Week of February 1, 1985
State of the Union address - President Regan apples for a historic simplification
of the nation’s income tax system, and he declared that new cutbacks in
government would fuel economic growth and defended his “star Wars” anti-
missile program.
After weeks of holding his punches, House Speaker
Thomas O’Neill Jr.
goes on the attack, dismissing
President Regan’s State of the Union address as
generalities of “a kindly old man.” O’Neal said the President
“hasn’t been honest with the American people. They
haven’t asked him for honesty.”
President Reagan turns 74 and the First Lady arranged a
private dinner to mark the occasion.
General Motors posts a 1984 net profit of $4.5 billion.
The Rockefeller family agrees to buy the 11.7 acres under Rockefeller Center in
Manhattan. All this time, they only owned the building. Price is $400 million.
In Silver Lake Kansas - a 6-year-old girl is killed when her playful lab grabbed
her scarf and dragged her through the snow, choking her to death.
Seen more and more for business - 1-800 toll-free vanity numbers. Just like 1-
800-Flowers.
Fender guitars - CBS is selling its Fender Musical Instruments unit to a group of
outside investors.
Gannett Co wins the bidding war to purchase the Des Moines Register
newspaper.
The nation’s unemployment rate increase slightly to 7.3% in January.
Entertainment news -
Elizabeth Taylor cancels her eighth trip to the altar, breaking off her engagement
to businessman Dennis Stein in an “amicable” split.
