In 1964, Ronald Reagan famously said, "You and I have a rendezvous with destiny. We will preserve for our children this, the last best hope of man on Earth, or we will sentence them to take the last step into a thousand years of darkness." This speech instantly turned Reagan into a national political figure and defined his belief in American exceptionalism.

Reagan's charisma and leadership inspired hope in millions of Americans. As President Barack Obama contemplates his strategy for the future, he could learn much from Reagan's legacy. Taking office in the wake of skyrocketing inflation and economic recession, Reagan implemented policies of low taxes and limited government and restored prosperity to America. His commitment to a strong national defense and the defeat of the totalitarian "evil empire" led directly to the crumbling of the Berlin Wall. More than anything, he was guided by a vision that America's greatest days were ahead.

To mark the ninety-eighth anniversary of Reagan's birth and on the occasion of a new documentary on his life, Rendezvous with Destiny, leaders in today's political arena will reflect on Reagan's legacy--professionally, politically, and personally. Hosting the event will be AEI senior fellow and former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich, who produced and hosts the documentary with his wife, Callista Gingrich. He will be joined by political observer and commentator Michael Barone, also a resident fellow at AEI; Sam Donaldson, who covered Reagan as ABC News's chief White House correspondent; AEI F. K. Weyerhaeuser fellow Steven F. Hayward, author of a forthcoming book on the Reagan revolution; and Craig Shirley, author of Reagan's Revolution: The Untold Story of the Campaign That Started It All.