Ronald Reagan, originally an American actor and politician, became the 40th President of the United States serving from 1981 to 1989.His term saw a restoration of prosperity at home, with the goal of achieving peace through strength abroad. renewal of national self-confidence by 1984 helped Reagan and Bush win a second term with an unprecedented number of electoral votes. Their victory turned away Democratic challengers Walter F. Mondale and Geraldine Ferraro.