Letter From America By Alistair Cooke: The Reagan Years (1981-1988)

Sally Ride, America's first female astronaut, becomes an unwilling role model. The sound quality on this recording is variable/poor. This archive edition of Letter from America was recorded by one of two listeners, who between them taped and labelled over 650 Letter From America programmes from 1973 to 1989. It was restored by the BBC in 2014.

Margaret Thatcher's dedication to the 'special relationship' between Britain and America, and journalist James "Scotty" Reston's correct prediction on Thatcher's re-election.

Mrs Thatcher hopes for a second term - eyes are now on Reagan to see if he will do the same. This archive edition of Letter from America was recorded by one of two listeners, who between them taped and labelled over 650 Letter From America programmes from 1973 to 1989. It was restored by the BBC in 2014.

Reagan faced with Catholic anti-nuclear vote after bishops call for ban. The sound quality on this recording is variable/poor. This archive edition of Letter from America was recorded by one of two listeners, who between them taped and labelled over 650 Letter From America programmes from 1973 to 1989. It was restored by the BBC in 2014.

San Francisco mayor Diane Feinstein holds on to her post after handgun row ends in vote. The sound quality on this recording is variable/poor. This archive edition of Letter from America was recorded by one of two listeners, who between them taped and labelled over 650 Letter From America programmes from 1973 to 1989. It was restored by the BBC in 2014.

International monetary conference plan comes after French endorsement of arms policy at Williamsburg summit.The sound quality on this recording is variable/poor. This archive edition of Letter from America was recorded by one of two listeners, who between them taped and labelled over 650 Letter From America programmes from 1973 to 1989. It was restored by the BBC in 2014.

Immigration may be to blame for falling literacy rates highlighted by new national commission report. This archive edition of Letter from America was recorded by one of two listeners, who between them taped and labelled over 650 Letter From America programmes from 1973 to 1989. It was restored by the BBC in 2014.

Fears of Soviet aid for opposition prompt US to consider assisting El Salvador's embattled government. This archive edition of Letter from America was recorded by one of two listeners, who between them taped and labelled over 650 Letter From America programmes from 1973 to 1989. It was restored by the BBC in 2014.

President Reagan signs new social security bill despite his original claims of harder cuts. This archive edition of Letter from America was recorded by one of two listeners, who between them taped and labelled over 650 Letter From America programmes from 1973 to 1989. It was restored by the BBC in 2014.

Democrat candidate Harold Washington is elected Chicago's first black mayor in undeclared race battle for votes. This archive edition of Letter from America was recorded by one of two listeners, who between them taped and labelled over 650 Letter From America programmes from 1973 to 1989. It was restored by the BBC in 2014.

Intelligent computers - looking to a future of seriously smart machines. This archive edition of Letter from America was recorded by one of two listeners, who between them taped and labelled over 650 Letter From America programmes from 1973 to 1989. It was restored by the BBC in 2014.

Reagan's rhetoric reaches new heights with his bid for a 'Star Wars'-style missile platform. This archive edition of Letter from America was recorded by one of two listeners, who between them taped and labelled over 650 Letter From America programmes from 1973 to 1989. It was restored by the BBC in 2014.

Proposal to inform parents of contraceptive use for minors is nicknamed the 'Squeal Rule'. This archive edition of Letter from America was recorded by one of two listeners, who between them taped and labelled over 650 Letter From America programmes from 1973 to 1989. It was restored by the BBC in 2014.

Economic recovery sees Reagan shift his rhetoric back to the right-wing after 'Let Reagan be Reagan' calls. This archive edition of Letter from America was recorded by one of two listeners, who between them taped and labelled over 650 Letter From America programmes from 1973 to 1989. It was restored by the BBC in 2014.

Press coverage of Queen Elizabeth's sightseeing tour of California is dwarfed by that of Pope John Paul II's visit to Guatemala, El Salvador and Nicaragua.

The 50th anniversary of the financial crisis of 1933 that caused President Roosevelt to demand that all of the banks across the United States close their doors.

As Reagan enters his third year, it's time to look at possible contenders for the next election. This archive edition of Letter from America was recorded by one of two listeners, who between them taped and labelled over 650 Letter From America programmes from 1973 to 1989. It was restored by the BBC in 2014.

Why the West Coast view of China differs from the capital's. This archive edition of Letter from America was recorded by one of two listeners, who between them taped and labelled over 650 Letter From America programmes from 1973 to 1989. It was restored by the BBC in 2014.

Fears of a return to 'Munich mentality' block genuine talk on arms control. This archive edition of Letter from America was recorded by one of two listeners, who between them taped and labelled over 650 Letter From America programmes from 1973 to 1989. It was restored by the BBC in 2014.

President changes tack about economy and says government must take the lead in boosting growth. This archive edition of Letter from America was recorded by one of two listeners, who between them taped and labelled over 650 Letter From America programmes from 1973 to 1989. It was restored by the BBC in 2014.