The following is a timeline of Ronald Reagan's presidency from his inauguration as the 40th president of the United States on January 20, 1981, to December 31, 1981.
January January 20 – Ronald Reagan's presidency begins with his inauguration at the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C.; the oath of office is administered by Chief Justice Warren E. Burger. The Iran hostage crisis ends minutes after the swearing-in with the release of the 52 Americans held hostage for the past 444 days. Reagan is notified of the release in his first presidential national security briefing and announces the release during a luncheon following his inauguration on Capitol Hill. Reagan, in his first official act as President and less than an hour after being sworn-in, imposes a hiring freeze. President Reagan says that the freeze will inevitably lead to the reduction of a notable quantity in the federal work force, and that he will permit rare exemptions when vital to maintaining services. January 21 – The cabinet of the Reagan administration meets for the first time officially. During the meeting, President Reagan declares that his priorities will be the reduction of the government's size, and controlling the federal budget. President Reagan attends the swearing-in of 39 senior White House aides; President Reagan tells the aides to make decisions with the intent of what is good for Americans instead of what may land another position for them. President Reagan speaks with former President Jimmy Carter, ahead of the latter arriving in West Germany. Reagan administration officials state there will be several days' worth of examinations made on the negotiations of the Iran hostage crisis. January 22 – President Reagan releases a memo to federal government and agency heads ordering a travel reduction by 15%, an outside professional services cut by 5%, and a furniture and other equipment purchase moratorium. Alexander Haig is sworn in as the 59th United States Secretary of State. January 23 – James Edwards is sworn in as the third United States Secretary of Energy. January 25 – President Reagan spends an hour meeting with families of hostages in the Iran hostage crisis, not permitting television or radio coverage. Reagan addresses the families and denies he will be attending the reunion of the hostages and their family members: "You don't need any outsiders. This is a moment for you and them." January 28 – Secretary of Energy Edwards tells reporters that he doubts the prices of gas will be increased much by the immediate deconstruction, though concedes prices could increase by 3 to 5 cents per gallon. January 29 – President Reagan holds his first presidential press conference, during which he critiques the Soviet Union as having leaders that "reserve the right to commit any crime, to lie, to cheat" in a sought revolution. January 30 – The White House announces that President Reagan has placed the entirety of his assets barring his two homes into a blind trust for the purpose of avoiding financial compensation for his choices during his tenure in office. Though State Department official William J. Dyess does not confirm the existence of a letter by Secretary of State Haig warning the Soviet Union intervention in Poland could strain its relations with the US, another official validates.
February February 1 – White House Chief of Staff James Baker says the Reagan administration inherited the worst economy in 50 years, that it will be the number one "priority of the administration" and that President Reagan will explain the economy in a televised speech in four days during an appearance on Face the Nation. The Soviet press accuse President Reagan of a "lies and hypocrisy" campaign regarding terrorist support from Kremlin. February 2 – President Reagan is interviewed by five publications in the Oval Office, asserting the Carter administration was wrong for negotiating with Iran during the hostage crisis. Sources report President Reagan is considering 1982's fiscal year having a budget cut of between 30 and 40 million. February 3 – Raymond Donovan is confirmed as United States Secretary of Labor. Secretary of Defense Weinberger holds the first news conference at the Pentagon since taking office, stating his consideration of the deployment of the nuclear warhead. February 4 – President Reagan announces the nomination of Seeley Lodwick to be Under Secretary of Agriculture for International Affairs and Commodity Program and the appointments of Stephen M. Studdert as Special Assistant to the President and Director of the Advance Office and Robert B. Carleson as Special Assistant to the President for Policy Development. February 5 – President Reagan has a televised address, saying in part that the US is in risk of "economic calamity" that can only be prevented with Congress adopting the administration's tax and spending cuts as well as regulatory reform. February 6 – The Senate approves a bill by President Reagan giving federal borrowing a raise by US$985 billion. February 7 – President Reagan issues a memorandum on the budget for the 1982 fiscal year. February 9 – Secretary of Transportation Lewis chooses to seek a one-year postponing of the passenger restraint rule. February 10 – Department of Justice officials detail policies that will be implemented with the passing of a legislative proposal including a tighter bail law, forming new ways to help crime victims, and federal jurisdictions being developed over crimes that are traditionally handled by authorities of the state. February 11 – Chief State Department spokesman William Dyess reports that the Reagan administration is "deeply concerned" with news that Israel wanting to make new settlements by closing off land on the West Bank. White House officials say the Reagan administration is composing a proposal shifting states to being responsible for the majority of funding for welfare, housing, healthcare, and food programs instead of the federal government. February 18 – President Reagan delivers an address before a joint session of the members of Congress outlining his administration goals. February 23 – President Reagan nominates Emanuel S. Savas for Assistant Secretary of Housing and Urban Development. February 24 – President Reagan reports the response to the economic program of the administration has been "enormously endearing" and answers questions during a White House briefing. President Reagan sends a message to Congress calling for their adherence to the Fishery Conservation and Management Act of 1976 and the agreement between the US and Norway on international fishery. February 26 – President Reagan sends a letter to Administrator of Veteran Affairs Max Cleland in acceptance of the latter's resignation. February 27 – President Reagan announces his appointment of Wendy H. Borcherdt for Associate Director of Presidential Personnel. February 28 – President Reagan nominates Gerald P. Carmen for Administrator of General Services.
March March 3 – President Reagan announces he does not believe there will be a need to send American troops into El Salvador and vows the continued pursuit of diplomacy to ensure the US does not stop involvement and allow "this hemisphere to be invaded by outside forces." March 5 – President Reagan says the federal government will contribute US$1 million to Atlanta in response to the 21 black children that either disappeared or were murdered. The House Budget Committee charges President Reagan with having overlooked misused dollars numbering in the billions that need to be eliminated ahead of Congress doing so to programs that are of worth. March 6 – President Reagan announces his intent for a federal payroll reduction of 63,000 employees by the end of 1983. March 9 – President Reagan signs a budget cut package in the Rose Garden of the White House. The package includes 300 federal programs to reduce government spending by US$6.4 billion and the fiscal year 1982's spending by US$48.6 billion. March 14 – President Reagan gives an address in New York City in the early afternoon. Reagan gives a public statement on the Westway Highway Project. March 16 – President Reagan gives a public statement on St. Patrick's Day. President Reagan gives an address to Associated General Contractors of America members during a reception appearance. March 17 – President Reagan speaks at the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture Dinner. March 18 – Secretary of State Haig says Central America is in the process of being aimed for takeover by the world communist movement. March 19 – Reagan administration sources report will send a "mild signal" requesting Japan voluntarily do away with their automobile exports. March 20 – President Reagan gives a speech at the Conservative Political Action Conference Dinner in the Grand Ballroom at the Mayflower Hotel in the evening hours. March 21 – President Reagan speaks briefly at the East Room Reception for Performers in and Sponsors of the Ford's Theatre Benefit Gala in the afternoon. March 23 – President Reagan sends a message to Congress in regards to the impact of new military facilities in communities. March 24 – Press Secretary James Brady reports that President Reagan has chosen to have Vice President George H. W. Bush chair the crisis management team of the administration. March 26 – In the later hours of the day, the Reagan administration states the possible intervention of the Soviet Union in the upcoming labor strike in Poland. March 27 – Secretary of State Haig says there is a "very dangerous" situation in Poland, predicting the weekend may be important, and that the US is considering giving further aid to Poland during a breakfast with reporters. March 28 – President Reagan announces the nominations of Antonio Monroig for Assistant Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, William A. Niskanen, Jr. for membership on the Council of Economic Advisers, James G. Watt for Chairman of the Water Resources Council, and Alex Kozinski for Special Counsel of the Merit Systems Protection Board. March 29 – Secretary of State Haig says that he is optimistic that Poland will avoid a major crisis due to moderate influence but notes "the situation is still very, very tense." March 30 – President Reagan is wounded, alongside three others, in an assassination attempt. March 31 – President Reagan resumes his official duties. He meets with Vice President Bush and three top aides from the White House. During breakfast, Reagan signs a bill supporting dairy-price. Vice President Bush says to reporters that he has briefly met with President Reagan and reports the latter's condition as "very well."
April April 1 – In response to the assassination attempt, the Illinois State Senate approves a bill outlawing handguns being sold or possessed, with offenders of the law being eligible to six years of prison if convicted. April 2 – Secretary of Defense Weinberger says steps being taken by the US are the direct result of the Soviet Union taking steps to increase the chances of its Poland invasion. April 3 – President Reagan has his temperature increase to 102 degrees before dropping to an almost normal degree. Benjamin Aaron describes it as a setback though a regular continuation of his injuries from the assassination attempt. April 4 – Egyptian and Western sources say Secretary of State Haig has told his Egyptian hosts that he could have prematurely ceased his Mideast trip due to Poland having increased in tension. April 5 – President Reagan meets with Vernon Jordan. President Reagan is reported to have run an intermittent temperature during the day and in his injured lung, doctors are said to have found particle traces.