THE LIFE AND TIMES OF OUR 41ST PRESIDENT
Chronicling George H.W. Bush’s journey, 1924-2018
George Herbert Walker Bush, the 41st president of the United States, had a remarkable journey from the estates of New England to the dusty plains of West Texas, from the leafy precincts of Houston’s nicest neighborhoods to foreign capitals and ultimately to the White House. He died Nov. 30 at his home in Houston at age 94. Bush’s life was one of public service. During his single term as president, he steered the nation through the end of the Cold War and collapse of the Soviet Union, war in the Middle East and economic difficulties at home. Here’s a look at that journey.
“We know what works. Freedom Works. We know what’s right. Freedom is right.” – George H.W. Bush
“History will point out some of the things I did wrong and some of the things I did right.” – George H.W. Bush
EARLY YEARS
JUNE 12, 1924
Born in Milton, Mass., the second of five children of Prescott and Dorothy Walker Bush. Dorothy wanted to name her son after her father, George Herbert Walker, but couldn’t decide between George Herbert Bush and George Walker Bush, so young George got two middle names. 1937-1942 Attends Phillips Academy in Andover, Mass. 1940
Contracts a staph infection that requires hospitalization, forcing him to repeat a year in Andover. DECEMBER 1941
Meets his future wife, Barbara Pierce, at a Christmas dance. JUNE 12, 1942
Graduates from Phillips Academy on his 18th birthday and enlists in the armed forces.
WAR YEARS
JUNE 9, 1943
Receives his wings and commission while still 18, becoming the youngest pilot in the Navy. DECEMBER 1943
Assigned to the aircraft carrier San Jacinto — a prophetic choice, considering his future life in Texas.
SEPT. 2, 1944
His Avenger bomber, with the inscription “Barbara,” is hit by anti-aircraft fire while making a run over the Bonin Island of Chichi Jima, 600 miles south of Japan. Bush bails out and is rescued by the submarine USS Finback. JAN. 6, 1945
Marries Barbara, a descendant of Franklin Pierce, the 14th president of the United States. SEPT. 18, 1945
Honorably discharged, earning the Distinguished Flying Cross for his actions over Chichi Jima.
COLLEGE YEARS
SUMMER 1945
Enrolls in Yale, where he becomes captain of the baseball team and a member of the secret society known as Skull and Bones. Has photograph taken with baseball legend Babe Ruth. JULY 6, 1946 First child, George Walker Bush, is born. SUMMER 1948
Graduates Yale as Phi Beta Kappa, accepts a job with Dresser Industries and moves his family to West Texas. Over the next two years, the family will live in Midland and four California cities: Whittier, Huntington Park, Bakersfield and Compton.
OIL YEARS
DEC. 20, 1949 Daughter Pauline Robinson “Robin” Bush is born. 1950
Forms the Bush-Overbey Company with partner John Overbey in Midland. 1952
Co-founds Zapata Petroleum with Overbey, and William and Hugh Liedtke. Zapata soon makes headlines with its successful James Field exploration in Coke County. 1952
His father, Prescott, is elected to the Senate as a Republican from Connecticut. FEB. 11, 1953
Son John Ellis Bush — called Jeb because of his initials — is born. OCT. 12, 1953 Robin Bush dies of leukemia at age 3. 1954
Co-founds and becomes president of Zapata Offshore Co. JAN. 22, 1955 Son Neil Mallon Bush is born. OCT. 22, 1956 Son Marvin Pierce Bush is born.
AUG. Daughter 18, 1959 Dorothy Walker “Doro” Bush is born. SUMMER 1959 The Bush family moves to Houston. 1962
Becomes chairman of the Harris County Republican Committee. 1962
Prescott Bush announces his retirement from the Senate, citing ill health. 1964 Loses U.S. Senate race to Democrat Ralph Yarborough.
CONGRESSIONAL YEARS
1966
Wins a seat in Congress, becoming the first Republican to represent a Houston district on Capitol Hill and the first freshman in 63 years to be offered a seat on the powerful Ways and Means Committee. JAN. 3, 1967
First day in office as U.S. representative for Texas’ 7th Congressional District. 1968 Wins re-election to the House. 1970
Challenges Yarborough again but ends up losing the Senate race to Lloyd Bentsen, who unseats the liberal incumbent in the Democratic primary.
CIVIL SERVICE YEARS
DEC. 11, 1970
Selected by Richard Nixon as U.S. ambassador to the United Nations. JAN. 3, 1971 Final day as a member of Congress. 1971-1973 Serves as U.S. ambassador to the U.N. OCT. 8, 1972 Prescott Bush dies of lung cancer. JANUARY 1973
Leaves the U.N. to become chairman of the Republican National Committee seven months after the Watergate break-in and one month before the Senate appoints a select committee to investigate the growing scandal. Bush quickly becomes one of Nixon’s staunchest public defenders. AUG. 6, 1974
Bush tells Nixon that Watergate is sapping public confidence in him. AUG. 7, 1974
Bush sends a letter to the president suggesting that he resign. AUG. 8, 1974 Nixon resigns. AUG. 24, 1974 President Gerald Ford calls Bush to tell him that he has chosen Nelson Rock-
efeller as vice president. Many Republican leaders had pushed for Ford to select Bush. Ford offers Bush any ambassadorship. SEPT. 26, 1974
Bush chooses China and becomes chief of the U.S. liaison office to the People’s Republic of China. OCTOBER 1974
Before the U.S. and China develop diplomatic ties, Bush travels to Peking (now Beijing) to direct the forerunner of the first U.S. embassy in China. JAN. 30, 1976
Becomes the 11th director of the Central Intelligence Agency. To win Bush’s confirmation in the Democratic-dominated Senate, Ford had promised that he would not choose Bush as his running mate in 1976. JAN. 20, 1977 Last day as CIA director. MAY 1, 1979
Bush announces his candidacy for president at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C. FALL 1979
Labels former California Gov. Ronald Reagan’s economic plan “voodoo economics.” JAN. 21, 1980 Bush upsets front-runner Reagan in the Iowa caucus. FEB. 23, 1980
At a debate in Nashua, N.H., Reagan attempts to change the rules to allow second-tier candidates to join him and Bush. Reagan says, “I am paying for
this microphone, Mr. Green,” a line borrowed from Hollywood. Bush’s campaign never recovers. MAY 26, 1980 Bush officially pulls out of the race. JULY 16, 1980
At the Republican National Convention in Detroit, Bush receives a phone call in his hotel room from Reagan, asking him to be the vice presidential nominee. Bush accepts. NOV. 4, 1980
Reagan and Bush defeat Jimmy Carter and Walter Mondale in a landslide.
VICE PRESIDENTIAL YEARS
JAN. 20, 1981 Bush is sworn in for the first of two terms as vice president. MARCH 30, 1981
Reagan is shot. Bush hurries back to D.C. from Austin, where he had been scheduled to address the Texas Legislature. OCT. 11, 1984
After his spirited vice presidential debate with Democratic nominee Geraldine Ferraro, Barbara Bush describes Ferraro as something that “rhymes with witch.” NOV. 6, 1984
Reagan/Bush re-elected with the largest Electoral College margin in American history.
JULY Bush 13, becomes 1985 acting president first of so the designated United States — when — the Ronald Reagan undergoes surgery. DEC. In his 3, 1986 first public statement about the Iran-Contra affair, Bush admits that “mistakes were made.” OCT. 13, 1987
Announces candidacy for the Republican nomination for president. JAN. 25, 1988
Bush lashes out at CBS anchorman Dan Rather during a televised interview about the Iran-Contra affair. FEB. 8, 1988
Places third in the Iowa caucus behind Sen. Bob Dole and televangelist Pat Robertson. FEB. 16, 1988
Comeback win in the New Hampshire primary sets Bush on course to the Republican nomination. AUG. 16, 1988
Bush picks Dan Quayle as running mate. Controversy erupts over Quayle’s National Guard service during the Vietnam War. News reports note that Bush’s son George also served in the National Guard. AUG. 18, 1988
Accepts the Republican presidential nomination and famously declares, “read my lips — no new taxes.” NOV. 8, 1988 Bush and Quayle carry 40 states in a comfortable victory over Michael Dukakis and Lloyd Bentsen, the man who defeated Bush 18 years earlier.
PRESIDENTIAL YEARS
JAN. Inaugurated 20, 1989 as 41st president of the United States. FEB. Addresses 9, 1989 a joint session of Congress reduce the and nation’s reveals record a plan deficit to without a tax increase. MAY 12, 1989
Delivers commencement address at Texas A&M University. JUNE 3, 1989
Chinese government brutally reacts to Tiananmen Square. Bush is criticized for not being tough enough. NOV. 9, 1989
As the Berlin Wall falls, Bush declines to join the celebrations. JULY 21, 1989
Signs the Clean Air Act in the Rose Garden at the White House. DEC. 3, 1989
Attends summit with Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev in Malta. DEC. 20, 1989
After two U.S. seamen are killed and two Americans beaten by members of Panamanian Defense Force, the U.S. invades Panama and captures Manuel Noriega.
FEB. Nominates 20, 1990 David Souter, an obscure judge, to the New U.S. Hampshire Supreme Court. JUNE Bush 1, 1990 and Gorbachev meet in Washington, D.C. JUNE 26, 1990
Bush breaks his “no new taxes” pledge during budget negotiations with congressional Democrats. JULY 26, 1990 Bush signs the Americans With Disabilities Act. AUG. 2, 1990 Saddam Hussein invades Kuwait. AUG. 7, 1990
Bush announces Operation Desert Shield, moves U.S. troops into Saudi Arabia and begins to build a multinational coalition. SEPT. 11, 1990
Addresses a joint session of Congress on the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait. SEPT. 30, 1990
Bush and congressional leaders announce a bipartisan budget agreement. House Minority Whip Newt Gingrich launches an unsuccessful revolt of House conservatives to kill the plan. NOV. 15, 1990 Signs the Clean Air Act amendments of 1990. NOV. 22, 1990 On Thanksgiving Day, Bush Timeline continues on H20
“I will keep America moving forward, always forward, for a better America, for an endless enduring dream and a Thousand Points of Light. This is my mission, and I will complete it.” – George H.W. Bush
“We’re going to keep trying to strengthen the American family. To make them more like the Waltons and less like the Simpsons.” – George H.W. Bush
and commanding Gen. Norman Schwarzkopf visit U.S. troops in Saudi Arabia. JAN. After 12, a 1991 long and contentious debate, resolution the authorizing Senate passes Bush to a wage war to liberate Kuwait. JAN. 16, 1991
The first Iraq war begins with the bombing of Baghdad. Bush addresses the nation to declare that “Operation Desert Storm” has begun. FEB. 28, 1991
Cease-fire declared. Bush decides not to send U.S. forces to Baghdad. MARCH 29, 1991
Lee Atwater, Bush’s 1988 campaign manager and political adviser, dies of brain cancer. JULY 1, 1991
Nominates Clarence Thomas to the Supreme Court to fill the seat vacated by Thurgood Marshall. AUG. 1, 1991 Signs the START arms reduction treaty in Moscow. AUG. 1, 1991
Cautions the Supreme Soviet of the Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic against breaking away from the Soviet Union. Conservative commentator William Safire dubs it the “Chicken Kiev Speech.” OCT. 31, 1991
A nor’easter demolishes the Bush home at Walker’s Point in Kennebunkport. The storm is later made famous in “The Perfect
Storm.” DEC. 2, 1991
John Sununu is forced to resign as Bush’s chief of staff amid accusations that he misused federal funds. FEB. 13, 1992 Bush formally announces his candidacy for re-election. FEB. 20, 1992
Dallas billionaire Ross Perot announces run for presidency on CNN’s “Larry King Live TV” show. APRIL 29, 1992
Los Angeles erupts in rioting after motorist Rodney King is savagely beaten by police. Bush is criticized for reacting slowly. MAY 23, 1992
Orders the Coast Guard to intercept boats with Haitian refugees. JUNE 28, 1992
Bush’s daughter marries Democratic lobbyist Bobby Koch. JULY 23, 1992
Perot withdraws from race, declaring that the Democratic Party has been revived. AUG. 20, 1992
Accepts nomination at the Republican National Convention in Houston. OCT. 1, 1992 Perot drops back into the race. OCT. 15, 1992 At a debate in Richmond, Va., Bush looks at his watch during a wordy answer by one of his opponents. The moment is captured on TV and comes to symbolize the mantra of Democratic vice presidential candidate Al Gore: “It is time for them to go.” NOV. 4, 1992
Bill Clinton defeats Bush in presidential election. Many Republicans blame Perot’s candidacy for siphoning votes from the incumbent. NOV. 19, 1992 Bush’s mother dies. JAN. 20, 1993 Final day as 41st president. Returns to Houston.
POSTWHITE HOUSE YEARS
NOV. George 6, 1997 Bush Presidential Library at Texas and Museum A&M University. is dedicated JUNE 9, 1999 Parachutes days before his 75th birthday. JAN. 20, 2001
Attends the inauguration of his son George W. Bush as the 43rd president. JUNE 11, 2004
In a witty, heartfelt oration, Bush eulogizes Reagan at the 40th president’s funeral. JUNE 12, 2004
Celebrates his 80th birthday by parachuting twice onto the grounds of his presidential library.
NOV. 22, 2004
New York Gov. George Pataki names Bush an honorary member of the board rebuilding the World Trade Center. JAN. 3, 2005
Bush and Bill Clinton are named by the President George W. Bush to lead a nationwide campaign to help the victims of the Indian Ocean tsunami. AUG. 31, 2005
Again teams with Clinton to coordinate private relief donations for Hurricane Katrina victims. DEC. 5, 2006
Breaks down in tears while addressing Florida legislators as he mentions his son Jeb’s leadership qualities. DEC. 26, 2006
With Gerald Ford’s death, Bush becomes the oldest surviving ex-president. JAN. 10, 2009
Attends the commissioning of the last Nimitz-class aircraft carrier, USS George H.W. Bush, in Newport News, Va. JAN. 20, 2009
Bids an emotional farewell to the White House on his son’s last day in office. As he leaves the White House grounds, he salutes the building. JUNE 12, 2009 Goes skydiving to celebrate his 85th birthday. FEB. 15, 2011
Awarded the Medal of Freedom by President Barack Obama.
EARLY Tells Parade 2012 magazine he suffers from requiring Vascular Bush Parkinsonism, to condition use a wheelchair. is most likely The caused by a series of small strokes. JANUARY 2013
Spends seven weeks in a Houston hospital with bronchitis. APRIL 2014
The Republican National Committee says it has raised $1 million selling colorful socks like those Bush has taken to wearing. JUNE 12, 2014
Goes skydiving again, to celebrate his 90th birthday, but this time from a helicopter. DEC. 24, 2014
Hospitalized for a week after experiencing shortness of breath. JULY 15, 2015
Falls in his Kennebunkport home, breaking a bone in his neck. “When he starts telling semi-dirty jokes to the nurse,” observes Jeb, “we know he’s on the rebound.” APRIL 17, 2018
Barbara Bush, his wife of 73 years, dies at their home in Houston, surrounded by family, at age 92. NOV. 30, 2018
Dies at his home in Houston, surrounded by family, at age 94.