Mikhail Gorbachev

Mikhail Sergeyevich Gorbachyov (Gorbachev) {{Audio|ru-Mikhail Sergeyevich Gorbachev.ogg|listen}} ({{lang-ru|??????? ?????????? ????????}}; pronunciation: {{IPA|/mixaˈɪɫ serˈgejevɪtʃ g?rbaˈtʃof/}}) (born March 2, 1931), was leader of the Soviet Union from 1985 until 1991. His attempts at reform led to the end of the Cold War, but also caused the end of the political supremacy of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union (CPSU) and the dissolution of the Soviet Union.

Political activity after resignation

Gorbachev founded the Gorbachev Foundation in 1992. In 1993, he also founded Green Cross International, of which he was one of three major sponsors of the Earth Charter. He also became a member of the Club of Rome.

Related Topics:
Gorbachev Foundation - 1992 - 1993 - Green Cross International - Earth Charter - Club of Rome

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In 1996, Gorbachev ran for re-election in Russia, but received only about 1 percent of the vote.

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In 1997, Gorbachev starred in a Pizza Hut commercial made for the USA to raise money for the Perestroika Archives.

Related Topics:
1997 - Pizza Hut - Perestroika Archives

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On November 26, 2001, Gorbachev also founded the Social Democratic Party of Russia—which is a union between several Russian social democrat parties. He resigned as party leader in May 2004 over a disagreement with the party's chairman over the direction taken in the December 2003 election campaign.

Related Topics:
November 26 - 2001 - Social Democratic Party of Russia - 2004 - 2003

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In early 2004, Gorbachev moved to trademark his famous port wine birthmark, after a vodka company featured the mark on labels of one of their drinks to capitalize on its fame. The company now no longer uses the trademark. Gorbachev to Trademark his Forehead

Related Topics:
Port wine - Birthmark - Vodka

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In June 2004, Gorbachev represented Russia at the funeral of Ronald Reagan.

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In September 2004, following Chechen terrorist attacks across Russia, President Vladimir Putin launched an initiative to replace the election of regional governors with a system whereby they would be directly appointed by the President and approved by regional legislatures. Gorbachev, together with Boris Yeltsin, criticized Putin's actions as a step away from democracy.

Related Topics:
Chechen - Vladimir Putin

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In 2005, Gorbachev was awarded the Point Alpha Prize for promoting German reunification along with former German Chancellor Helmut Kohl and former U.S. President George H.W. Bush. He also received an honorary Doctorate from the University of Münster.

Related Topics:
2005 - German reunification - German - George H.W. Bush - University of Münster

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