were received critically by a number of commentators. Richard Goldstein wrote in The Village Voice: "Because the networks had so long to plan for this production, and because Nancy Reagan is a master dramaturge, this was the most precisely mounted news event in modern times. Each gesture was minutely choreographed, every tear strategically placed."[17]
Reagan's family did indeed have the final say in the funeral arrangements.
Others complained that the television coverage of the funeral was excessive and preempted coverage of other events. For example, CBS News anchor Dan Rather was quoted as saying: "Even though everybody is respectful and wants to pay homage to the president, life does go on. There is other news, like the reality of Iraq. It got very short shrift this weekend."[18]
Obituaries were not universally full of uncritical praise. Tom Carson's piece in The Village Voice paints Reagan as a "noted fantasist" who "is perhaps best remembered for the eight years he spent believing he ruled an entirely fictional United States."[19]
Tribute at the Republican National Convention
Later in 2004, delegates to the Republican National Convention paid tribute to Reagan in different ways. Many of the speakers from California and Illinois, like California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and House Speaker Dennis Hastert, mentioned Reagan in their speeches and compared him to George W. Bush. Those from Illinois, including Hastert, compared Bush to both Reagan and Abraham Lincoln, another great son of their state.
On the third night of the convention, September 1, Reagan's eldest son, Michael, spoke to the delegates and introducted a video, which he dedicated to everyone who helped make his father president of the United States. Scenes from the funeral were shown in the video. As he spoke, he thanked Americans for what they did during the week of ceremonies.[20]
References
- ^ "Ronald Reagan Dies at 93", CNN Breaking News, June 5, 2004.
- ^ George W. Bush, "President's remarks on the passing of President Ronald Reagan". Press release, Office of the Press Secretary, June 5, 2004. (Video)
- ^ "Veterans mark 60th anniversary of D-Day". CTV News, June 6, 2004.
- ^ "Reagan observances to span five days". CNN Inside Politics, June 6, 2004.
- ^ George W. Bush, "Announcing the death of Ronald Reagan". Press release, Office of the Press Secretary, June 6, 2004.
- ^ George W. Bush, "Executive order providing for the closing of government departments and agencies on June 11, 2004 ". Office of the Press Secretary, June 6, 2004.
- ^ "Thousands pay respect to Reagan in California". CTV News, June 8, 2004.
- ^ Jeanne Meserve and Kevin Bohn, "Security high for Reagan funeral". CNN Inside Politics, June 7, 2004.
- ^ "Reagan's Casket Arrives in Washington". CNN Live Event/Special. June 9, 2004.
- ^ Daniel Lak, "Reagan lies in state at Capitol". BBC, June 11, 2004.
- ^ "Slideshow: Funeral service". CNN.com.
- ^ "THE STATE FUNERAL OF RONALD REAGAN". CNN Live Event/Special, June 11, 2004
- ^ David Willis, "Private burial for Ronald Reagan". BBC, June 12, 2004.
- ^ "Reagan's children's eulogy remarks". USA Today, June 12, 2004.
- ^ "Ronald Reagan laid to rest in California". CTV News, June 12, 2004.
- ^ "Half-Masting of the Flag", Canadian Heritage.
- ^ Richard Goldstein, "Das Rongold: Reagan's funeral as a Wagnerian opera. Plus: Eminem as censor". The Village Voice, June 15, 2004. Retrieved May 10, 2005.
- ^ Gail Shister, "Network anchors see excess in Reagan funeral coverage". The Philadelphia Inquirer, June 8, 2004. Retrieved May 11, 2005.
- ^ Tom Carson, "Death of a salesman: Ronald Reagan, 1911–2004". The Village Voice, June 7, 2004. Retrieved May 11, 2005.
- ^ "Text: Remarks by Michael Reagan to the Republican National Convention". The Washington Post, September 1, 2004.
External links
- State Funeral of Ronald Reagan-Military District of Washington
- State Funeral of Ronald Reagan-Washington National Cathedral
- White House-Remembering Ronald Reagan
- Ronald Reagan Memorial
- CNN Coverage of the Passing of Ronald Reagan
- Coverage on C-SPAN
- MSNBC Coverage of the Passing of Ronald Reagan
- Coverage in USA Today
- BBC Reagan's Mixed White House Legacy
- CBC In Depth-Ronald Reagan
- CTV Ronald Reagan-A Look Back