1981 incident

The 1981 incident refers to the assassination attempt on U.S. President Ronald Reagan on March 30, 1981, outside a Washington, D.C. hotel. John Hinckley Jr. shot Reagan, aiming to impress actress Jodie Foster. Reagan was seriously wounded but recovered after surgery. The event heightened security concerns and led to changes in presidential protection procedures. Hinckley was committed to a mental institution and later sentenced to mental health treatment, with ongoing debates about mental health and gun violence. The incident remains a significant moment in U.S. history, emphasizing the importance of security around public figures.