Reagan's 'Star Wars': The Strategic Defense Initiative

What happened

In a televised address, President Ronald Reagan announced the Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI), a research program to build a space-based shield against nuclear missiles. Critics dubbed it 'Star Wars,' and the technology remained largely unrealized.

Why it matters

SDI symbolized Reagan's confrontational 'Second Cold War' arms buildup and put new pressure on a Soviet economy already struggling to keep pace.

Sources

• Ronald Reagan Presidential Library. Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI) · Reputable source