Reagan Era Pageantry and Polarization

Many people have interpreted the early 1980s as an unusually image-conscious era In the United States. After the election of former movie star and California governor Ronald Reagan as president, the elaborate black-tie festivities surrounding his inauguration in January, 1981, were watched with fascination on televisions around the country. Reagan's inauguration served as an important symbol to many, representing sweeping changes promised by the new conservative Republican leader and ushering in a new era of prosperity. The previous president, Jimmy Carter-who had worn a plain business suit to his inauguration-had tried to project a more down-to-earth image. Many felt that the country's prestige had been diminished in recent years, and Carter's popularity had waned especially in the preceding 14 months, during which 53 Americans had been held hostage by Islamic fundamentalists in Teheran, Iran. On the very day of Reagan's inauguration, the hostages were released and...