History of George W. Bush in Timeline
George W. Bush served as the 43rd President of the United States from 2001 to 2009. Prior to his presidency, he was the 46th Governor of Texas from 1995 to 2000. As president, he launched the War on Terror in response to the September 11 attacks, leading to military interventions in Afghanistan and Iraq. Domestically, he enacted education reform legislation known as No Child Left Behind, as well as tax cuts and reforms to Medicare. His presidency was marked by significant events including Hurricane Katrina and the financial crisis of 2008.
1935: George H. Mahon Held Congressional Seat
Since 1935, George H. Mahon had held the Texas's 19th congressional district seat for the Democratic Party.
July 6, 1946: George W. Bush's Birth
On July 6, 1946, George Walker Bush was born in New Haven, Connecticut, the first child of George Herbert Walker Bush and Barbara Pierce.
1953: Death of Robin Bush
In 1953, George W. Bush's younger sister, Robin, died from leukemia at the age of three.
1964: Attendance at Yale University
In 1964, George W. Bush began attending Yale University.
1967: Engagement to Cathryn Lee Wolfman
In 1967, George W. Bush was engaged to Cathryn Lee Wolfman, though the engagement did not last.
May 1968: Commissioned into the Texas Air National Guard
In May 1968, George W. Bush was commissioned into the Texas Air National Guard.
1968: Graduation from Yale University
In 1968, George W. Bush graduated from Yale University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in history.
1972: Suspension from Flying
In 1972, George W. Bush was suspended from flying for failure to take a scheduled physical exam.
1973: Drilling with the Alabama Air National Guard
In early 1973, George W. Bush drilled with the 187th Fighter Wing of the Alabama Air National Guard, while working on Winton M. Blount's Senate campaign.
1973: Entrance to Harvard Business School
In the fall of 1973, George W. Bush entered Harvard Business School.
November 21, 1974: Honorable Discharge from Air Force Reserve
On November 21, 1974, George W. Bush was honorably discharged from the Air Force Reserve.
1975: Graduation from Harvard Business School
In 1975, George W. Bush graduated from Harvard Business School after entering in the fall of 1973.
September 4, 1976: Arrest for Driving Under the Influence
On September 4, 1976, George W. Bush was arrested for driving under the influence (DUI) in Kennebunkport, Maine.
1977: Establishment of Arbusto Energy
In 1977, George W. Bush established Arbusto Energy, a small oil exploration company.
1977: Marriage to Laura Welch
In 1977, George W. Bush married Laura Welch after a three-month courtship.
1978: Arbusto Energy Begins Operations
In 1978, Arbusto Energy, George W. Bush's oil exploration company, began operations.
1978: Run for U.S. House of Representatives
In 1978, George W. Bush ran for the U.S. House of Representatives from Texas's 19th congressional district but lost the election to Kent Hance.
November 25, 1981: Birth of Twin Daughters
On November 25, 1981, Laura Bush gave birth to fraternal twin daughters, Barbara and Jenna.
1981: Father Becomes Vice President
In 1981, George W. Bush's father, George H.W. Bush, became Ronald Reagan's vice president.
1984: Merger with Spectrum 7
In 1984, George W. Bush's company, Bush Exploration, merged with Spectrum 7, and Bush became chairman.
1986: Decision to Give Up Alcohol
In 1986, George W. Bush decided to give up alcohol, attributing the decision to his wife's influence and his faith in God.
1988: Move to Washington, D.C. for Father's Campaign
In 1988, George W. Bush and his family moved to Washington, D.C., to work on his father's campaign for the U.S. presidency.
April 1989: Purchase of Texas Rangers Controlling Interest
In April 1989, George W. Bush arranged for a group of investors to purchase a controlling interest in the Texas Rangers, investing $500,000 himself.
1989: Father Becomes President
In 1989, George W. Bush's father, George H.W. Bush, became the 41st U.S. president.
December 1991: Appointment to Father's Re-election Campaign
In December 1991, George W. Bush was named to run his father's 1992 presidential re-election campaign as a campaign advisor.
1991: Gulf War
The continued presence of U.S. troops in Saudi Arabia after the 1991 Gulf War was one of the stated motivations behind the September 11 attacks.
1992: Father's Re-election Campaign
In 1992, George W. Bush assisted his father by campaigning across the country for his father's presidential re-election campaign.
1993: End of Father's Presidency
In 1993, George H.W. Bush's presidency came to an end.
1994: Candidacy for Texas Governor
In 1994, George W. Bush declared his candidacy for the Texas gubernatorial election.
1994: Election as Governor of Texas
In 1994, George W. Bush was elected as the governor of Texas.
1995: Dickey-Wicker Amendment forbids federal funding for embryo research
Since the passage of the Dickey-Wicker Amendment in 1995, federal funding for medical research involving the creation or destruction of human embryos through the Department of Health and Human Services and the National Institutes of Health has been forbidden by law.
1997: Senate Disapproval of the Kyoto Protocol
In 1997, the Senate voted 95-0 on a resolution expressing its disapproval of the Kyoto Protocol.
1998: Bill Clinton's approach to India after nuclear tests
Bill Clinton's approach and response to India after the 1998 nuclear tests has been characterized as "sanctions and hectoring".
1998: Re-election as Governor of Texas
In 1998, George W. Bush won re-election as governor of Texas with a record 68 percent of the vote.
1998: Sale of Texas Rangers Shares
In 1998, George W. Bush's sale of his shares in the Texas Rangers brought him over $15 million from his initial investment.
1999: Signing of Renewable Energy Law
In 1999, George W. Bush signed a law that required electric retailers to buy a certain amount of energy from renewable sources.
June 10, 2000: Jesus Day in Texas
On June 10, 2000, George W. Bush proclaimed it to be Jesus Day in Texas, urging all Texans to serve those in need.
July 25, 2000: Selection of Dick Cheney as Running Mate
On July 25, 2000, George W. Bush selected Dick Cheney as his running mate for the presidential election.
2000: Presidential Campaign
By early 2000, the presidential race had centered on George W. Bush and Arizona Senator John McCain, with Bush campaigning as a compassionate conservative.
2000: Immigration to the U.S. increases
From 2000 to 2005, nearly eight million immigrants came to the U.S., more than in any other five-year period in the nation's history. Almost half entered illegally.
2000: Named Time Magazine's Person of the Year
In 2000, George W. Bush was named Time magazine's Person of the Year.
2000: Victory in the Presidential Election
In 2000, George W. Bush won the presidential election against Al Gore after a contested Electoral College win.
2000: Federal Government Spending
In 2000, the federal government spending was $1.789 trillion and revenues were $2.025 trillion.
2000: Fiscal Year Surplus
In fiscal year 2000, the U.S. saw a surplus of $237 billion, the largest surplus ever recorded at that time and the third consecutive one.
2000: Focus of National Attention
Throughout George W. Bush's first term, he was the focus of national attention as a potential future presidential candidate and after his re-election in 1998, he decided to seek the 2000 Republican presidential nomination.
January 2001: Unemployment Rate
In January 2001, the unemployment rate was 4.2 percent.
February 7, 2001: Shooting near the White House
On February 7, 2001, Robert W. Pickett fired shots from a Taurus .38 Special revolver outside the White House. He was apprehended by a Secret Service agent and charged. He eventually pleaded guilty to firearms violations and assaulting a federal officer, receiving a three-year sentence at the Federal Medical Center, Rochester, followed by three years of probation.
May 2001: Executive Order on Energy Projects
In May 2001, President Bush signed an executive order to create an interagency task force to streamline energy projects, and later signed two other executive orders to tackle environmental issues.
August 9, 2001: Executive Order: Lifting the ban on federal funding for stem cell research
On August 9, 2001, George W. Bush signed an executive order lifting the ban on federal funding for the 71 existing "lines" of stem cells.
September 11, 2001: September 11 Terrorist Attacks
On September 11, 2001, the terrorist attacks reshaped the Bush administration, leading to the war on terror and the creation of the Department of Homeland Security.
October 7, 2001: U.S. and British forces initiate bombing campaigns in Afghanistan
On October 7, 2001, U.S. and British forces initiated bombing campaigns that led to the arrival of Northern Alliance troops in Kabul on November 13.
December 2001: Osama bin Laden escapes battle in Tora Bora
Efforts to kill or capture al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden failed as he escaped a battle in December 2001 in the mountainous region of Tora Bora, which the Bush Administration later acknowledged to have resulted from a failure to commit enough U.S. ground troops.
December 2001: Pentagon reports Taliban defeated in Afghanistan
In December 2001, the Pentagon reported that the Taliban had been defeated, but cautioned that the war would go on to continue weakening Taliban and al-Qaeda leaders. Later that month the UN had installed the Afghan Transitional Administration chaired by Hamid Karzai.
2001: Bush Enters Office with Dow at 10,587
In 2001, Bush entered office with the Dow Jones Industrial Average at 10,587.
2001: National Security Advisor Appointment
In 2001, Condoleezza Rice served as Bush's national security advisor.
2001: Opposition to Kyoto Protocol
In 2001, George W. Bush stated his opposition to the Kyoto Protocol, citing that the treaty exempted 80 percent of the world's population and would have cost tens of billions of dollars per year.
2001: Bush's Tax Cut Plan
In 2001, President Bush proposed a $1.35 trillion tax cut program, citing that government surplus was the people's money. Despite warnings from Federal Reserve chairman Alan Greenspan about a potential recession, Bush argued the tax cut would stimulate the economy. Treasury Secretary Paul H. O'Neill expressed concerns about the tax cuts contributing to budget deficits and undermining Social Security.
January 29, 2002: State of the Union Address: Axis of Evil
In his January 29, 2002 State of the Union Address, George W. Bush asserted that an "axis of evil" consisting of North Korea, Iran, and Ba'athist Iraq was "arming to threaten the peace of the world".
November 2002: UN Weapons Inspectors in Iraq
In November 2002, Hans Blix and Mohamed ElBaradei led UN weapons inspectors in Iraq, but were advised by the U.S. to depart the country four days prior to the U.S. invasion.
2002: Bush Proposes Clear Skies Act
In 2002, Bush proposed the Clear Skies Act of 2003, which aimed at amending the Clean Air Act to reduce air pollution through the use of emissions trading programs.
2002: U.S. withdraws from Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty with Russia
In 2002, George W. Bush withdrew U.S. support for the Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty (ABM) with Russia. This marked the first time in post-World War II history that the United States had withdrawn from a major international arms treaty.
2002: No Child Left Behind Act Signed into Law
In early 2002, President Bush signed the No Child Left Behind Act into law, a bipartisan education initiative aimed at closing the gap between rich and poor student performance, providing options to parents with students in low-performing schools, and targeting more federal funding to low-income schools.
2002: CIA reports on Saddam Hussein's intent to reconstitute nuclear weapons programs
In the latter half of 2002, CIA reports contained assertions of Saddam Hussein's intent of reconstituting nuclear weapons programs, not properly accounting for Iraqi biological and chemical weapons, and that some Iraqi missiles had a range greater than allowed by the UN sanctions.
January 2003: PEPFAR Announced
In January 2003, President Bush announced the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), a five-year strategy for global emergency AIDS relief with $15 billion in funding.
March 20, 2003: Invasion of Iraq
On March 20, 2003, the United States, along with a coalition of nations, initiated the invasion of Iraq.
April 9, 2003: Fall of Baghdad
On April 9, 2003, Baghdad, the capital of Iraq, fell to U.S. and coalition forces during the invasion of Iraq.
June 2003: Unemployment Rate Rises to 6.3 Percent
In June 2003, the unemployment rate rose to 6.3 percent.
2003: Taliban begins regrouping
Despite the initial success in driving the Taliban from power in Kabul, by early 2003 the Taliban was regrouping, amassing new funds and recruits.
2003: Medicare Act Signed
Following Republican efforts, President Bush signed the Medicare Act of 2003, which included changes to the Medicare program by providing beneficiaries with assistance in paying for prescription drugs, while relying on private insurance for the delivery of benefits.
2003: U.S. military intervention in Haiti
From 2003 to 2004, George W. Bush authorized U.S. military intervention in Haiti to protect U.S. interests.
2003: Initiation of President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief and Invasion of Iraq
In 2003, George W. Bush initiated the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief and ordered the invasion of Iraq.
2003: Increased Regulation of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac
In 2003, the Bush administration pushed for increased regulation of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.
2003: Clear Skies Act Fails in Congress
In 2003, the Clear Skies Act failed to make it out of committee in Congress.
2003: U.S. withdraws troops from Saudi Arabia
In 2003, the U.S. withdrew most of its troops from Saudi Arabia.
2003: Another Tax Cut Passed
In 2003, the economy showed signs of improvement, and another tax cut was passed.
May 2004: High approval rating among Republicans
In May 2004, a Gallup poll indicated that 89 percent of the Republican electorate approved of President Bush.
December 2004: Approval rating dips below 50 percent
In December 2004, President Bush's approval rating dipped below 50 percent in AP-Ipsos polling, and his approval of handling domestic and foreign policy issues steadily declined afterward.
2004: U.S. military intervention in Liberia
From 2003 to 2004, George W. Bush authorized U.S. military intervention in Liberia to protect U.S. interests.
2004: Deterioration of the situation in Iraq
From 2004 until 2007, the situation in Iraq deteriorated further, with some observers arguing that there was a full-scale civil war in Iraq.
2004: Bush's Re-election Campaign
In 2004, George W. Bush sought re-election, supported by the Republican Party. Key figures like Ken Mehlman and Karl Rove managed the campaign. The platform focused on the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, the USA PATRIOT Act, abortion and same-sex marriage amendments, Social Security reform, an ownership society, and opposition to mandatory carbon emissions controls. A guest worker program for immigrants was also proposed.
2004: Re-election as President
In 2004, George W. Bush was re-elected as president, defeating John Kerry.
2004: Strong support from the military
In 2004, an unscientific survey revealed strong support for President Bush among members of the United States armed forces during the presidential elections, with 73 percent indicating they would vote for him.
2004: CIA Director Resignation and Reorganization
In 2004, following the resignation of CIA director George Tenet, Bush nominated Porter Goss to lead the agency. The White House directed Goss to remove officers deemed disloyal, leading to the firing or resignation of many senior CIA agents. The CIA faced accusations of leaking classified information to influence the 2004 election.
2004: Poverty Rate Peaking
In 2004, the poverty rate peaked at 12.7 percent.
January 2005: Elections in Iraq
In January 2005, elections recognized by the West as free and fair were held in Iraq for the first time in 50 years, leading to the election of Jalal Talabani as president and Nouri al-Maliki as Prime Minister.
May 10, 2005: Hand grenade thrown at President Bush during speech
On May 10, 2005, while President Bush was giving a speech in Freedom Square, Vladimir Arutyunian threw a live Soviet-made RGD-5 hand grenade toward the podium. The grenade landed in the crowd about 61 feet from the podium but did not detonate because it was wrapped tightly in a red tartan handkerchief.
June 2005: Release of Air National Guard Records
In June 2005, the Department of Defense released all the records of George W. Bush's Texas Air National Guard service.
July 2005: Arutyunian arrested for grenade attack
In July 2005, Vladimir Arutyunian was arrested for throwing a live grenade at President Bush on May 10, 2005. During the arrest, Arutyunian killed an Interior Ministry agent.
July 19, 2005: Nomination of John Roberts to the Supreme Court
On July 19, 2005, President Bush nominated federal appellate judge John Roberts to replace retiring Associate Justice Sandra Day O'Connor. The nomination was later withdrawn after the death of Chief Justice William Rehnquist.
September 29, 2005: John Roberts confirmed as Chief Justice
On September 29, 2005, John Roberts was confirmed by the Senate as the Chief Justice of the United States, after being nominated by President Bush following the death of William Rehnquist. Roberts' initial nomination was to replace Associate Justice Sandra Day O'Connor.
October 3, 2005: Nomination of Harriet Miers to the Supreme Court
On October 3, 2005, President Bush nominated White House Counsel Harriet Miers to succeed Sandra Day O'Connor as Associate Justice of the Supreme Court.
October 2005: Referendum to approve a constitution in Iraq
In October 2005, a referendum to approve a constitution in Iraq was held, supported by most Shiites and many Kurds.
November 1, 2005: Launch of National Strategy for Pandemic Influenza
On November 1, 2005, George W. Bush launched a National Strategy for Pandemic Influenza.
December 2005: Reference Point for Approval Rating
In April 2013, a poll indicated that Bush's approval rating was at its highest since December 2005.
2005: Immigration to the U.S. increases
From 2000 to 2005, nearly eight million immigrants came to the U.S., more than in any other five-year period in the nation's history. Almost half entered illegally.
2005: Hurricane Katrina strikes the Gulf Coast
Hurricane Katrina struck early in George W. Bush's second term and was one of the most damaging natural disasters in U.S. history in 2005. Katrina devastated much of the north-central Gulf Coast of the United States, particularly New Orleans.
2005: Secretary of State Appointment
In 2005, Condoleezza Rice served as Bush's secretary of state until 2009.
2005: Campaigning for Social Security Reform
In 2005, George W. Bush embarked on a 60-day national tour, campaigning for his initiative in media events known as "Conversations on Social Security" in an attempt to gain public support, but public support declined. House Republican leadership decided to drop Social Security reform as a priority, further diminished by fallout from Hurricane Katrina.
2005: Social Security Reform Initiative
In 2005, President Bush outlined a major initiative to reform Social Security, proposing partial privatization, personal Social Security accounts, and options for Americans to divert a portion of their Social Security tax into secured investments. This proposal faced opposition from Democrats.
2005: Taliban returns
The 2005 failure of Operation Red Wings showed that the Taliban had returned.
January 2006: Arutyunian convicted and sentenced to life
In January 2006, Vladimir Arutyunian was convicted and sentenced to life in prison for throwing a live grenade at President Bush on May 10, 2005, and for killing an Interior Ministry agent during his arrest in July 2005.
January 31, 2006: Samuel Alito confirmed to the Supreme Court
On January 31, 2006, Samuel Alito was confirmed by the Senate to replace Sandra Day O'Connor as Associate Justice of the Supreme Court, after Harriet Miers withdrew her nomination on October 27, 2005.
March 2006: Bush visits India to discuss nuclear energy
In March 2006, George W. Bush visited India in a trip focused particularly on areas of nuclear energy, counter-terrorism co-operation, and discussions that would eventually lead to the India–United States Civil Nuclear Agreement.
March 2006: Obama's comment on Raising the Debt Limit
In March 2006, then-Senator Barack Obama commented against raising the debt ceiling.
May 2006: Implementation plan published by the Homeland Security Council
In May 2006, an implementation plan for pandemic influenza, from the Homeland Security Council, was published.
July 19, 2006: Bush vetoes the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act
On July 19, 2006, George W. Bush used his veto power for the first time in his presidency to veto the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act.
August 2006: NSA Surveillance Program Ruled Unconstitutional
In August 2006, a U.S. district court judge ruled that the NSA electronic surveillance program was unconstitutional.
October 9, 2006: North Korea Nuclear Test
On October 9, 2006, North Korea detonated a nuclear device, complicating Bush's foreign policy.
October 17, 2006: Military Commissions Act Signed
On October 17, 2006, President Bush signed the Military Commissions Act of 2006 into law, allowing the U.S. government to prosecute unlawful enemy combatants by military commission.
2006: Bush urges Congress to allow illegal immigrants to work in the U.S.
In 2006, George W. Bush urged Congress to allow more than twelve million illegal immigrants to work in the United States with the creation of a "temporary guest-worker program".
2006: Funding Cut for NIH
In 2006, funding for the National Institutes of Health (NIH) was cut due to rising inflation, marking the first such cut in 36 years.
2006: Unfavorable Opinion of Bush in Most Countries Surveyed
In 2006, most respondents in 18 of 21 countries surveyed around the world were found to hold an unfavorable opinion of President Bush, judging his administration as negative for world security.
2006: Democratic Party Regains Control of Congress
In 2006, the Democratic Party regained control of Congress in the midterm elections. Polls that same year showed an average of 37 percent approval ratings for Bush.
2006: Taliban insurgency appears larger, fiercer and better organized
In 2006, the Taliban insurgency appeared larger, fiercer and better organized than expected, with large-scale allied offensives such as Operation Mountain Thrust attaining limited success.
2006: Iraq Study Group Report
In 2006, the bipartisan Iraq Study Group, led by James Baker, issued a report concluding that the situation in Iraq was "grave and deteriorating".
2006: State of the Union Address: "America is addicted to oil"
In the 2006 State of the Union Address, George W. Bush declared that "America is addicted to oil" and he launched his Advanced Energy Initiative to increase energy development research in 2006.
2006: Creation of Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument
Later in 2006, President Bush declared the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands a national monument, creating the largest marine reserve to date. The Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument comprises 84 million acres and is home to 7,000 species.
January 10, 2007: Troop Surge in Iraq
On January 10, 2007, President Bush announced a surge of 21,500 more troops for Iraq, along with job programs and reconstruction proposals.
January 2007: Troop Surge in Iraq
In January 2007, George W. Bush launched a surge of troops in Iraq.
January 17, 2007: End of Surveillance Program
On January 17, 2007, Attorney General Alberto Gonzales informed U.S. Senate leaders that the President's Surveillance Program would not be reauthorized.
March 2007: Bush Most Disliked World Leader in Arab Nations
A March 2007 survey of public opinion in six Arab nations conducted by Zogby International and the University of Maryland found that President Bush was the most disliked world leader.
March 2007: Bush commissions additional troops to Afghanistan
As a result of the Taliban insurgency growing, George W. Bush commissioned 3,500 additional troops to Afghanistan in March 2007.
May 1, 2007: Veto of Troop Withdrawal Bill
On May 1, 2007, President Bush vetoed a bill setting a deadline for the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq.
May 7, 2007: North Korea Nuclear Reactor Shutdown Agreement
On May 7, 2007, North Korea agreed to shut down its nuclear reactors immediately pending the release of frozen funds held in a foreign bank account.
June 2007: Enthusiastic greeting in Albania
During a visit to Albania in June 2007, President Bush was greeted enthusiastically, with a huge image of him displayed in Tirana and a street named after him. A statue of him was also unveiled in Fushë-Krujë.
June 2007: Bush supports the Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act of 2007
From May to June 2007, George W. Bush strongly supported the Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act of 2007, which was written by a bipartisan group of Senators with the active participation of the Bush administration.
June 2007: Street in Tirana renamed after Bush
In June 2007, a street in Tirana, Albania, was renamed after Bush a few days before he made the first-ever visit by an American president to Albania.
June 28, 2007: Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act of 2007 defeated in the Senate
On June 28, 2007, the Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act of 2007 was defeated in the Senate when a cloture motion failed on a 46–53 vote.
July 6, 2007: Surveillance Program Ruling Vacated
On July 6, 2007, the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit vacated the ruling that the NSA electronic surveillance program was unconstitutional.
July 2007: Unemployment Rate Drops to 4.5 Percent
In July 2007, the unemployment rate dropped to 4.5 percent.
September 2, 2007: North Korea Nuclear Program Dismantlement Agreement
On September 2, 2007, North Korea agreed to disclose and dismantle all its nuclear programs by the end of 2007.
October 2007: Dow Jones Industrial Average Peak
In October 2007, the Dow Jones Industrial Average peaked at over 14,000 during Bush's presidency.
November 2007: Treasury Department Freezes Assets
In November 2007, the Treasury Department froze the assets of two Lebanese and two Syrians, accusing them of activities to "undermine the legitimate political process in Lebanon".
December 2007: The US Enters Recession
In December 2007, the United States entered the longest post–World War II recession.
2007: Financial Crisis and Low Approval Ratings
During 2007, George W. Bush faced one of the lowest approval ratings during the financial crisis.
2007: State of the Union Address: Pledge to reduce reliance on foreign oil
During the 2007 State of the Union Address, George W. Bush renewed his pledge to diminish reliance on foreign oil by reducing fossil fuel consumption and increasing alternative fuel production in 2007.
2007: Deterioration of the situation in Iraq
From 2004 until 2007, the situation in Iraq deteriorated further, with some observers arguing that there was a full-scale civil war in Iraq.
2007: Veto of State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) Legislation
In 2007, President Bush vetoed State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) legislation, which was added by the Democrats onto a war funding bill and passed by Congress. Bush viewed the legislation as a move toward socialized health care.
2007: Economic Recession
In 2007, the United States entered its longest post-World War II recession, impacting Bush's presidency.
2007: Approval Ratings Hover in Mid-Thirties
Throughout most of 2007, President Bush's approval rating hovered in the mid-thirties, with an average approval rating for his entire second term at 37 percent, according to Gallup.
February 2008: 63,000 Jobs Lost
In February 2008, 63,000 jobs were lost, a five-year record.
March 8, 2008: Veto of Intelligence Oversight Bill
On March 8, 2008, President Bush vetoed H.R. 2082, a bill that would have expanded congressional oversight over the intelligence community and banned the use of waterboarding.
March 10, 2008: Congress files lawsuit to enforce subpoenas
On March 10, 2008, the Congress filed a federal lawsuit to enforce their issued subpoenas in regards to whether the Justice Department and the White House were using the U.S. Attorney positions for political advantage.
March 2008: Bush Praises Iraqi Government
In March 2008, President Bush praised the Iraqi government's "bold decision" to launch the Battle of Basra against the Mahdi Army, calling it "a defining moment in the history of a free Iraq".
April 2008: Disapproval Ratings Reach Record High
In April 2008, President Bush's disapproval ratings reached the highest ever recorded for any president in the 70-year history of the Gallup poll, with 69 percent of those polled disapproving of his job performance.
May 21, 2008: Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act Signed Into Law
On May 21, 2008, President Bush signed into law the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act, aimed to protect Americans against health insurance and employment discrimination based on a person's genetic information. This issue had been debated for 13 years before it became law.
June 9, 2008: Impeachment Articles Introduced
On June 9, 2008, Representative Dennis Kucinich introduced 35 articles of impeachment against President Bush on the floor of the House of Representatives, focusing on the NSA warrantless surveillance controversy, the justification for the war in Iraq, and alleged violations of the Geneva Conventions.
June 2008: Bush urges Congress to expand domestic oil production
In June 2008, George W. Bush stated that the solution to high oil demand is to reduce demand for oil by promoting alternative energy technologies. He also urged Congress to expand domestic oil production during June 2008.
July 2008: Withdrawal of American Forces
By July 2008, American troop deaths had reached their lowest number since the war began, and due to increased stability in Iraq, Bush withdrew additional American forces.
July 31, 2008: Court rules Bush advisers not immune from subpoenas
On July 31, 2008, a United States district court judge ruled that George W. Bush's top advisers were not immune from Congressional subpoenas regarding whether the Justice Department and the White House were using the U.S. Attorney positions for political advantage.
September 2008: Financial Crisis Intensifies
In September 2008, the financial crisis escalated with the government takeover of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, the collapse of Lehman Brothers, and an $85 billion federal bailout of American International Group (AIG).
October 2008: National Debt Rises to $11.3 Trillion
By October 2008, the national debt had risen to $11.3 trillion, more than doubling it since 2000.
December 14, 2008: Shoe-throwing incident in Baghdad
On December 14, 2008, during a press conference in Baghdad, Iraqi journalist Muntadhar al-Zaidi threw both of his shoes at President Bush. Bush was unharmed, but White House press secretary Dana Perino was bruised. Al-Zaidi was sentenced to a year in prison.
December 2008: Shoe-Throwing Incident in Iraq
During President Bush's last visit to Iraq in December 2008, Iraqi journalist Muntadhar al-Zaidi threw both of his shoes at him during a press conference.
2008: Federal Government Spending
By 2008, the federal government spending increased to $2.983 trillion and revenues increased to $2.524 trillion.
2008: Bush's approval rating drops to 19 percent
By the beginning of 2008, President Bush's final year in office, his approval rating dropped to a low of just 19 percent, largely from the loss of support among Republicans.
2008: Criticism related to the Financial Crisis
Critics often point to Bush's handling of the 2008 financial crisis, as proof that he was unfit to be president.
2008: Financial Crisis Deepens
In 2008, the financial crisis deepened, further impacting George W. Bush's presidency.
2008: Dow Jones Industrial Average at 7,949 when Bush Left Office
In 2008, when Bush left office, the Dow Jones Industrial Average was at 7,949, one of the lowest levels of his presidency.
2008: Bush vows support for Ukraine and Georgia to join NATO
In early 2008, George W. Bush vowed full support for admitting Ukraine and Georgia into NATO despite Russia's opposition to the further enlargement of NATO. During the 2008 Russo-Georgian diplomatic crisis, Bush condemned Russia for recognizing the separatist government of South Ossetia.
2008: Approval Ratings Remain at Record Lows Before Election
In polls conducted in the fall just before the 2008 election, President Bush's approval ratings remained at record lows, ranging from 19 to 20 percent, while his disapproval ratings ranged from 67 percent to as high as 75 percent.
2008: State of the Union Address: Commitment to clean energy technologies
In the 2008 State of the Union Address, George W. Bush committed $2 billion over the next three years to a new international fund to promote clean energy technologies and fight climate change in 2008.
January 2009: Bush's favorability rating after leaving office
In January 2009, a Gallup poll noted that Bush's favorability ratings in public opinion surveys had begun to rise a year after he had left office. His rating was at 40 percent in January 2009.
March 2009: Bush's favorability rating in March 2009
In March 2009, Bush's favorability rating was at 35 percent.
March 2009: First post-presidency speech
In March 2009, George W. Bush delivered his first post-presidency speech in Calgary, Alberta, appeared via video on The Colbert Report, and attended the funeral of Senator Ted Kennedy.
September 15, 2009: Al-Zaidi released from prison
On September 15, 2009, Muntadhar al-Zaidi, the Iraqi journalist who threw his shoes at President Bush on December 14, 2008, was released from prison early for good behavior.
November 5, 2009: Visit to Fort Hood Shooting Survivors and Families
Following the Fort Hood shooting on November 5, 2009, George W. Bush and Laura Bush paid a private, undisclosed visit to the survivors and victims' families the day after the shooting.
2009: Condoleezza Rice's time as Secretary of State ends
In 2009, Condoleezza Rice's time as Secretary of State for George Bush ended.
2009: Initial C-SPAN Ranking
In 2009, George W. Bush was initially ranked 36th in the C-SPAN survey of historians.
2009: Final Approval Rating
In polling conducted January 9–11, 2009, President Bush's final job approval rating by Gallup was 34 percent, which placed him on par with Jimmy Carter and Harry S. Truman.
January 2010: Establishment of Clinton Bush Haiti Fund
In January 2010, at President Obama's request, George W. Bush and Bill Clinton established the Clinton Bush Haiti Fund to raise contributions for relief and recovery efforts following the 2010 Haiti earthquake earlier that month.
March 2010: Report on False Pretenses
In March 2010, the Center for Public Integrity released a report stating that President Bush's administration had made more than 900 false pretenses in a two-year period about the alleged threat of Iraq against the United States.
June 22, 2010: Bush Comments on North Korea
On June 22, 2010, President Bush commented on the suffering of the people of North Korea due to communism and the leader's focus on personal luxuries and nuclear weapons programs.
July 2010: Bush's favorability rating rises to 45 percent
By July 2010, Bush's favorability rating had risen to 45 percent, a period during which he had remained largely out of the news.
September 19, 2010: Olmert says Bush offered to accept Palestinian refugees
On September 19, 2010, former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said that George W. Bush offered to accept 100,000 Palestinian refugees as American citizens if a permanent settlement had been reached between Israel and the Palestinian Authority.
November 9, 2010: Release of 'Decision Points' memoir
On November 9, 2010, George W. Bush released his memoirs, "Decision Points". He discussed his presidency, highlighting his biggest accomplishment as keeping the country safe and his greatest failure as the inability to secure the passage of Social Security reform. He also defended his administration's enhanced interrogation techniques.
2010: Siena Research Institute Survey Ranking
A 2010 Siena Research Institute survey of the opinions of historians, political scientists, and presidential scholars ranked George W. Bush 39th out of 43 presidents.
2010: Attendance at Texas Rangers Playoff Games
In 2010, George W. Bush attended every home playoff game for the Texas Rangers, and threw out the ceremonial first pitch at Game 4 of the 2010 World Series with his father.
2010: Tony Blair defends Bush's intelligence
In 2010, Tony Blair stated that the perception of Bush as unintelligent was "ludicrous", asserting that Bush is "very smart."
2010: Justice Department concludes political considerations in attorney firings
In 2010, the Justice Department investigator concluded that though political considerations did play a part in as many as four of the attorney firings, the firings were "inappropriately political" but not criminal.
May 2, 2011: Notification of Osama bin Laden's Death
On May 2, 2011, President Obama called George W. Bush, who was at a restaurant with his wife, to inform him that Osama bin Laden had been killed.
May 2011: Osama bin Laden killed by U.S. forces
In May 2011, two years after George W. Bush left office, Osama bin Laden was killed by U.S. forces under the Obama administration.
2011: Disagreement with Obama's Troop Withdrawal
In 2011, George W. Bush vocally disagreed with President Obama's withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq, calling it a "strategic blunder".
February 2012: Gallup poll on Bush's presidential rating
In February 2012, a Gallup poll indicated that Americans still rated George W. Bush among the worst presidents, although their views had become more positive in the three years since he left office.
2012: Bush awarded the Order of the Cross of Terra Mariana
In 2012, Estonian President Toomas Hendrik Ilves awarded Bush the Order of the Cross of Terra Mariana for his work in expanding NATO.
2012: Foreword to economics book and support for Mitt Romney
In 2012, George W. Bush wrote the foreword to "The 4% Solution: Unleashing the Economic Growth America Needs" and supported Mitt Romney for president, appearing in a videotape at the Republican National Convention.
April 2013: Bush's highest approval rating since December 2005
In April 2013, Bush's approval rating stood at 47 percent approval and 50 percent disapproval in a poll jointly conducted for The Washington Post and ABC, his highest approval rating since December 2005. Bush had achieved notable gains among seniors, non-college whites, and moderate and conservative Democrats since leaving office, although majorities disapproved of his handling of the economy (53 percent) and the Iraq War (57 percent).
June 2013: Bush's ratings become more positive than negative
In June 2013, a Gallup poll marked the first time where Bush's ratings have been more positive than negative, with 49 percent viewing him favorably compared to 46 percent unfavorably.
August 6, 2013: Treatment for Coronary Artery Blockage
On August 6, 2013, George W. Bush was successfully treated for a coronary artery blockage with a stent. The blockage was discovered during an annual medical examination.
November 19, 2013: Appearance on The Tonight Show
On November 19, 2013, George W. Bush and his wife Laura appeared on NBC's The Tonight Show with Jay Leno. Bush stated that he does not comment publicly about the Obama administration because he believes "it's good for the country to have a former president criticize his successor."
2013: PEPFAR success in saving lives
By 2013, President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) is estimated to have saved five million lives
2013: Bush's Perspective on Historical Judgment
In 2013, George W. Bush stated, "Ultimately history will judge the decisions I made, and I won't be around because it will take time for the objective historians to show up. So I am pretty comfortable with it. I did what I did."
2014: Forum on Education and Health & Biography Publication
In 2014, Alongside the United States–Africa Leaders Summit, Bush, Michelle Obama, the State Department, and the George W. Bush Institute hosted a daylong forum on education and health with the spouses of the African leaders attending the summit. On November 11, Bush published a biography of his father titled 41: A Portrait of My Father.
2015: Reference point for CNN poll in 2018
A CNN poll in 2018 found that 61% of respondents held a favorable view of Bush, an increase of nine points from 2015.
2016: Congratulations to Trump on Election Victory
After the 2016 elections, Bush, his father, and his brother Jeb called Trump on the phone to congratulate him on his victory.
2016: Support for Jeb Bush and Concerns About the Republican Party
During the early stages of the 2016 Republican presidential primaries, George W. Bush campaigned for his brother Jeb Bush. After Donald Trump won the party's nomination, Bush refused to endorse Trump and did not attend the party's convention. Bush privately expressed concern that he would be the last Republican president and left his presidential ballot blank instead of voting for Trump.
2016: Statement on Dallas Police Shooting
In 2016, George W. Bush reacted to the shooting of Dallas police officers by condemning the violence, stating, "Murdering the innocent is always evil, never more so than when the lives taken belong to those who protect our families and communities."
January 20, 2017: Attendance at Trump's Inauguration and Post-Ceremony Comments
On January 20, 2017, George W. Bush and his wife attended Donald Trump's first inauguration. Images of Bush struggling to put on a rain poncho during the ceremony became an internet meme. While leaving the event, Bush allegedly described the ceremony, and Trump's inaugural address in particular, as "some weird shit".
February 2017: Release of Portraits of Courage
In February 2017, George W. Bush released a book of his own portraits of veterans called Portraits of Courage.
September 7, 2017: Partnership for One America Appeal
On September 7, 2017, George W. Bush partnered with former presidents Jimmy Carter, George H. W. Bush, Bill Clinton, and Barack Obama to work with One America Appeal to help the victims of Hurricane Harvey and Hurricane Irma in the Gulf Coast and Texas communities.
2017: Improved public image in 2017
In 2017, Bush's public image saw greater improvement, with a YouGov survey showing 51 percent of favorability from Democrats.
September 1, 2018: Eulogy at John McCain's Funeral
On September 1, 2018, George W. Bush and Laura Bush attended the funeral of John McCain at the Washington National Cathedral in Washington, D.C., where Bush spoke.
September 2018: Friendship with Michelle Obama at McCain Funeral
In September 2018, George W. Bush famously passed mints to Michelle Obama during the McCain funeral.
December 2018: Friendship with Michelle Obama at Bush Senior's Funeral
In December 2018, George W. Bush gave mints to Michelle Obama again during the funeral of his father.
2018: Favorable view increase in 2018
In 2018, a CNN poll found that 61 percent of respondents held a favorable view of Bush, an increase of nine points from 2015.
May 2019: Drawing a Portrait of Roh Moo-hyun
In May 2019, on the tenth anniversary of former South Korean president Roh Moo-hyun's death, George W. Bush drew a portrait of Roh to give to his family.
May 2019: Visit to South Korea for Roh Moo-hyun's Anniversary
In May 2019, on the tenth anniversary of former South Korean president Roh Moo-hyun's death, George W. Bush visited South Korea to pay respects to Roh, delivering a short eulogy.
June 1, 2020: Statement on the Murder of George Floyd
On June 1, 2020, George W. Bush released a statement addressing the murder of George Floyd and the subsequent nationwide reaction and protests, where he and former first lady Laura Bush "are anguished by the brutal suffocation of George Floyd and disturbed by the injustice and fear that suffocate our country".
2020: Fundraising and Non-Attendance at Republican National Convention
In 2020, George W. Bush did not give any endorsements during the presidential election, but held a virtual fundraiser for U.S. Senators Susan Collins, Cory Gardner, Martha McSally, and Thom Tillis. He also did not attend the 2020 Republican National Convention.
January 6, 2021: Condemnation of the U.S. Capitol Attack
On January 6, 2021, following the U.S. Capitol attack, George W. Bush denounced the violence and attack alongside the three other living former presidents. Bush stated that "this is how election results are disputed in a banana republic, not our democratic republic", and that "it is a sickening and heartbreaking sight".
April 2021: Write-in Vote for Condoleezza Rice
In April 2021, George W. Bush told People magazine that he did not vote for either Trump or Biden in the 2020 election. Instead, he wrote in Condoleezza Rice.
July 14, 2021: Reaffirmation of Opposition to Troop Withdrawal from Afghanistan
During an interview with Deutsche Welle on July 14, 2021, George W. Bush reaffirmed his opposition to President Biden's withdrawal of American troops from Afghanistan, calling the plan "a mistake".
September 11, 2021: Speech at Flight 93 National Memorial
On September 11, 2021, the 20th anniversary of the September 11 attacks, George W. Bush gave a speech at the Flight 93 National Memorial, praising the heroism of the people on Flight 93 and the spirit of America.
2021: C-SPAN Historians Survey Ranking
C-SPAN's 2021 survey of historians ranked George W. Bush as the 29th-best president.
2023: PEPFAR Successes
By 2023, the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) was estimated to have saved over 25 million lives, alleviating the severity of the HIV/AIDS epidemic especially in Sub-Saharan Africa, and was called "George W. Bush's greatest accomplishment" by Vox.
2023: Threw First Pitch in Game 1 of World Series
In 2023, George W. Bush threw the first pitch in Game 1 of the World Series.
July 13, 2024: Condemnation of Assassination Attempt on Trump
On July 13, 2024, George W. Bush condemned the assassination attempt on former President Trump, calling it "cowardly" and applauding the Secret Service's response.
January 20, 2025: Attendance at Trump's Second Inauguration
On January 20, 2025, George W. Bush and his wife attended Trump's second inauguration.
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