Birth
Gorbachev was born on 2 March 1931 in the village of Privolnoye, Stavropol Krai, then in the Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic, one of the constituent republics of the Soviet Union.
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History of Mikhail Gorbachev
Monday Mar 2, 1931 to Present
Russia or U.S.S.R.
Mikhail Sergeyevich Gorbachev (born 2 March 1931) is a Russian and formerly Soviet politician. The eighth and last leader of the Soviet Union, he was General Secretary of its governing Communist Party from 1985 until 1991. He was the country's head of state from 1988 until 1991, serving as Chairman of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet from 1988 to 1989, Chairman of the Supreme Soviet from 1989 to 1990, and President of the Soviet Union from 1990 to 1991. Ideologically, he initially adhered to Marxism-Leninism although by the early 1990s had moved toward social democracy.
Candidate member of the Communist Party
In June 1950, Gorbachev became a candidate member of the Communist Party.
Marriage
On 25 September 1953 he and Raisa registered their marriage at Sokolniki Registry Office.
Graduation
In June 1955, Gorbachev graduated school of law (Moscow State University) with a distinction his final paper had been on the advantages of "socialist democracy" (the Soviet political system) over "bourgeois democracy" (liberal democracy).
Stavropol Komsomol
In August 1955, Gorbachev started work at the Stavropol regional procurator's office, but disliked the job and used his contacts to get a transfer to work for Komsomol, becoming deputy director of Komsomol's agitation and propaganda department for that region.
First Secretary of the regional Komsomol
In March 1961, Gorbachev became First Secretary of the regional Komsomol.
Secretary of the Central Committee
In November 1978, Gorbachev was appointed a Secretary of the Central Committee.
Chernenko died
On 10 March 1985 Chernenko died. He led the Soviet Union from 13 February 1984 until his death thirteen months later, on 10 March 1985. Chernenko was also Chairman of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet from 11 April 1984 until his death.
General Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union
Became General Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union
Chernobyl disaster
In April 1986 the Chernobyl disaster occurred.
Gorbachev as Executive President
Gorbachev is elected to be the Executive President of the Soviet Union by the New Parliament.
Gorbachev resigns from the office
Gorbachev resigns from the office.
Soviet Union falls apart
The Soviet Union falls apart.