President Reagan’s inauguration, 1981

As President Reagan's inauguration takes place, 52 US hostages are released in Iran.

• 15 mins

Press overkill on hostages return

Saturation coverage by TV networks as the hostages return from Iran.

• 14 mins

The new First Lady

Nancy Reagan is copied - and cartooned.

• 14 mins

Grim news on deficit

Reagan admits budget deficit much larger than feared.

• 14 mins

A meeting of minds, 1981

Thatcher's visit to the new president is anticipated as a love-fest.

• 14 mins

Inflation dips slightly

Public excitement over drop in inflation rate - but economists show less enthusiasm.

• 14 mins

Meet the neighbours

President Reagan to visit Canada amid fears over environment.

• 14 mins

US looks to Far East

Moves for better US-Far East relations.

• 14 mins

Assassination attempt on Reagan

President Reagan survives an assassination attempt by John Hinckley on 30th March 1981.

• 15 mins

Protecting the president

Calls for better protection after Reagan assassination attempt.

• 14 mins

Columbia space shuttle, 1981

Space shuttle Columbia makes first return landing.

• 14 mins

Reagan budget-cutting campaign, 1981

Axe falls on government spending as Reagan's budget cuts begin.

• 14 mins

Remembering Jack Thum, 1981

Mickey Rooney portrays professional clown Jack Thum.

• 14 mins

Grain embargo stalls

Embargo on grain exports to Russia fails.

• 14 mins

New York bomb threats

Mystery blitz of bomb threats after Kennedy Airport device kills man.

• 14 mins

Reagan at West Point

President Reagan addresses graduates at West Point.

• 14 mins

Reagan's policies stalled

Election promises fade as reality scuppers new administration's plans.

• 14 mins

Surgeons' insurance costs soar

Rising cost of malpractice insurance sees surgeons quitting.

• 14 mins

US-China relations warm

Arms deal announced as US relations with communist China warm.

• 14 mins

Reagan wins budget cuts

Surprise as House clears suggested budget cuts on single vote.

• 14 mins

British city riots

America shocked by violence erupting across the UK.

• 14 mins

Ottawa economic summit

Secrecy surrounds Ottawa summit talks.

• 14 mins

Royal wedding spectacle

US audiences applaud the theatre of the royal wedding.

• 14 mins

Baseball strike, 1981

The 1981 Major League Baseball strike comes to an end.

• 15 mins

Reagan breaks air strike

Air controllers strike broken by President Reagan.

• 14 mins

Neutron bomb backlash

Europe reacts angrily to Reagan's announcement of new bomb programme.

• 14 mins

Libyans challenge US aircraft

Reagan talks tough over Libyan intercepts of US airplanes.

• 14 mins

Fruit fly battle

California under siege by fruit flies.

• 14 mins

Inner city decay

Power outage highlights problem of urban infrastructure decay.

• 14 mins

First woman Supreme Court judge

Sandra Day O'Connor becomes first woman Supreme Court judge.

• 14 mins