Years in Office: 1981 to 1989

At age 69, Ronald Reagan was the oldest man in history to be elected President. Before entering politics he was a movie actor for nearly 30 years. He appeared in more than 50 movies.

When Reagan became president, the nation faced serious foreign and domestic problems. Relations between the U.S. and the U.S.S.R. were at the lowest point in years, and at home the country was experiencing high inflation, a recession, and high unemployment numbers.

By the end of Reagan's first term, he had strengthened the country militarily, ended the high inflation, succeeded in lowering the unemployment numbers, and helped the economy make a strong recovery.

The country was so pleased with his performance that he was elected for a second term, Reagan won by the greatest amount of electoral votes in history. (525 to 13).

Other events during his administration include, the appointment of the first woman (Sandra Day O'Conner) to the Supreme Court, the 1985 bombing of Libya in retaliation for its terrorist attacks, and the 1984 invasion of Grenada to establish political stability there.