The Day Ronald Reagan Was Shot
March 30, 1981
On that day in Washington DC John Hinckley Jr shot, and wounded President Ronald Reagan. Why did he do it? What led up to it and what happened after?
Erotomania
For the purposes of this historical discussion, we have to start with erotomania—a recognized condition in which an individual is under the delusion that another individual is infatuated with them.
Taxi Driver
Another important part of this story is Martin Scorsese's 1976 film, Taxi Driver, starring Robert De Niro and, most importantly, a young Jodi Foster. For those who may not have seen the film, De Niro plays Travis Bickle, a taxi driver loner who becomes obsessed with saving Iris Steensma, a 12-year-old street worker played by Jodi Foster. But why is this film such an important part of the story?
Taxi Driver
Because John Hinckley Jr was obsessed with this film. He saw it multiple times, connecting strongly to the Bickle character and developing an obsession with Jodi Foster—an obsession that went beyond what you might have ever imagined.
Yale University
In 1980, after reading an article in People magazine about how Foster (now a teenager) was taking classes at Yale University, Hinckley actually enrolled in a writing course at the institution just to be near her. But being near her wasn't enough.
