On March 2, 2011, the first president of the Soviet Union Mikhail Gorbachev celebrates his 80th birthday. He introduced the word “perestroika” into our vocabulary, profoundly changed the Soviet Union’s foreign policy, upheld glasnost and these are only a few things we remember him for.
© RIA Novosti / Go to the mediabankOn March 2, 2011, the first president of the Soviet Union Mikhail Gorbachev celebrates his 80th birthday. He introduced the word “perestroika” into our vocabulary, profoundly changed the Soviet Union’s foreign policy, upheld glasnost and these are only a few things we remember him for.
![Mikhail Gorbachev, a man who made history Mikhail Gorbachev, a man who made history - Sputnik International](https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/16282/66/162826626_0:0:0:0_600x0_80_0_1_ea6e85555fb3569d58be40e0634da6ba.jpg)
On March 2, 2011, the first president of the Soviet Union Mikhail Gorbachev celebrates his 80th birthday. He introduced the word “perestroika” into our vocabulary, profoundly changed the Soviet Union’s foreign policy, upheld glasnost and these are only a few things we remember him for.
© RIA Novosti / Go to the mediabankIt was thanks to Gorbachev that the Soviet people realized that the general secretary of the Communist Party’s Central Committee and the chairman of the Soviet Union’s Supreme Council Presidium was in fact a normal human being with a family, a wife, children and grandchildren.
![Mikhail Gorbachev, a man who made history Mikhail Gorbachev, a man who made history - Sputnik International](https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/16282/65/162826561_0:0:0:0_600x0_80_0_1_db57f3ab3fadc40481ad50b652582327.jpg)
It was thanks to Gorbachev that the Soviet people realized that the general secretary of the Communist Party’s Central Committee and the chairman of the Soviet Union’s Supreme Council Presidium was in fact a normal human being with a family, a wife, children and grandchildren.
© RIA Novosti / Go to the mediabankMikhail Gorbachev was first in many things. For example, in 1985, when still secretary of the Communist Party Central Committee, Gorbachev was among the first high-ranking officials to turn up with a family member, his granddaughter, at a polling station.
![Mikhail Gorbachev, a man who made history Mikhail Gorbachev, a man who made history - Sputnik International](https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/16282/65/162826593_0:0:0:0_600x0_80_0_1_6876361e2830e575612115416b1ad938.jpg)
Mikhail Gorbachev was first in many things. For example, in 1985, when still secretary of the Communist Party Central Committee, Gorbachev was among the first high-ranking officials to turn up with a family member, his granddaughter, at a polling station.
© RIA Novosti / Go to the mediabankMikhail Gorbachev was the first Soviet leader to pay an official visit to the Vatican. He met with Pope John Paul II in December 1989.
![Mikhail Gorbachev, a man who made history Mikhail Gorbachev, a man who made history - Sputnik International](https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/16282/65/162826546_0:0:0:0_600x0_80_0_1_e8c18663c20b1353c6dcede1166937f2.jpg)
Mikhail Gorbachev was the first Soviet leader to pay an official visit to the Vatican. He met with Pope John Paul II in December 1989.
© RIA Novosti / Go to the mediabankOn March 11, 1985, an extraordinary plenary session of the Communist Party Central Committee elected Mikhail Gorbachev the general secretary. On March 6, 1986, he was reelected. On March 15, 1990, Gorbachev was elected the Soviet Union’s first and only president.
![Mikhail Gorbachev, a man who made history Mikhail Gorbachev, a man who made history - Sputnik International](https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/16282/66/162826609_0:0:0:0_600x0_80_0_1_75421f8c9210c5a8fd70776c6e988403.jpg)
On March 11, 1985, an extraordinary plenary session of the Communist Party Central Committee elected Mikhail Gorbachev the general secretary. On March 6, 1986, he was reelected. On March 15, 1990, Gorbachev was elected the Soviet Union’s first and only president.
© RIA Novosti / Go to the mediabankMikhail Gorbachev’s term in office is associated with the end of the Cold War. In 1988, the Soviet leader paid an official visit to the United States.
![Mikhail Gorbachev, a man who made history Mikhail Gorbachev, a man who made history - Sputnik International](https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/16282/67/162826718_0:0:0:0_600x0_80_0_1_6e509687865b8f50aa66a6ee4d1b2a41.jpg)
Mikhail Gorbachev’s term in office is associated with the end of the Cold War. In 1988, the Soviet leader paid an official visit to the United States.
© RIA Novosti / Go to the mediabankIn July 1991, Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev and his American counterpart George Bush signed the START I treaty in Moscow. This was the first time the two biggest nuclear powers agreed to reduce their nuclear arsenals on equal terms.
![Mikhail Gorbachev, a man who made history Mikhail Gorbachev, a man who made history - Sputnik International](https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/16282/67/162826751_0:0:0:0_600x0_80_0_1_120a2af47bcb2be7894f94acdf61124e.jpg)
In July 1991, Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev and his American counterpart George Bush signed the START I treaty in Moscow. This was the first time the two biggest nuclear powers agreed to reduce their nuclear arsenals on equal terms.
© RIA Novosti / Go to the mediabankIn 1990, Mikhail Gorbachev was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize “for his leading role in the peace process, which today characterizes important parts of the international community.” Gorbachev donated all of his prize money – almost $1 million – to several hospitals.
![Mikhail Gorbachev, a man who made history Mikhail Gorbachev, a man who made history - Sputnik International](https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/16282/67/162826734_0:0:0:0_600x0_80_0_1_cc0c32a5a14d03f870073e4e791b997e.jpg)
In 1990, Mikhail Gorbachev was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize “for his leading role in the peace process, which today characterizes important parts of the international community.” Gorbachev donated all of his prize money – almost $1 million – to several hospitals.
![Mikhail Gorbachev, a man who made history Mikhail Gorbachev, a man who made history - Sputnik International](https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/16282/67/162826703_0:0:0:0_600x0_80_0_1_d750dab4120482a1c70ea4f093771dc0.jpg)
Mikhail Gorbachev and his wife, Raisa, 1988.
© RIA Novosti / Go to the mediabankMikhail Gorbachev’s historical role has always sparked controversy. People made up nicknames for him, mocked his manner of speaking, criticized and praised him. However, the very same people realized that Gorbachev gave them hope for a new life. The word that best describes Gorbachev’s era is Perestroika. This is why it was chosen for the exhibition to mark his 80th birthday that opened in January.
![Mikhail Gorbachev, a man who made history Mikhail Gorbachev, a man who made history - Sputnik International](https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/16282/66/162826665_0:0:0:0_600x0_80_0_1_c0ad5fe734f65f08c07d21a0edbe0baf.jpg)
Mikhail Gorbachev’s historical role has always sparked controversy. People made up nicknames for him, mocked his manner of speaking, criticized and praised him. However, the very same people realized that Gorbachev gave them hope for a new life. The word that best describes Gorbachev’s era is Perestroika. This is why it was chosen for the exhibition to mark his 80th birthday that opened in January.