Ronald Reagan, the 40th president of the United States, served from 1981 to 1989, transforming the nation with his conservative policies known as 'Reaganomics', which focused on tax cuts and reduced government spending to stimulate economic growth. Born in 1911 in Tampico, Illinois, Reagan rose from a small-town background to become a Hollywood actor and later a political leader, emphasizing strong national defense and an assertive foreign policy against the Soviet Union. His presidency is remembered for significant economic improvements, a shift in U.S. political ideology, and his ability to connect with the American public as 'the great communicator'.