“President Reagan was a great champion of free people and free markets,” said NYSE CEO John A. Thain. “He believed strongly in the ability of capitalism to foster opportunity and prosperity. It is appropriate that the nation’s markets on Friday will honor President Reagan’s contributions to freedom and democracy.”
President Reagan became the first sitting U.S. president to visit the NYSE on March 28, 1985, when he addressed the trading floor and Exchange community about his economic plan. He also visited the Exchange on May 13, 1992 with former Soviet Union President Mikhail Gorbachev as part of the NYSE’s bicentennial commemoration.