Today in history: What to do about Marcos

Ronald Reagan has homework: a statement on the Snap Election.

Caption for the above: Full Title: State Visit Philippines, President Reagan and President Marcos Meeting in the Oval Office, Night shots of Lincoln Memorial, Washington Monument, outside White House, Cuts of Entertainment by 5th Dimension then President Reagan's Remarks on the South Lawn (at Night) on September 16, 1982

This clip shows Marcos at the height of his powers, with an American President with whom he enjoyed good political and personal rapport. It’s a remarkable clip in showing the personal dynamics of the two and the animated expressions of Marcos.

The Philippine Diary project also includes diary entries related to the Philippines. An example is today’s entry from the diary of Ronald Reagan, February 15, 1986:

…There were more birthday & valentine gifts to open—phone calls to make & our new tractor to see.

There was also homework—a statement on the Philippine election—stolen by Marcos. I ordered Admiral Poindexter to contact our friends in Japan, Korea & Singapore about what course we might follow together. Then a call came re the Shuttle tragedy. Apparently the representative of the co. that makes the rocket boosters refused to sign the certificate for launch and someone in Florida got 2 N.A.S.A. officials to sign off without telling them of the negative report on the booster.

Weatherwise there was no change and Sat. we drove down to Pt. Mugu. I got on A.F.1 for the trip back to Wash. Nancy continued on into L.A. for a trip to Texas—a dinner there. She’ll be back in Wash. Wed. Rex & I are lonesome.

Marcos had been formally proclaimed the “winner” on that day. For more, see Chronology of a Revolution, as well as A Timeline of Martial Law and for more videos, see the story of the Marcos years told through newsreel clips: #ML50 through Newsreels.