1980: Ronald Reagan, U.S. President - "On the night of Nov. 4, 1980, just 16 years after he had spoken his mind in behalf of a man too far right to be elected President, the amateur politician who will become 70 in February watched state after state turn in his direction. For that, in part, Reagan is TIME'S Man of the Year — for having risen so smoothly and gracefully to the most powerful and visible position in the world. He is also the idea of the year, his triumph being philosophical as well as personal. He has revived the Republican Party, and has garnered high initial hopes, even from many who opposed him, both because of his personal style and because the U.S. is famished for cheer." —From TIME, January 5, 1981. (Reagan also shared the honor in 1983 with Soviet General Secretary Yuri Andropov.) Above: Reagan celebrates his California gubernatorial primary victory in 1966.
