Mikhail Gorbachev By ben_r1998 Mar 2, 1931 Gorbachev is born Period: Mar 2, 1931 to Dec 25, 1991 Mikhail Gorbachev Jan 1, 1941 Mikhails father is drafted into the Russian army when Germany invades the USSR Jan 1, 1952 becomes full member of communist party Jan 1, 1960 appointed first secretary Jan 1, 1978 Appointed Central Committee secretary in charge of agriculture; moves to Moscow. Mar 11, 1985 Named general secretary of the Communist Party following the death of Konstantin Chernenko. Nov 1, 1985 Meets with President Ronald Reagan for the first time in Geneva. Over next five years, the leaders hold four summits. Jan 1, 1986 Launches his reform program Jan 1, 1987 Travels to Washington to meet with Reagan and signs a treaty to eliminate both sides' medium-range nuclear missiles. Aug 24, 1991 Gorbachev resigns thus bringing an end the the Soviet Union