This Day in History: President Reagan Is Shot
This Day in History: President Reagan Is Shot

This Day in History: President Reagan Is Shot March 30, 1981 Outside of a Washington D.C.

Hotel, 25 year-old John Hinckley Jr. fired six shots at the president, hitting him once in the chest.

Press Secretary James Brady, Secret Service agent Timothy McCarthy and D.C.

Policeman Thomas Delahaney were also hit.

As Hinckley was overpowered by the Secret Service, President Reagan was rushed to the trauma center at George Washington University Hospital.

As he was prepared for surgery, Reagan quipped to First Lady Nancy, "Honey, I forgot to duck." The president returned to the White House less than two weeks later.

Found "not guilty by reason of insanity," Hinkley was institutionalized until 2016 and now lives in Colonial Williamsburg, PA.