George H. W. Bush Timeline

(June 12, 1924 – November 30, 2018)

George H. W. Bush (1924–2018) was the 41st President of the United States, serving from 1989 to 1993. A decorated World War II Navy pilot, he later built a career in oil business, politics, and diplomacy, serving as Congressman, CIA Director, and Vice President under Ronald Reagan before winning the presidency. His term was marked by the end of the Cold War, the fall of the Berlin Wall, and the successful Gulf War against Iraq. More Less

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Early Life and Military Service

Born in Milton, Massachusetts

Jun 12, 1924

George Herbert Walker Bush was born in Milton, Massachusetts, the second of five children of Prescott Bush, an investment banker who later became a U.S. Senator from Connecticut, and Dorothy Walker Bush.

Attends Phillips Academy in Andover

1936 - 1942

Bush attended Phillips Academy in Andover, Massachusetts, where he was a leader among his classmates, serving as president of his senior class and captain of the baseball and soccer teams.

Image source: Phillips Academy

Enlists in the U.S. Navy at age 18

Jun 12, 1942

On his 18th birthday, Bush enlisted in the United States Navy after the attack on Pearl Harbor, becoming one of the youngest aviators in the Navy during World War II.

Image source: George H. W. Bush

Shot down over the Pacific near Chichi Jima

Sep 2, 1944

While flying a Grumman TBM Avenger on a bombing mission against Japanese installations on Chichi Jima, Bush's aircraft was hit by anti-aircraft fire. He completed his bombing run before bailing out over the ocean and was rescued by the submarine USS Finback.

Marries Barbara Pierce

Jan 6, 1945

Bush married Barbara Pierce in Rye, New York, while he was home on leave from naval service. Their marriage lasted 73 years until her death in 2018, making it one of the longest presidential marriages in American history.

Image source: Barbara Bush

Graduates Yale University with economics degree

1948

After the war, Bush attended Yale University under an accelerated program, graduating in two and a half years with a degree in economics. He was also a member of the Skull and Bones society and played first base on the Yale baseball team that reached the first two College World Series.

Image source: Yale University

Business and Political Rise

Moves family to Texas to enter oil business

1948

Bush moved his young family to Odessa, Texas, where he began working as an oil field equipment salesman for Dresser Industries, launching his career in the booming West Texas petroleum industry.

Co-founds Zapata Petroleum Corporation

1953

Bush co-founded the Zapata Petroleum Corporation with John Overbey and brothers Hugh and Bill Lide, an oil company focused on drilling in West Texas that became highly successful.

Becomes millionaire as president of Zapata Offshore

1954 - 1964

Bush became president of Zapata Offshore Company, which specialized in offshore drilling. The venture made him a millionaire by age 40 and gave him valuable international business experience.

Loses first campaign for U.S. Senate

1964

Bush ran for the U.S. Senate from Texas as a Republican but lost to incumbent Democrat Ralph Yarborough, though the campaign established him as a rising figure in Texas Republican politics.

Image source: 1964 United States Senate election in Texas

Elected to U.S. House of Representatives from Texas

Nov 8, 1966

Bush won election to represent Houston's area in the U.S. House of Representatives, serving on committees including Ways and Means and supporting the Vietnam War while taking moderate positions on civil rights issues.

Wins second House term before Senate defeat

Nov 5, 1968 - Jan 3, 1971

Bush was re-elected to Congress in 1968, then gave up his seat to run for the Senate in 1970, losing to Democrat Lloyd Bentsen despite President Nixon's personal support.

Image source: 1970 United States Senate election in Texas

Serves as U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations

Mar 1, 1971 - Feb 18, 1973

President Nixon appointed Bush as U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, where he represented America during a period of dramatic diplomacy, including Nixon's opening to China and the admission of the People's Republic of China to the UN.

Image source: List of ambassadors of the United States to the United Nations

Chairs the Republican National Committee

1973 - Sep 16, 1974

During the Watergate scandal, Bush chaired the Republican National Committee, defending Nixon publicly while privately urging him to resign, helping manage the party through the crisis.

Image source: Republican National Committee

Heads U.S. Liaison Office in China

Sep 26, 1974 - Dec 7, 1975

President Ford appointed Bush as head of the U.S. Liaison Office in Beijing, effectively serving as America's top diplomat to China before full diplomatic relations were established.

Image source: Thomas S. Gates Jr.

Serves as Director of Central Intelligence

Jan 30, 1976 - Jan 20, 1977

Bush served as Director of Central Intelligence under Ford, working to restore morale at the CIA following damaging revelations about its covert activities during the Church Committee era.

Image source: Director of Central Intelligence

Runs unsuccessfully for Republican nomination

1980

Bush campaigned for the 1980 Republican presidential nomination, winning early contests in Iowa and several primaries with his 'vision' speech, but ultimately lost to Ronald Reagan, who selected him as running mate.

Image source: 1980 Republican Party presidential primaries

Vice Presidency

Elected Vice President alongside Ronald Reagan

Nov 4, 1980

Reagan and Bush won a decisive victory over Jimmy Carter, beginning eight years of partnership in which Bush served loyally as vice president.

Image source: 1980 United States presidential election

Elected Vice President alongside Ronald Reagan

Briefly serves as Acting President during Reagan surgery

Jul 13, 1985

When Reagan underwent colon cancer surgery, power was formally transferred to Bush for about eight hours under the 25th Amendment, making him the first vice president to serve as acting president under the amendment's provisions.

Image source: Acting President of the United States

Involved in Iran-Contra affair questions

Nov 1986

The Iran-Contra scandal raised questions about what Bush knew of illegal arms sales and funding of Nicaraguan Contras; he claimed he was 'out of the loop,' and pardons issued late in his presidency shielded key figures from prosecution.

Image source: Iran–Contra affair

Presidency

Wins 1988 presidential election

Nov 8, 1988

Bush defeated Massachusetts Governor Michael Dukakis decisively, winning 40 states, aided by his famous pledge at the Republican convention: 'Read my lips: no new taxes.'

Image source: 1988 United States presidential election

Inaugurated as 41st President of the United States

Jan 20, 1989

Bush was inaugurated as the 41st president, pledging a 'kinder, gentler nation' and calling for volunteers through his 'thousand points of light' theme.

Berlin Wall falls during Bush presidency

Nov 9, 1989

The Berlin Wall fell weeks after Bush took office, and his measured response helped manage the peaceful end of the Cold War and German reunification alongside Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev.

Image source: Fall of the Berlin Wall

Orders invasion of Panama to oust Manuel Noriega

Dec 20, 1989 - Jan 31, 1990

Operation Just Cause sent U.S. forces into Panama to depose dictator Manuel Noriega, who was indicted on drug trafficking charges, arrested, and brought to the United States for trial.

Image source: United States invasion of Panama

Breaks tax pledge, signs budget compromise

Jun 26, 1990 - Nov 5, 1990

Facing a growing deficit, Bush agreed to a budget deal raising taxes, breaking his famous campaign pledge. The decision angered conservatives and damaged him politically heading into 1992.

Image source: Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1990

Signs Americans with Disabilities Act

Jul 26, 1990

Bush signed the landmark ADA, prohibiting discrimination against people with disabilities in employment, public accommodations, and transportation — one of his most significant domestic achievements.

Leads Gulf War coalition against Iraq

Aug 2, 1990 - Feb 28, 1991

After Iraq invaded Kuwait, Bush built a broad international coalition and launched Operation Desert Storm, which swiftly liberated Kuwait with overwhelming air power and a ground offensive lasting just 100 hours.

Image source: Gulf War

Signs START I arms reduction treaty with USSR

Jul 31, 1991

Bush and Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev signed the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty, the first treaty mandating actual reductions in nuclear arsenals, capping decades of Cold War arms competition.

Image source: START I

Loses 1992 election to Bill Clinton

Nov 3, 1992

Despite his foreign policy triumphs, Bush lost re-election to Arkansas Governor Bill Clinton amid economic recession, broken tax pledge resentment, and third-party candidate Ross Perot drawing nearly 19% of the vote.

Image source: 1992 United States presidential election

Signs NAFTA agreement

Dec 17, 1992

In his final weeks in office, Bush signed the North American Free Trade Agreement with Canada and Mexico, a major trade pact later approved by Congress under Clinton.

Image source: North American Free Trade Agreement

Post-Presidency and Legacy

Parachutes to celebrate 75th birthday

Jun 13, 1999

Bush marked his 75th birthday by parachuting from an aircraft over College Station, Texas, continuing a tradition he repeated for his 80th, 85th, and 90th birthdays.

Son George W. Bush elected President

Nov 7, 2000

Bush's eldest son George W. Bush won the contested 2000 election against Al Gore, making them only the second father-son pair to serve as U.S. presidents after John Adams and John Quincy Adams.

Image source: 2000 United States presidential election

Awarded Presidential Medal of Freedom by Obama

Feb 15, 2011

President Barack Obama awarded Bush the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation's highest civilian honor, recognizing his lifetime of public service.

Image source: Presidential Medal of Freedom

Dies in Houston at age 94

Nov 30, 2018

George H. W. Bush died in Houston less than eight months after his wife Barbara, having lived longer than any previous U.S. president. He was honored with a state funeral and buried at his library at Texas A&M University.

Image source: Death and state funeral of George H. W. Bush

Key Facts

George H. W. Bush was one of the youngest Navy pilots in World War II, flying 58 combat missions and earning the Distinguished Flying Cross after being shot down over the Pacific in 1944.
He served as the 41st U.S. President from 1989 to 1993, following eight years as Vice President under Ronald Reagan.
His presidency oversaw major foreign policy events including the fall of the Berlin Wall, the collapse of the Soviet Union, and Operation Desert Storm during the Gulf War in 1991.
Before politics, Bush was a successful Texas oil businessman and served as CIA Director, U.S. Ambassador to China, and a Congressman from Texas.
After losing the 1992 election to Bill Clinton, his legacy was partly rehabilitated when his son George W. Bush became the 43rd president, making them the second father-son presidential pair in U.S. history.

Source

This George H. W. Bush timeline was generated with the help of AI, using information found on the internet.

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