(cheering) REAGAN: I, Ronald Reagan, do solemnly swear that I will faithfully execute the office of the President of the United States.

NARRATOR: Just as Republican Ronald Reagan took the oath of office, Ayatollah Khomeini of Iran released all 52 hostages.

PAT: I am convinced they suspected that Ronald Reagan would give them 48 hours and if the hostages weren't on the way home there would be military action.

NARRATOR: Though Washingtonians were excited to welcome the hostages, most didn't feel the same about the new president.

KOJO: Depressed would be a good way of describing the fact that Ronald Reagan was bringing with him a whole new political culture.

PAT: There were fur coats all over the place.

There was a perception that the California conservatives that came were a pretty rich crowd and not very much in touch with the average folks.

LISA: I think the, the gay community at that time had an understandable amount of trepidation.

You know, what was this president gonna be like?

TOM: I gave Reagan all the attention he deserved.

He was not a friend of the city.

NARRATOR: Others were more welcoming.

BARRY: President-Elect said they were one word different between president and resident, and he wanted to bridge the gap between resident and president, and I believe that, and I appreciate that because I'm the mayor of the city and he will be one of my constituents.

MAUREEN: I think he knew more about how Washington functioned than a lot of other presidents.

He was the only president that I've known who actually invited the local media to meet with him.

ARCH: When Reagan came to town that arts beat and entertainment beat just exploded because Reagan brought all of his show biz connections to town.

They had his first inauguration.

They had this huge event.

("America the Beautiful") And Reagan set the tone for movies and show business in Washington.

PAT: Washington was emerging as the great cosmopolitan world capital it is today.

It was a great time in America and it was a great time for the Reaganauts.

NARRATOR: Until March 30th, 1981.

(gunshots) As Reagan was leaving the Washington Hilton, John Hinckley Junior fired six times.

One shot hit Press Secretary James Brady, critically wounding him.

Another ricocheted off the presidential limousine, lodging in Reagan's lung.

MAN: What are you gonna do when you get home?

REAGAN: Sit down.

NARRATOR: Within a month, Reagan was back at work and the Washington Hilton had a nickname.

MATT: Meet over there, uh, over there by the Hilton.

The Hinckley Hilton.

SETH: The Hinckley Hilton.

I don't think I've ever driven by that hotel without thinking about it.

NARRATOR: For more clips and to watch the full program visit weta.org/decades.