In the presidency, character is everything. Born February 6, 1911, Ronald Reagan, “Dutch,” never knew he would become famous growing up. He served two terms as governor of California, but before that he starred in Hollywood films. Initially a liberal Democrat, Reagan ran for president of the United States as a conservative Republican and won his term starting in 1980. Ronald Reagan became the oldest president-elect when he took office as the 40th president of the United States. He was also the first American president after Dwight D. Eisenhower to win re-election and complete two full terms. Reagan served as president from January 20, 1981, to January 20, 1989. He was an effective president, measured by his popularity and by his influence on history. This former American president is credited with three major historic successes during his presidency: first, he won the Cold War without firing a shot, then he revived the American economy, resulting in substantial growth , and finally, it restored the traditional spirit of the American economy. a positive optimism for the American people who, in the late 1970s, were discouraged. These three historic procedures succeeded in improving American prosperity and peace through force, elevating Reagan's presidency to the status of American exceptionalism. Ronald Reagan came to the presidency without any major political qualifications, but his victory in the Cold War was not a happy outcome. Dinesh D'Souza's new book, Ronald Reagan: How an Ordinary Man Became an Extraordinary Leader, just published by Free Press, examines how Reagan helped end the Cold War. Ten years ago, Ronald Reagan stood at the Brandenburg Gate and said: "Secretary General Gorbachev, if you seek peace, if you seek prosperity for the Soviet Union and the East... middle of paper ......s of economic and political initiatives known as the "Reagan Revolution." His achievements in winning the cold war without firing a shot, restoring the American economy known as Reaganomics and its "Star Wars" predicament, his two presidential terms have not gone unnoticed. He restored to the American people the traditional spirit of positive optimism, making him a president who cannot be forgotten. Works Cited D'Souza, Dinesh. “How Reagan Won the Cold War.” National Review of November 24, 1997: 36-41. ProQuest. Internet. November 19, 2013. Holm, Hans-Henrik. “STAR WARS”. Journal of Peace Research 23 (1986): 1-8. JSTOR. Internet. November 20, 2013. Kudlow, Lawrence. “Reaganomics.” National Review of June 28, 2004: 28-9. ProQuest. Internet. November 20, 2013. “Ronald Reagan Quotes.” BrainyQuote. Xplore and Web. November 18. 2013. .