History of George W. Bush in Timeline
George W. Bush served as the 43rd U.S. President (2001-2009). A Republican and son of President George H.W. Bush, he previously served as the 46th Governor of Texas (1995-2000). His presidency was largely defined by the September 11th terrorist attacks, leading to the launch of the War on Terror, including military interventions in Afghanistan and Iraq. Domestically, he enacted education reform through the No Child Left Behind Act, as well as tax cuts and expansion of Medicare. His administration faced criticism for its handling of Hurricane Katrina and the financial crisis of 2008.
1935: George Mahon Held the District for the Democratic Party
In 1935, George Mahon held the U.S. House of Representatives from Texas's 19th congressional district 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 H.W. Bush and Barbara Pierce.
1953: Death of Younger Sister
In 1953, George W. Bush's younger sister, Robin, passed away from leukemia at the young age of three, marking a significant loss for the Bush family.
1964: Enrollment at Yale University
In 1964, George W. Bush started his studies at Yale University.
1967: Engagement to Cathryn Lee Wolfman
In 1967, George W. Bush was engaged to Cathryn Lee Wolfman, although the engagement eventually ended.
May 1968: Commissioned into the Texas Air National Guard
In May 1968, George W. Bush was commissioned into the Texas Air National Guard, starting his military service.
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 Alabama Air National Guard
In late 1972 and early 1973, George W. Bush drilled with the 187th Fighter Wing of the Alabama Air National Guard.
1973: Enrollment at Harvard Business School
In the fall of 1973, George W. Bush enrolled at Harvard Business School.
November 21, 1974: Honorable Discharge from the 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 with an MBA degree, becoming the only U.S. president to hold this degree.
September 4, 1976: Arrest for DUI
On September 4, 1976, George W. Bush was arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol 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, a schoolteacher and librarian, after a brief courtship.
1978: Arbusto Energy Operations Begin
In 1978, Arbusto Energy, established by George W. Bush, began its operations in oil exploration.
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 H.W. Bush, George W. Bush's father, became Ronald Reagan's vice president.
1984: Merger with Spectrum 7
In 1984, Arbusto Energy merged with the larger Spectrum 7, and George W. Bush became chairman.
1986: Decision to Give Up Alcohol
In 1986, George W. Bush decided to give up alcohol, attributing his decision to his wife's influence and his faith in God.
1988: Moved 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 Stake
In April 1989, George W. Bush arranged for investors to purchase a controlling interest in the Texas Rangers, investing himself.
1989: Father Becomes President
In 1989, George H.W. Bush, George W. Bush's father, became the 41st U.S. president.
December 1991: Appointed as Campaign Advisor for Father's Re-election
In December 1991, George W. Bush was appointed as a campaign advisor for his father's 1992 presidential re-election campaign.
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: Served as Campaign Advisor for Father's Re-election Campaign
In 1992, George W. Bush served as a campaign advisor for his father's presidential re-election campaign.
1993: End of Father's Presidential Term
In 1993, George H.W. Bush's term as the 41st U.S. president 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, marking a significant step in his political career.
1995: George W. Bush Becomes Governor of Texas
In 1995, George W. Bush became the 46th Governor of Texas, marking a significant milestone in his political career.
1995: Dickey-Wicker Amendment
In 1995, the Dickey-Wicker Amendment forbade federal funding for medical research involving the creation or destruction of human embryos.
1997: Senate Vote on Kyoto Protocol in 1997
In 1997, the Senate voted 95-0 on a resolution expressing its disapproval of the Kyoto Protocol which Bush cited in 2001.
1998: Clinton's response to India's nuclear test
Following the 1998 nuclear tests, Bill Clinton's approach and response to India 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: Law for Renewable Energy
In 1999, George W. Bush signed a law requiring electric retailers to buy energy from renewable sources, contributing to Texas becoming a leading producer of wind power.
June 10, 2000: Jesus Day Proclamation in Texas
On June 10, 2000, George W. Bush proclaimed Jesus Day in Texas, urging 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.
2000: Increased Immigration to the U.S.
From 2000 to 2005, nearly eight million immigrants came to the U.S., marking the highest immigration rate in a five-year period in the nation's history.
2000: Elected President of the United States
In 2000, George W. Bush won the presidential election against Al Gore after a contested Electoral College win.
2000: End of Bush's Term as Texas Governor
In 2000, George W. Bush's term as the 46th Governor of Texas came to an end, paving the way for his pursuit of the U.S. presidency.
2000: George W. Bush, Time Person of the Year
In 2000, Time magazine named George W. Bush as its Person of the Year for his influence on the year's events.
2000: Government Spending and Revenue in 2000
In 2000, the federal government spending was $1.789 trillion and revenues were $2.025 trillion.
2000: Fiscal Year 2000 Surplus
In fiscal year 2000, the U.S. experienced a $237 billion surplus, marking the third consecutive surplus and the largest ever recorded.
2000: Potential Presidential Candidate
Throughout George W. Bush's first term as Texas Governor, he became the focus of national attention as a potential future presidential candidate.
January 2001: Unemployment Rate in January 2001
In January 2001, the unemployment rate was at 4.2 percent.
February 7, 2001: Shooting Incident Near the White House
On February 7, 2001, Robert W. Pickett discharged a number of shots from a revolver "in the general direction" of the White House while Bush was in the residence area.
May 2001: Executive Order on Energy Projects in May 2001
In May 2001, George W. Bush signed an executive order to create an interagency task force to streamline energy projects.
August 9, 2001: Executive Order on Stem Cell Research Funding
On August 9, 2001, George W. Bush signed an executive order lifting the ban on federal funding for research on existing stem cell lines.
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: Start of Bombing Campaigns in Afghanistan
On October 7, 2001, U.S. and British forces initiated bombing campaigns in Afghanistan, leading to the arrival of Northern Alliance troops in Kabul on November 13, with the goal of defeating the Taliban and driving al-Qaeda out of Afghanistan.
December 2001: Osama bin Laden Escapes at Tora Bora
In December 2001, al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden escaped a battle 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: Taliban Defeat Reported
In December 2001, the Pentagon reported that the Taliban had been defeated in Afghanistan, but cautioned that the war would continue to weaken Taliban and al-Qaeda leaders. The UN had installed the Afghan Transitional Administration chaired by Hamid Karzai.
2001: Condoleezza Rice becomes National Security Advisor
In 2001, Condoleezza Rice became George W. Bush's National Security Advisor
2001: Bush's Tax Cut Program in 2001
In 2001, George W. Bush proposed a $1.35 trillion tax cut program, arguing that the surplus was the people's money and should be returned to taxpayers. Federal Reserve chairman Alan Greenspan warned of a recession.
2001: Opposition to Kyoto Protocol in 2001
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: Inauguration as 43rd President
In 2001, George W. Bush was inaugurated as the 43rd President of the United States, commencing his presidency.
2001: Dow Jones Average When Bush Entered Office in 2001
In 2001, when George W. Bush entered office, the Dow Jones Industrial Average was at 10,587.
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", which became the basis for the Bush Doctrine.
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: CIA's consideration of Enhanced Interrogation Techniques
Between 2002 and 2003, the CIA considered certain enhanced interrogation techniques, such as waterboarding, to be legal based on secret Justice Department legal opinions arguing that terror detainees were not protected by the Geneva Conventions' ban on torture
2002: Clear Skies Act Proposed in 2002
In 2002, George W. Bush proposed the Clear Skies Act, which aimed at amending the Clean Air Act to reduce air pollution through emissions trading programs.
2002: No Child Left Behind Act Signed into Law in 2002
In early 2002, George W. Bush signed the No Child Left Behind Act into law, aiming to measure and close the gap between rich and poor student performance and provide options to parents with students in low-performing schools.
2002: CIA Reports on Iraq's WMD 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. Contentions that the Bush Administration manipulated or exaggerated the threat and evidence of Iraq's weapons of mass destruction capabilities would eventually become a major point of criticism for the president.
January 2003: Announcement of PEPFAR
In the State of the Union address in January 2003, Bush outlined a five-year strategy for global emergency AIDS relief, the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR).
March 20, 2003: Invasion of Iraq Launched
On March 20, 2003, the "coalition of the willing", led by the United States, launched the invasion of Iraq.
April 9, 2003: Fall of Baghdad
On April 9, 2003, Baghdad, the capital of Iraq, fell to U.S. forces.
June 2003: Unemployment Rate in June 2003
In June 2003, the unemployment rate rose to 6.3 percent.
2003: CIA's consideration of Enhanced Interrogation Techniques
Between 2002 and 2003, the CIA considered certain enhanced interrogation techniques, such as waterboarding, to be legal based on secret Justice Department legal opinions arguing that terror detainees were not protected by the Geneva Conventions' ban on torture
2003: Taliban Regrouping
By early 2003, the Taliban was regrouping in Afghanistan, amassing new funds and recruits, despite initial success in driving them from power.
2003: Military Intervention in Haiti
From 2003 to 2004, George W. Bush authorized U.S. military intervention in Haiti and Liberia to protect U.S. interests.
2003: Signing of the Syria Accountability Act
In 2003, Bush signed the Syria Accountability Act, which expanded sanctions on Syria.
2003: Medicare Act of 2003
In 2003, George W. Bush signed the Medicare Act, which included changes to the Medicare program by providing beneficiaries with assistance in paying for prescription drugs, while relying on private insurance.
2003: Initiation of AIDS Relief Program and Invasion of Iraq
In 2003, President Bush initiated the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief and ordered the invasion of Iraq.
2003: Push for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac Regulations in 2003
In 2003, the Bush administration pushed for increased regulation of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, but the regulations failed in the Senate after passing the House.
2003: Clear Skies Act Fails in 2003
In 2003, the Clear Skies Act failed to make it out of committee in Congress.
2003: Troop Withdrawal from Saudi Arabia
In 2003, the U.S. withdrew most of its troops from Saudi Arabia.
2003: Another Tax Cut Passed in 2003
In 2003, the economy showed signs of improvement, though job growth remained stagnant, and another tax cut was passed during George W. Bush's presidency.
2003: Diplomatic Crisis and Iraq War
In late 2002 and early 2003, George W. Bush urged the United Nations to enforce Iraqi disarmament mandates, precipitating a diplomatic crisis and leading to the U.S. invasion of Iraq without UN approval. The Bush administration's claim that the Iraq War was part of the War on Terror had been questioned.
May 2004: High Approval Among Republicans
In May 2004, Gallup reported that 89 percent of the Republican electorate approved of President Bush.
December 2004: Approval Rating Dips Below 50%
In December 2004, President Bush's approval rating fell below 50 percent in AP-Ipsos polling, signaling a decline in public support.
2004: Military Intervention in Liberia
From 2003 to 2004, George W. Bush authorized U.S. military intervention in Haiti and Liberia to protect U.S. interests.
2004: Deterioration of the Situation in Iraq
From 2004, the situation in Iraq deteriorated further, with some observers arguing that there was a full-scale civil war in Iraq.
2004: 2004 Re-election Campaign
In 2004, George W. Bush ran for re-election with broad Republican support, emphasizing the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, the USA PATRIOT Act, constitutional amendments against abortion and same-sex marriage, Social Security reform, and opposition to mandatory carbon emissions controls. He also proposed a guest worker program for immigrants.
2004: Re-election as President
In 2004, George W. Bush was re-elected as President, defeating John Kerry and winning the popular vote.
2004: Executive orders to freeze assets
In 2004, executive orders were signed by Bush authorizing the Treasury Department to freeze the assets of certain individuals.
2004: CIA Director Nomination and Purge
In 2004, following George Tenet's resignation, George W. Bush nominated Porter Goss as CIA director and ordered a purge of officers deemed disloyal, leading to the dismissal or resignation of many senior agents. The CIA was later accused of leaking classified information to undermine the 2004 election.
2004: Poverty Rate in 2004
In 2004, the poverty rate peaked at 12.7 percent.
January 2005: Elections Held 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.
May 10, 2005: Hand Grenade Thrown at President Bush
On May 10, 2005, during a speech in Freedom Square, a live Soviet-made RGD-5 hand grenade was thrown towards President Bush, landing about 61 feet from the podium. It failed to detonate due to a handkerchief wrapped around it.
June 2005: Executive Order on Sanctions Against Syria
In June 2005, an executive order was issued to act on the sanctions against Syria, freezing American bank accounts of Syrian institutions.
June 2005: Release of Military Records
In June 2005, the Department of Defense released all the records of George W. Bush's Texas Air National Guard service, addressing allegations about his service.
July 2005: Arutyunian Arrested
In July 2005, Vladimir Arutyunian, who threw the grenade at President Bush in May, was arrested. During the arrest, he killed an Interior Ministry agent.
July 19, 2005: Nomination of John Roberts
On July 19, 2005, President Bush nominated federal appellate judge John Roberts to replace Associate Justice Sandra Day O'Connor, following her retirement on July 1.
September 29, 2005: 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 William Rehnquist's death.
October 3, 2005: Nomination of Harriet Miers
On October 3, 2005, President Bush nominated White House Counsel Harriet Miers to succeed Sandra Day O'Connor as Associate Justice.
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
On November 1, 2005, George W. Bush launched a National Strategy for Pandemic Influenza.
December 2005: Bush's Approval Rating
In December 2005, Bush's approval rating was at its highest point before declining until April 2013 when he reached the same approval rating.
2005: Increased Immigration to the U.S.
From 2000 to 2005, nearly eight million immigrants came to the U.S., marking the highest immigration rate in a five-year period in the nation's history.
2005: Condoleezza Rice becomes Secretary of State
In 2005, Condoleezza Rice became George W. Bush's Secretary of State
2005: Campaigning for Social Security Reform in 2005
In 2005, George W. Bush embarked on a national tour to campaign for his Social Security reform initiative, but public support declined due to political fallout from Hurricane Katrina.
2005: Social Security Reform Initiative in 2005
In 2005, George W. Bush outlined a major initiative to reform Social Security, including partial privatization and personal Social Security accounts, despite opposition from Congress.
2005: Hurricane Katrina
In 2005, Hurricane Katrina, one of the most damaging natural disasters in U.S. history, devastated much of the north-central Gulf Coast of the United States, particularly New Orleans.
2005: Operation Red Wings Failure
In 2005, the failure of Operation Red Wings in Afghanistan demonstrated that the Taliban had returned.
January 2006: Arutyunian Convicted
In January 2006, Vladimir Arutyunian was convicted and given a life sentence for attempting to assassinate President Bush and killing an Interior Ministry agent.
January 31, 2006: Alito Confirmed to Supreme Court
On January 31, 2006, Samuel Alito was confirmed by the Senate to replace Sandra Day O'Connor on the Supreme Court, after Harriet Miers withdrew her nomination in October 2005.
March 2006: Bush Visits India
In March 2006, George W. Bush visited India, focusing on nuclear energy, counter-terrorism cooperation, and discussions leading to the India-United States Civil Nuclear Agreement.
March 2006: Obama's Criticism of Debt Ceiling in March 2006
In March 2006, then-Senator Barack Obama criticized raising America's debt limit as a sign of leadership failure.
May 2006: Pandemic Influenza Implementation Plan in May 2006
In May 2006, the Homeland Security Council published an implementation plan resulting from Bush's National Strategy for Pandemic Influenza.
July 19, 2006: Veto of Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act
On July 19, 2006, George W. Bush used his veto power for the first time to veto the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act, which would have permitted federal funding for embryonic stem cell research.
August 2006: Ruling Against NSA Surveillance Program
In August 2006, a U.S. district court judge ruled that the NSA electronic surveillance program was unconstitutional.
October 9, 2006: North Korea's Nuclear Detonation
On October 9, 2006, North Korea's detonation of a nuclear device further complicated Bush's foreign policy.
October 17, 2006: Signing of the Military Commissions Act
On October 17, 2006, Bush signed the Military Commissions Act of 2006 into law, allowing the U.S. government to prosecute unlawful enemy combatants by military commission rather than a standard trial.
2006: Creation of Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument in 2006
In 2006, George W. Bush declared the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands a national monument, creating the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument, the largest marine reserve to date, comprising 84 million acres and home to 7,000 species.
2006: Call for Temporary Guest-Worker Program
In 2006, George W. Bush urged Congress to allow over twelve million illegal immigrants to work in the U.S. through a "temporary guest-worker program," while also seeking funds for border security and deploying National Guard troops.
2006: Democrats Regain Control of Congress
In 2006, amid Bush's unpopularity, the Democrats regained control of Congress.
2006: Funding Cut for NIH in 2006
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 Worldwide
In 2006, surveys found that most respondents in 18 of 21 countries held an unfavorable opinion of President Bush, judging his administration as negative for world security.
2006: Taliban Insurgency
In 2006, the Taliban insurgency in Afghanistan appeared larger, fiercer, and better organized than expected, leading to large-scale allied offensives with limited success.
2006: Iraq Study Group Report
In 2006, the bipartisan Iraq Study Group, led by James Baker, concluded that the situation in Iraq was "grave and deteriorating".
2006: Advanced Energy Initiative Launched in 2006
In his 2006 State of the Union Address, George W. Bush declared, "America is addicted to oil" and launched his Advanced Energy Initiative to increase energy development research.
January 10, 2007: Troop Surge and Aid Package for Iraq
On January 10, 2007, Bush launched a surge of 21,500 more troops for Iraq, as well as a job program for Iraqis, more reconstruction proposals, and $1.2 billion for these programs.
January 2007: Troop Surge in Iraq
In January 2007, President Bush launched a surge of troops in Iraq.
January 17, 2007: End of President's 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 by the President, but would be subjected to judicial oversight.
March 2007: Bush Most Disliked World Leader
A March 2007 survey of public opinion in six Arab nations found that President Bush was the most disliked world leader.
March 2007: Additional Troops to Afghanistan
In March 2007, George W. Bush commissioned 3,500 additional troops to Afghanistan due to the unexpectedly large and fierce Taliban insurgency.
May 1, 2007: Veto of Troop Withdrawal Deadline Bill
On May 1, 2007, Bush used his second-ever veto to reject a bill setting a deadline for the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq.
May 7, 2007: North Korea Agrees to Shut Down Nuclear Reactors
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: Support for Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act
From May to June 2007, George W. Bush strongly supported the Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act of 2007, envisioning a legalization program, guest worker program, and enhanced border enforcement.
June 2007: Enthusiastic Reception in Albania
In June 2007, President Bush received an enthusiastic welcome during a visit to Albania, where he was highly regarded for his foreign policy stances.
June 2007: Street Renamed in Albania
In June 2007, a street in Tirana, Albania, was renamed after George W. Bush, coinciding with the first-ever visit by an American president to Albania, showing recognition of his contributions.
June 28, 2007: Defeat of Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act
On June 28, 2007, the Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act was defeated in the Senate, causing a rift within the Republican Party and leading George W. Bush to express disappointment over the failure of one of his key domestic initiatives.
July 6, 2007: Ruling Vacated on NSA Surveillance Program
On July 6, 2007, the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit vacated the August 2006 ruling against the NSA electronic surveillance program on the grounds that the plaintiffs lacked standing.
July 2007: Unemployment Rate in July 2007
In July 2007, the unemployment rate dropped to 4.5 percent.
September 2, 2007: North Korea Agrees to Disclose and Dismantle Nuclear Programs
On September 2, 2007, North Korea agreed to disclose and dismantle all its nuclear programs by the end of 2007.
October 2007: Peak of Dow Jones Average in October 2007
In October 2007, the Dow Jones Industrial Average peaked at over 14,000 during George W. Bush's presidency.
November 2007: Assets of Lebanese and Syrian Individuals Frozen
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: Start of the Great Recession in December 2007
In December 2007, the United States entered the longest post–World War II recession, due to a housing market correction, a subprime mortgage crisis, soaring oil prices, and other factors.
2007: Continued deterioration of the situation in Iraq
By 2007, the situation in Iraq continued to deteriorate, with some observers arguing that there was a full-scale civil war in Iraq.
2007: Financial Crisis and Low Approval Ratings
In 2007, George W. Bush faced one of his lowest approval ratings during the financial crisis.
2007: Veto of State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) in 2007
In 2007, George W. Bush vetoed the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) legislation, which would have expanded federally funded healthcare benefits to children of low-income families, viewing it as a move toward socialized health care.
2007: Economic Recession in 2007
In 2007, the United States entered the longest post-World War II recession during George W. Bush's presidency, amidst debates over immigration, healthcare, Social Security, economic policy, and treatment of terrorist detainees. Approval ratings declined, while disapproval numbers increased.
2007: State of the Union Address: Foreign Oil Reduction Pledge
In his 2007 State of the Union Address, George W. Bush renewed his pledge to work toward diminished reliance on foreign oil by reducing fossil fuel consumption and increasing alternative fuel production.
2007: Approval Rating Hovering in the Mid-Thirties
Throughout most of 2007, President Bush's approval rating hovered in the mid-thirties, and contributed to negative sentiment for Bush.
February 2008: Job Losses in February 2008
In February 2008, 63,000 jobs were lost, a five-year record, during the economic recession.
March 8, 2008: Veto of Bill on Intelligence Oversight and Interrogation
On March 8, 2008, 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 Over Subpoenas
On March 10, 2008, the Congress filed a federal lawsuit to enforce their issued subpoenas related to the U.S. Attorney firings.
March 2008: Praise for Iraqi Government's Action in Basra
In March 2008, Bush praised the Iraqi government's "bold decision" to launch the Battle of Basra against the Mahdi Army.
April 2008: Disapproval Ratings Reach Record High
In April 2008, President Bush's disapproval ratings reached the highest ever recorded in the history of the Gallup poll, with 69 percent disapproving of his job performance.
May 21, 2008: Signing of Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act on May 21, 2008
On May 21, 2008, George W. Bush signed the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act into law, protecting Americans against health insurance and employment discrimination based on genetic information.
June 9, 2008: Articles of Impeachment Introduced
On June 9, 2008, Representative Dennis Kucinich introduced 35 articles of impeachment against President Bush on the floor of the House of Representatives.
June 2008: Lifting of Offshore Drilling Ban
In June 2008, amid high gasoline prices, George W. Bush lifted a ban on offshore drilling, emphasizing the need for congressional action to access vast oil reserves and promoting alternative energy technologies as a long-term solution.
July 2008: Withdrawal of Additional 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 Ruling on Congressional 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.
September 2008: September 2008 Financial Crisis
In September 2008, the financial crisis became more serious with the government takeover of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, the collapse of Lehman Brothers, and a federal bailout of AIG for $85 billion.
October 2008: National Debt Rises to $11.3 Trillion in October 2008
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, while in Baghdad, an Iraqi journalist, Muntadhar al-Zaidi, threw both of his shoes at President Bush during a press conference. Bush was not injured, but Dana Perino was bruised.
December 2008: Shoe-Throwing Incident in Iraq
During Bush's last visit to Iraq in December 2008, Iraqi journalist Muntadhar al-Zaidi threw both of his shoes at him during an official press conference.
2008: Approval Rating Drops to 19%
By the beginning of 2008, President Bush's approval rating had dropped to a low of just 19 percent, largely from the loss of support among Republicans.
2008: Bush's Legacy and the 2008 Financial Crisis
George W. Bush's handling of the 2008 financial crisis is seen by critics as proof that he was unfit to be president.
2008: Financial Crisis and Low Approval Ratings
In 2008, George W. Bush faced one of his lowest approval ratings during the financial crisis.
2008: Government Spending and Revenue in 2008
In 2008, federal government spending increased to $2.983 trillion while revenues increased to $2.524 trillion.
2008: Dow Jones Average When Bush Left Office in 2008
In 2008, when George W. Bush left office, the Dow Jones Industrial Average was at 7,949, one of the lowest levels of his presidency.
2008: Support for Ukraine and Georgia's NATO Admission
In early 2008, George W. Bush vowed full support for admitting Ukraine and Georgia into NATO, and during the 2008 Russo-Georgian diplomatic crisis, he condemned Russia for recognizing the separatist government of South Ossetia and for invading Georgia.
2008: State of the Union Address: Clean Energy Fund Commitment
In his 2008 State of the Union Address, George W. Bush committed $2 billion over three years to an international fund to promote clean energy technologies and combat climate change, advocating for international agreements with commitments from major economies.
January 2009: Bush's Favorability Rating
In January 2009, Gallup reported Bush's favorability rating at 40 percent as he left office, marking a low point in public opinion at the end of his presidency.
March 2009: Bush's Favorability Rating
In March 2009, Gallup reported Bush's favorability rating at 35 percent, marking a low point in public opinion shortly after he left office.
March 2009: First Post-Presidency Speech
In March 2009, George W. Bush delivered his first post-presidency speech in Calgary, Alberta.
April 2009: Release of Secret Memos on Interrogation Tactics
In April 2009, the ACLU sued and won release of the secret memos that had authorized the Bush administration's interrogation tactics, including waterboarding.
May 2009: North Korea Restarts Nuclear Program
By May 2009, North Korea had restarted its nuclear program and threatened to attack South Korea.
September 15, 2009: Al-Zaidi Released Early
On September 15, 2009, Muntadhar al-Zaidi, the journalist who threw shoes at President Bush in December 2008, was released early from prison for good behavior.
November 5, 2009: Visit to Fort Hood Shooting Survivors
On November 5, 2009, following the Fort Hood shooting, George W. Bush and Laura Bush privately visited the survivors and the victims' families.
2009: Classified Provisions of the President's Surveillance Program
As of 2009, the provisions of the President's Surveillance Program remained highly classified.
2009: Bush ranked 36th-best president in C-SPAN Survey
George W. Bush was initially ranked the 36th-best president in C-SPAN's 2009 survey of historians.
2009: Condoleezza Rice leaves office as Secretary of State
In 2009, Condoleezza Rice left office as George W. Bush's Secretary of State
2009: End of Presidential Term
In 2009, George W. Bush's tenure as the 43rd President of the United States concluded.
2009: Final Approval Rating
In January 2009, at the end of his presidency, George W. Bush had one of the lowest approval ratings of any president in American history.
January 2010: Clinton Bush Haiti Fund Established
In January 2010, at President Obama's request, George W. Bush and Bill Clinton established the Clinton Bush Haiti Fund to raise money for relief efforts after the 2010 Haiti earthquake.
March 2010: Report on False Pretenses About Iraq
In March 2010, Center for Public Integrity released a report 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, as his rationale to engage in war in Iraq.
June 22, 2010: Bush's Comments on North Korea
On June 22, 2010, Bush commented on the suffering of the North Korean people under communism and criticized the regime's spending on luxuries and nuclear weapons.
July 2010: Bush's Favorability Rating Increases
In July 2010, Gallup noted that Bush's favorability rating had risen to 45 percent, a year after he left office. This indicated an initial improvement in public perception as he remained largely out of the news.
September 19, 2010: Olmert's Claim of Refugee Offer
On September 19, 2010, former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert claimed that George W. Bush offered to accept 100,000 Palestinian refugees as American citizens if a permanent settlement was reached between Israel and the Palestinian Authority.
November 9, 2010: Release of Memoirs: Decision Points
On November 9, 2010, George W. Bush released his memoirs, Decision Points, discussing his presidency and key decisions.
2010: Attended Every Home Playoff Game During Rangers Season
George W. Bush attended every home playoff game during the Rangers' 2010 season and, accompanied by his father, threw out the ceremonial first pitch at the Rangers Ballpark in Arlington for Game 4 of the 2010 World Series on October 31.
2010: Tony Blair on Bush's Intelligence
In 2010, Tony Blair refuted the notion that President Bush was unintelligent, stating that it was "ludicrous" and that Bush is "very smart."
2010: Historians Rank Bush Low in Survey
In 2010, a Siena Research Institute survey of historians, political scientists, and presidential scholars ranked George W. Bush 39th out of 43 presidents. Survey respondents gave Bush low ratings in areas like economics, communication, compromise, foreign policy, and intelligence.
2010: Justice Department Investigation Conclusion
In 2010, the Justice Department investigator concluded that though political considerations played a part in as many as four of the attorney firings, the firings were "inappropriately political" but not criminal.
May 2, 2011: Obama informs Bush about Bin Laden's death
On May 2, 2011, President Obama called George W. Bush to inform him that Osama bin Laden had been killed.
May 2011: Osama bin Laden Killed
Osama bin Laden was killed by U.S. forces under the Obama administration in May 2011, two years after Bush left office.
2011: Disagreed with 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 Reputation
In February 2012, a Gallup poll indicated that "Americans still rate George W. Bush among the worst presidents," although their views had become more positive since he left office. This marked a shift in public perception, though still largely negative.
2012: Order of the Cross of Terra Mariana Awarded
In 2012, Estonian President Toomas Hendrik Ilves awarded George W. Bush the Order of the Cross of Terra Mariana for his work in expanding NATO, recognizing his contributions to international relations and security.
2012: Foreword of The 4% Solution
In 2012, George W. Bush wrote the foreword of The 4% Solution: Unleashing the Economic Growth America Needs, an economics book published by the George W. Bush Presidential Center.
April 2013: Bush's Approval Rating
In April 2013, a poll conducted for The Washington Post and ABC indicated that Bush's approval rating stood at 47 percent approval and 50 percent disapproval, his highest approval rating since December 2005.
June 2013: Bush's Positive Ratings Exceed Negative
In June 2013, for the first time recorded by Gallup, George W. Bush's favorability ratings were more positive than negative, with 49 percent viewing him favorably compared to 46 percent unfavorably. This marked a significant turning point in public perception.
June 2013: PRISM Program Publicly Revealed
In June 2013, the NSA's replacement for the President's Surveillance Program, referred to as PRISM, was publicly revealed by The Washington Post and The Guardian.
August 6, 2013: Coronary Artery Blockage Treatment
On August 6, 2013, George W. Bush was successfully treated for a coronary artery blockage with a stent, which was discovered during an annual medical examination.
2013: PEPFAR's Impact
By 2013, The U.S. government had spent some $44 billion on PEPFAR and related programs which saved an estimated five million lives.
2013: Bush Comments on Historical Judgment
In 2013, George W. Bush said that "Ultimately history will judge the decisions I made...I did what I did."
2014: Hosted a forum on education and health
In 2014, alongside the 2014 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.
June 12, 2015: Bush discusses ISIS and troop deployment in Iraq
On June 12, 2015, George W. Bush stated that "boots on the ground" were needed to defeat ISIS. He also defended his decision to increase troop deployment in Iraq to defeat Al Qaeda, rather than withdrawing them as some suggested.
2015: CNN Poll on Bush
In 2015, CNN polled Bush's favorability, the results of which improved by 9 points by 2018.
2016: Bush Campaigns for Jeb, Expresses Concern Over Republican Party's Direction
In 2016, George W. Bush campaigned for his brother Jeb during the Republican primaries. After Donald Trump won the nomination, Bush expressed concern about the Republican Party's direction and did not endorse Trump, and left his ballot blank during the general election.
2016: Statement on Dallas Police Shooting
In 2016, George W. Bush released a statement regarding the shooting of Dallas police officers, expressing heartbreak and condemning the violence.
January 20, 2017: Bush attends Trump's inauguration
On January 20, 2017, George W. Bush and his wife attended Donald Trump's inauguration. Images of Bush struggling with a rain poncho went viral. Bush allegedly called the ceremony "some weird shit".
February 2017: Bush Releases Book of Veteran Portraits
In February 2017, George W. Bush released "Portraits of Courage", a book featuring his portraits of veterans.
February 2017: Bush Releases 'Portraits of Courage'
In February 2017, George W. Bush released "Portraits of Courage", a book of his paintings of veterans.
September 7, 2017: Bush Partners with Former Presidents for Hurricane Relief
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 victims of Hurricane Harvey and Hurricane Irma.
2017: Improved Public Image
In 2017, George W. Bush's public image saw greater improvement, with a YouGov survey showing 51 percent of favorability from Democrats, indicating a shift in perception across party lines.
September 1, 2018: Bush speaks at John McCain's funeral
On September 1, 2018, George W. Bush attended and spoke at John McCain's funeral at the Washington National Cathedral.
September 2018: Bush Shares Mints with Michelle Obama at McCain Funeral
In September 2018, George W. Bush famously passed mints to Michelle Obama during the funeral of John McCain.
December 2018: Bush Gives Mints to Michelle Obama at his Father's Funeral
In December 2018, George W. Bush gave mints to Michelle Obama again during the funeral of his father.
2018: Favorable View of Bush
In 2018, a CNN poll found that 61 percent of respondents held a favorable view of George W. Bush, an increase of nine points from 2015, suggesting a continued improvement in his public image.
May 2019: Bush Presents Portrait to Roh Moo-hyun's Family
In May 2019, George W. Bush drew a portrait of former South Korean president Roh Moo-hyun to give to his family on the tenth anniversary of Roh's death.
May 2019: Bush Pays Respects to Roh Moo-hyun
In May 2019, George W. Bush visited South Korea to pay respects to former South Korean president Roh Moo-hyun on the tenth anniversary of his death, delivering a short eulogy.
June 1, 2020: Bush Addresses George Floyd's Murder
On June 1, 2020, George W. Bush released a statement addressing the murder of George Floyd and the subsequent protests. He acknowledged racial injustices and called for America to examine its "tragic failures".
2020: Bush declines to endorse or attend Republican National Convention in 2020
In 2020, George W. Bush did not give any endorsements during the presidential election, nor did he attend the Republican National Convention.
January 6, 2021: Bush Denounces U.S. Capitol Attack
On January 6, 2021, George W. Bush condemned the U.S. Capitol attack, calling it an "insurrection" and comparing it to how election results are disputed in a "banana republic".
April 2021: Bush reveals he wrote in Condoleezza Rice for president
In April 2021, George W. Bush told People magazine that he did not vote for either Donald Trump or Joe Biden in the 2020 election, and instead wrote in Condoleezza Rice.
July 14, 2021: Bush reaffirms opposition to troop withdrawal from Afghanistan
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: Bush Commemorates 20th Anniversary of 9/11 Attacks
On September 11, 2021, George W. Bush gave a speech at the Flight 93 National Memorial on the 20th anniversary of the September 11 attacks, praising the heroism of those on Flight 93 and the spirit of America.
2021: C-SPAN's 2021 Historians Survey Ranks Bush as 29th-best president
C-SPAN's 2021 survey of historians ranked George W. Bush as the 29th-best president, after having previously been ranked 36th in 2009.
2023: Estimated Lives Saved by PEPFAR
By 2023, PEPFAR was estimated to have saved over 25 million lives, alleviating the severity of the HIV/AIDS epidemic especially in Sub-Saharan Africa.
2023: Threw First Pitch in World Series
In 2023, George W. Bush threw the first pitch in Game 1 of the World Series.
2023: Value of 2007 Aid
In 2023, the $1.2 billion aid package for Iraq announced on January 10, 2007 was equivalent to $1.8 billion.
July 13, 2024: Bush Condemns Assassination Attempt on Trump
On July 13, 2024, George W. Bush condemned the assassination attempt on former President Trump, calling it "cowardly".
January 20, 2025: Bush attends Trump's second inauguration
On January 20, 2025, George W. Bush and his wife attended Donald Trump's second inauguration.
2082: Veto of H.R. 2082
On March 8, 2008, Bush vetoed H.R. 2082, a bill that would have expanded congressional oversight over the intelligence community and banned the use of waterboarding.
