President Reagan is Shot

Two weeks before the first shuttle launch, President Reagan gave a speech at the D.C. Hilton. It was March 31, 1981. John Hinckley, Jr., waiting outside the Hilton Hotel, planned to kill the President.

Hinckley fired his gun six times. Reagan, and three others, were wounded.

Immediately after the shooting, the President was thrown into his limo. He did not realize he'd been shot. His rib hurt, but he thought that happened when he'd been forcibly pushed into the car.

Then ... he coughed-up blood. His lung had been punctured.

The President was taken to George Washington University Hospital where he remained thirteen days.

This photo depicts the scene in front of the Hilton at the time of the shooting.