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South Coast Exhibit Highlights Ronald Reagan, British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher Friendship

They were two of the world’s most powerful leaders, but they were also friends. A new museum exhibition in Ventura County is highlighting the unique relationship between Ronald Reagan, and British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher.

The two led their countries through the 1980’s, a time which included economic challenges, tensions with the Soviet Union, and two wars. Reagan was President from 1981 to 1989, and Thatcher was Prime Minister from 1979 to 1990. But, with the passage of more than three decades, many have forgotten about the Reagan-Thatcher relationship, and others weren’t even born yet.

Randy Swan is Supervisory Curator for the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum in Simi Valley, which is hosting the new exhibition, called “Reagan and Thatcher: The Friendship That Changed The World."  Swan says the exhibition features everything from clothes to mementos from the leaders.

Melissa Giller, with the Reagan Foundation, says some of the items for the exhibition came from the presidential library’s huge collection, while other pieces came from around the world.   The Reagan and Thatcher exhibition only runs for seven weeks. It’s free with admission to the presidential library. 

Lance Orozco has been News Director of KCLU since 2001, providing award-winning coverage of some of the biggest news events in the region, including the Thomas and Woolsey brush fires, the deadly Montecito debris flow, the Borderline Bar and Grill attack, and Ronald Reagan's funeral. 
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