Weldon E Howitt High School - Hi Life Yearbook (Farmingdale, NY)

Page 29 text:

U.S. News Reagan Accepts New Role The low-keyed, lopsided campaign gave no hint that Ronald Reagan would win the presidency. However, he stumped the country while Carter “stayed in the Rose Garden.” Before winning the nomination, Ronald Reagan, the favorite Republican can- didate, had to contend with six other can- didates. As a result of financial troubles, four of the six candidates dropped out of the race. George Bush remained, and put up a fight. He had won the first primary. Another candidate who remained was John Anderson. However, Anderson form- ed his own independent line, and his sup- porters pushed to get his name on the ballot, eventually succeeding. On the Democrat’s side, President Carter was the choice. Carter had refused to campaign until the hostages’ release, so the First Lady and Vice President Mondale took the job. Carter’s one challenger was Senator Edward Kennedy. However, pro- blems in Kennedy’s personal life decreased his popularity. The National Conventions took place in July and August. It would be President Carter against Reagan and his running mate, George Bush, and independent can- didate, John Anderson. Election night proved to be interesting. Everyone assumed it would be a very late hour when a winner would be declared. But, even before the polls closed in New York in the early evening, a winner was predicted — Ronald Reagan, by a landside. Volcano Erupts Following 123 years of inactivity, Mount St. Helen’s made the news as it erupted furiously in May of 1980. The eruption, which surprised the entire world, was 500 times greater in force than the atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima. The volcano shot hot ash into the atmosphere, along with many after shocks which shook the mountain’s base and surrounding countryside. With over 60,000 acres of flattened forests and dust-encrusted land, it is estimated that it will be at least 300 years until the surrounding area of the volcano can support normal vega- tion growth again. With at least 61 people reported dead or missing, and the mountain still moving within, how long and how many more eruptions will there be, before the mountain becomes dor- mant once again? Inauguration Day A bright, sunny January 20 marked Inauguration Day for Ronald Reagan and George Bush. Overlooking the historic Washington Monument, the former Govenor of California ended his 12 year quest for the White House as he took the oath of office from Chief Justice Warren Berger on the west steps of the Capitol. The new President’s Inaugural Ad- dress was unusually short and simplistic. He promised to relieve Americans of their economic miseries and to help restore our military strength overseas. In the past, the limelight of Inaugural Day belonged exclusively to the new Head of State, but not this one. Reagan shared it with the newly released hostages. Many times during televised broadcasts, stations broke away from inaugural ceremonies to show footage of the final moments of their captivity. Later in the day came the inaugural parade. The Reagans and the Bushs proudly waved to the audience as their limousines slowly drove along the parade route. This year the parade was much shorter than it had ever been before in recent history. President Reagan had requested it. President Reagan and Vice President Bush and their wives visited the various inaugural balls in Washington. At the same time in many cities, mock in- augural balls were held to celebrate the swearing in of a new administration, one the American people hope will bring better times. Close Call On March 30, 1981, America almost lost a president. President Reagan, Press Secretary James Brady, a Secret Service Agent, and a local policeman were shot in an attempted assassination by John W. Hinckley Jr. Reagan had just emerged from the Washington Hilton after delivering a speech to AFL-CIO delegates. Shots rang out hitting Brady, the policeman, and an agent. Another agent shoved President Reagan into his limousine, but not before a bullet entered his left lung. After three hours of surgery and ten days in the hospital, Reagan returned to his White House duties. Brady, who received a serious brain injury, was ex- pected to make almost a full recovery. MGM Fire On November 28, 1980, a fire engulfed the MGM Grand Hotel, the largest hotel in Las Vegas. Billowing smoke was responsible for most of the 83 deaths and 334 injuries. It was the second worst blaze in U.S. history. An inquiry into the blaze deter- mined that many of the lives could have been saved if more adequate alarm systems had been installed. Sprinklers were installed only on the first and top floors, meeting re- quirements at the time of installa- tion. Smoke detectors were not in- stalled in any of the rooms. Photo Credits: World Wide Photos Standing Outside U.S. News 25

Page 28 text:

Cover Story January 20, 1981: A Beginning and an End After 444 days of captivity in Iran, the 52 American hostages were released on January 20, 1981 — the same day as the Inauguration of the 40th President of the United States, Ronald Reagan. Carter’s presidency officially ended at noon when Reagan was sworn in. Thirty-three minutes later it was an- nounced that the freed Americans had taken off from Tehran Airport, the first leg of their trip to freedom. This was the final insult to Carter by the Iranians. He had so wanted to make the announce- ment about the release as President of the United States. The fifty-two Americans were taken to Tehran Airport, many not knowing they were on their way to freedom. After a few hours delay, they were led, one by one, through crowds of screaming Ira- nians, to an awaiting Algerian jetliner. Algerian officials prevented the angry mobs from doing any additional harm to the Americans. An hour and a half later, during his inaugural luncheon, President Reagan told the nation that the Algerian planes had left Iranian air space. After a refueling stop in Turkey and another in Athens, Greece, the planes landed at Algiers Airport at 8:00 E.S.T. Two U.S. DC-Nightingales waited on the runway to fly the ex-hostages to Rhein-Main Airport in Frankfort, West Germany. While at the airport in Algiers, the Americans were graciously welcomed by former Deputy Secretary of State, War- ren Christopher. Many of the Americans seemed stunned as they ap- peared before non-Iranian cameras for the first time in fourteen months. Several admitted that they didn’t believe they had been released until they saw the United States’ planes on the runway. Algerian Foreign Minister Mohammed Benyahia then officially turned over the hostages to Warren Christopher. Christopher thanked Benyahia and the Algerian government for their help in the negotiations that secured the release. Both Christopher and Benyahia then personally greeted each of the fifty-two, as anxious families back in the United States tried to catch a glimpse of their loved ones. The former hostages boarded the U.S. planes, and four hours later, were emerging from the planes, apparently much happier, before crowds of people who had come out to welcome them home at Rheine Main Airport. Buses were waiting to transport them to a U.S. Air Force Base Hospital in Wiesbaden, a twenty minute ride from the airport. The streets and entrance to the hospital were lined with people cheering the newly released Americans. Former President Carter, former Vice President Mondale, and former Secretaries of State, Cyrus Vance and Edmund Muskie, met the hostages that night at the hospital. The returnees were also deluged with gifts and kind words from everyone. After several days of debriefing and rest, the former hostages flew to West Point in New York to be reunited with their families, then on to Washington, and finally home to begin again. Americans Welcome Hostages Yellow ribbons, “Welcome Home” signs, and American flags began to ap- pear more and more frequently. The hostages were coming home and nobody was going to let them think we forgot about them. The word freedom was redefined. A spirit of nationalism and patriotism was more than evident. National pride was reborn. The country was pulling together as one, after twenty years of dormant feelings, to honor fifty-two Americans who risked their own lives to represent their country. The first of the many celebrations and welcome home receptions was on Sunday, January 25, 1981. The ex- hostages were flown to Stewart Airport in Newburg, New York, to be reunited with their families in a private recep- tion. No press was allowed near the area of the airport, as the plane carrying the Americans, dubbed “Freedom 1,” land- ed. The families were then driven to West Point in buses decked out with yellow ribbons. The road enroute to West Point was decorated with yards of ribbons and thousands of flags as the residents of the neighboring towns came out to say “Welcome back to freedom.” After two days in seclusion, on Tues- day, January 27, only one week after the release, the “returnees,” as they were called, flew to Washington for the na- tional welcome home. They were greeted at Andrews Air Force Base, just outside of Washington, by Vice Presi- dent Bush, Secretary of State Alexander Haig, and friends and relatives who weren’t able to greet them at West Point, as well as chants of Welcome home!” Once again, they boarded buses, and started the short trip to the White House for a ceremonial welcome. The streets were lined with people and the numbers increased as minutes elapsed. The hostages shook hands with the peo- ple, waved flags and cried, as they realized how much the American people cared about them. They were greeted by the President at the White House where they were reunited with Richard Queen, a fellow hostage who was released earlier for medical reasons. After a touching ceremony and speech by Presi- dent Reagan, Bruce Laigan, former Charges d’Affairs of the embassy in Iran, said his own thank-you to everyone on behalf of the ex-hostages. The ceremony ended with the singing of “God Bless America.” Several days later, on Friday, January 30, New York City offered yet another welcome home ceremony. Mayor Koch invited all of the returnees to a huge tickertape parade to take place from lower Broad way to City Hall, where each would be presented with special medals. Twenty-two of the former hostages and their families accepted Koch’s invitation. The festivities began the night before. The twenty-two and their families were treated to dinner and a Broadway show, and stayed at the Waldorf Astoria. The next day hundreds of thousands of peo- ple lined the streets to throw yellow tickertape, wave flags, and say hello. After the big parade, the ex-hostages returned to their hometowns where they were greeted by more parades and ceremonies. This time the celebrations were on a more personal level. Then Came Stories Before the former hostages had even reached American soil, stories began to emanate about cruel treat- ment. Several hostages told about mock executions, being tied to fur- niture and being beaten up. Others told of the terrible living conditions, worms in their food, and harassment. It was learned that one hostage had even attempted suicide. 24 Standing Outside Hostages

Page 30 text:

Hail Columbia A clear April morning set the scenario for the beginning of a new era. The space shuttle Columbia pushed the United States some ten years ahead of the Soviet Union, and set the country on fire with en- thusiasm and confidence. John Young, commander for the flight, and pilot Robert Crippen lifted off from Cape Canaveral, Florida to begin their 54 hour, 36 or- bit voyage. Despite earlier complica- tions with the computer and heat resistant tiles, everything functioned flawlessly and most of the critics of our space program were silenced. After a perfect desert landing before thousands of spectators, Col- umbia began preparations for a September flight. — U.S. World News Refugees Flood U.S. In April of 1980, Fidel Castro open- ed up all the prisons and asylums in Cuba, releasing thousands of Cubans and literally kicked them out of the country. But the United States open- ed its arms and welcomed the Cubans into our country. Boats began bringing the refugees from Cuba to Florida. Special camps were built so the processing of the Cubans could be done. Within a cou- ple of weeks, many of these people were on their way to other cities to begin a new life. Quake Hits Italy It registered 6.8 on the open-ended Richter scale. The devastating earth- quake that hit several Italian pro- vinces from Naples to the Apennines on November 23, 1980 was a human tragedy of vast proportions. It will take many months to restore the sur- vivors to normal life. The earthquake was the deadliest to hit Europe in 65 years. Before the quake had ended, 234,000 Italians were left homeless. The tragedy was compounded by the ineptitude of the Italian government. When the relief operation began, the attempt was bumbling and disorganized. However, countries around the world began campaigns to help the earthquake victims. Pope John Paul II and the President of Ita- ly toured the country, offering moral support for those who wanted it. Photo Credits: World Wide Photos Saturn Explored Question: What weighs 1,820 pounds, is driven by nuclear generators, and visited a destination 815 times the size of the Earth? The answer, of course, is the Voyager I Spacecraft. On November 12, 1980, Voyager I came within a few thousand miles of Saturn, the famous ringed planet. This event was a nonpareil technological achievement that gathered more infor- mation about Saturn in a week than was collected in all of history. New facts were also discovered about Saturn’s at- mosphere as well as the number of rings surrounding it. 26 Standing Outside U.S. and World News Unrest in Poland The recent labor unrest in Poland poses the gravest threat to the Soviet Union since it formed the Eastern Bloc after World War II. Solidarity, the workers’ union under the leader- ship of Lech Walesa, has been formed to make known the widespread dissatisfaction with the deteriorating economic conditions. A five-day work week and access to the media are two recent issues won by Solidarity. Solidarity has grown in number and power to become the third major power in Poland, behind the ruling Communist party and the Roman Catholic Church. This has made the Soviet Union anxious, and the presence of 55 Soviet divisions within striking distance of Poland is a real threat to the existence of Solidarity. Renewed disputes and labor strikes, and the inability of the government and unions to cooperate, could give the Soviet Union the ex- cuse it needs to interfere. We Count 1980 was also the year for the 10 year Census. Eighty-eight million forms were sent out and about 91% of those were returned. One of the major outcomes of the Census was that the Northeastern states’ populations decreased as those in the Southwest increased. As a result, states such as New York, Massachusetts, and Pennsylvania, lost representative seats in the House of Representatives while those states in the “Sun Belt,” such as Arizona, gained the lost seats.