President Ronald Reagan - Farewell Address January 11th, 1989 Ronald Wilson Reagan (/ˈreɪɡən/ RAY-gən; February 6, 1911 – June 5, 2004) was an American politician and actor who served as the 40th president of the United States from 1981 to 1989. A member of the Republican Party, his presidency constituted the Reagan era, and he is considered one of the most prominent conservative figures in American history In 2008, British historian M. J. Heale summarized that scholars had reached a broad consensus in which "Reagan rehabilitated conservatism, turned the country to the right, practiced a 'pragmatic conservatism' that balanced ideology with the constraints of government, revived faith in the presidency and American self-respect, and contributed to critically ending the Cold War", which ended with the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991. Many conservative and liberal scholars have agreed that Reagan has been the most influential president since Roosevelt, leaving his imprint on American politics, diplomacy, culture, and economics through his effective communication of his conservative agenda and pragmatic compromising. During the initial years of Reagan's post-presidency, historical rankings placed his presidency in the twenties. Throughout the 2000s and 2010s, his presidency was often placed in the top ten. Many proponents, including his Cold War contemporaries, believe that his defense policies, economic policies, military policies, and hard-line rhetoric against the Soviet Union and communism, together with his summits with Gorbachev, played a significant part in ending the Cold War. Professor Jeffrey Knopf argues that while Reagan's practice of referring to the Soviet Union as "evil" probably made no difference to the Soviet leaders, it possibly gave encouragement to Eastern European citizens who opposed their communist regimes. President Truman's policy of containment is also regarded as a force behind the fall of the Soviet Union, and the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan undermined the Soviet system itself. Nevertheless, Melvyn P. Leffler called Reagan "Gorbachev's minor, yet indispensable partner, setting the framework for the dramatic changes that neither anticipated happening anytime soon”

Ronald Reagan quote: "The nine most terrifying words in the English language are: I'm from the Government, and I'm here to help."

The Best of Ronald Reagan's United Nations General Assembly Speeches

Ronald Reagan and George Bush Debate, April 23, 1980

President Ronald Reagan delivers this memorable speech at the Brandenburg Gate on June 12, 1987

President Reagan's Address to the Nation Announcing Candidacy for Reelection, January 29, 1984

Watch a compilation of some of President Ronald Reagan's best debate moments while running for office.

President Ronald Reagan - "Evil Empire" Speech March 8, 1983

Ronald Reagan nominates Sandra Day O'Connor, 7/8/1981

President Reagan's Remarks on the Grenada Rescue Mission on October 25, 1983

President Reagan Greets President-Elect George Bush at White House on November 9, 1988

President Reagan Presenting the Presidential Medal of Freedom to Mother Teresa on June 20, 1985

President Reagan's Address Before a Joint Session of Congress on Economy Recovery - 02/18/1981

President Reagan Presents the Presidential Medal of Freedom Award to Kate Smith on October 26, 1982

President Reagan's Address to the Nation on U.S. Air Strike against Libya - 4/14/86

We begin bombing in five minutes" is the last sentence of a controversial, off-the-record joke made by U.S. President Ronald Reagan in 1984, during the Cold War.

Ronald Reagan's Inaugural Address and excerpts of Parade, U.S. Capitol, Washington, DC, January 20, 1981

President Reagan's Remarks at the Reelection Victory Celebration at the Century Plaza Hotel in Los Angeles, California on November 6, 1984

Ronald Reagan's Acceptance Speech at Republican National Convention in Detroit, Michigan, July 17, 1980

Ronald Reagan's Remarks "The Myth of the Great Society" Patton Center, New York, 1965-66