History of George W. Bush in Timeline
George W. Bush, the 43rd U.S. President (2001-2009), is a prominent figure in American politics. Son of President George H.W. Bush, he served as the governor of Texas from 1995 to 2000. His presidency was largely defined by the September 11th terrorist attacks, which led to the launch of the "War on Terror," including military interventions in Afghanistan and Iraq. Other key policy initiatives included education reform through the "No Child Left Behind Act," tax cuts, and debates surrounding social issues. Bush's administration faced criticism regarding its handling of Hurricane Katrina and the financial crisis of 2008.
1935: George H. Mahon held office
In 1935, George H. Mahon began holding the Texas's 19th congressional district seat for the Democratic Party.
July 6, 1946: Birth of George W. Bush
On July 6, 1946, George Walker Bush was born in New Haven, Connecticut, to George Herbert Walker Bush and Barbara Pierce.
July 6, 1946: George W. Bush Born
On July 6, 1946, George Walker Bush was born. He would later become the 43rd President of the United States.
1953: Death of Robin Bush
In 1953, George W. Bush's sister, Robin, passed away from leukemia at the age of three.
1964: Attended Yale University
In 1964, George W. Bush began attending Yale University.
1967: Engaged to Cathryn Lee Wolfman
In 1967, George W. Bush was engaged to Cathryn Lee Wolfman. However, the engagement did not last.
May 1968: Joined U.S. Air Force
In May 1968, George W. Bush joined the United States Air Force and was commissioned into the Texas Air National Guard.
1968: Graduated from Yale University
In 1968, George W. Bush graduated from Yale University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in history.
1972: Drilled with Alabama Air National Guard/Suspended From Flying
In 1972, George W. Bush drilled with the 187th Fighter Wing of the Alabama Air National Guard. He was also suspended from flying for failure to take a scheduled physical exam.
1973: Drilled With the Alabama Air National Guard
In early 1973, George W. Bush drilled with the 187th Fighter Wing of the Alabama Air National Guard.
1973: Enrolled in Harvard Business School
In the fall of 1973, George W. Bush entered Harvard Business School.
November 21, 1974: Honorably Discharged From Air Force Reserve
On November 21, 1974, George W. Bush was honorably discharged from the Air Force Reserve.
1975: Graduated Harvard Business School
In 1975, George W. Bush graduated from Harvard Business School with an M.B.A. degree.
September 4, 1976: Arrested for DUI
On September 4, 1976, George W. Bush was arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol in Kennebunkport, Maine, and was subsequently fined and had his license suspended.
1977: Established Arbusto Energy
In 1977, George W. Bush established Arbusto Energy, a small oil exploration company.
1977: Met and Married Laura Welch
In 1977, George W. Bush met Laura Welch at a backyard barbecue, and they married after a three-month courtship.
1978: Arbusto Energy Operations Begin
In 1978, Arbusto Energy began operations.
1978: Ran 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 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: Ronald Reagan's Vice President
In 1981, George H.W. Bush became Ronald Reagan's vice president.
1984: Company Merged With Spectrum 7
In 1984, George W. Bush's company merged with Spectrum 7, and he became chairman.
1986: Quit Alcohol
In 1986, George W. Bush attributes his decision to give up alcohol 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: Purchased Interest in Texas Rangers
In April 1989, George W. Bush arranged for a group of investors to purchase a controlling interest in the Texas Rangers baseball team and invested himself.
1989: George H. W. Bush as President
In 1989, George H.W. Bush became the 41st president of the United States.
December 1991: Campaign Advisor for Father's Re-election
In December 1991, George W. Bush was named as one of the advisors for his father's 1992 presidential re-election campaign.
1992: Father's Re-election Campaign
In 1992, George W. Bush assisted his father's presidential re-election campaign.
1993: George H. W. Bush Leaves Office
In 1993, George H.W. Bush left office as President of the United States.
1994: Declared Candidacy for Texas Governor
In 1994, George W. Bush declared his candidacy for the Texas gubernatorial election.
1994: Elected Governor of Texas
In 1994, George W. Bush was elected as the governor of Texas.
1995: Governor of Texas
In 1995, George W. Bush became the Governor of Texas.
1997: Senate Disapproval of the Protocol
In 1997, the Senate voted 95-0 expressing its disapproval of the Kyoto Protocol.
1998: Won Re-election as Governor
In 1998, George W. Bush won re-election as governor of Texas with a record 68 percent of the vote.
1998: Sold Shares in Texas Rangers
In 1998, George W. Bush's sale of his shares in the Texas Rangers brought him over $15 million.
1999: Signed 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.
July 25, 2000: Selected 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, George W. Bush portrayed himself as a compassionate conservative while campaigning for president.
2000: Won the 2000 Presidential Election
In 2000, George W. Bush defeated Al Gore in the presidential election after a contested result ultimately decided by the Supreme Court case Bush v. Gore.
2000: End of Texas Governorship
In 2000, George W. Bush's time as the Governor of Texas concluded.
2000: Bush Named Time's Person of the Year
In 2000, Time magazine named George W. Bush as its Person of the Year, a title awarded to someone who the editors believe "has done the most to influence the events of the year".
2000: Federal Government Spending and Revenues
In 2000, federal government spending was $1.789 trillion and revenues were $2.025 trillion.
2000: Fiscal Year Surplus
In fiscal year 2000, the U.S. had a surplus of $237 billion, marking the largest surplus ever.
2000: Considered Potential Presidential Candidate
Throughout George W. Bush's first term as Texas Governor, he was the focus of national attention as a potential future presidential candidate. After re-election, speculation soared, and within a year he decided to seek the 2000 Republican presidential nomination.
January 2001: Unemployment at 4.2%
In January 2001, the unemployment rate was at 4.2%.
February 7, 2001: Shooting Outside the White House
On February 7, 2001, Robert W. Pickett discharged a firearm outside the White House while George W. Bush was inside. Pickett was apprehended after being shot by a Secret Service agent and faced charges related to the incident.
May 2001: Executive Orders to Streamline Energy Projects and Tackle Environmental Issues
In May 2001, George W. 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 on stem cell funding
On August 9, 2001, President Bush signed an executive order that lifted the ban on federal funding for the 71 existing "lines" of stem cells. The ability of these existing lines to provide an adequate medium for testing has been questioned.
September 11, 2001: 9/11 Terrorist Attacks
On September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks occurred.
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.
December 2001: Taliban Defeated
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.
2001: Condoleezza Rice served as national security advisor.
In 2001, Condoleezza Rice began serving as Bush's national security advisor.
2001: President of the United States
In 2001, George W. Bush became the 43rd President of the United States.
2001: Bush Proposes Tax Cut Program
In 2001, George W. Bush proposed a $1.35 trillion tax cut program, arguing that surplus government funds should be returned to taxpayers. Federal Reserve chairman Alan Greenspan warned of a recession.
2001: September 11 Attacks
In 2001, the September 11 attacks occurred, reshaping the Bush administration's focus and leading to the War on Terror and the creation of the Department of Homeland Security.
2001: Bush Enters Office With Dow at 10,587
In 2001, when George W. Bush entered office, the Dow Jones Industrial Average was at 10,587.
2001: Opposition to the Kyoto Protocol
Upon taking office in 2001, George W. Bush stated his opposition to the Kyoto Protocol, citing its exemption of 80% of the world's population and high costs.
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" and "pose[d] a grave and growing danger".
November 2002: UN Weapons Inspectors in Iraq
In November 2002, Hans Blix and Mohamed ElBaradei led UN weapons inspectors in Iraq. The U.S. advised them to depart four days prior to the U.S. invasion, despite their requests for more time.
2002: Bush Proposed the Clear Skies Act
In 2002, George W. 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: No Child Left Behind Act Signed Into Law
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 target more federal funding to low-income schools. The act passed with broad bipartisan support.
January 2003: State of the Union Address
In the State of the Union address in January 2003, President 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
On March 20, 2003, the United States, along with the "coalition of the willing" including the United Kingdom, launched the invasion of Iraq.
April 9, 2003: Fall of Baghdad
On April 9, 2003, the Iraqi capital, Baghdad, fell to U.S. forces.
June 2003: Unemployment at 6.3%
In June 2003, the unemployment rate rose to 6.3%.
2003: Another Tax Cut Passed
By 2003, the economy showed signs of improvement under George W. Bush, and another tax cut was passed.
2003: Medicare Act Signed
Following Republican efforts, George W. Bush signed the Medicare Act of 2003, which included major changes to the Medicare program by providing beneficiaries with assistance in paying for prescription drugs.
2003: Initiated AIDS Relief Plan and Invasion of Iraq
In 2003, Bush initiated the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief and ordered the invasion of Iraq based on claims that Saddam Hussein possessed WMDs and had ties to al-Qaeda.
2003: Increased Regulation of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac
In 2003, the Bush administration pushed for increased regulation of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, but the regulations, after passing the House, died in the Senate.
2003: Clear Skies Act Introduced to Congress
In 2003, the Clear Skies Act was introduced to Congress, but failed to make it out of committee.
May 2004: High Approval Among Republicans
In May 2004, Gallup reported that 89 percent of the Republican electorate approved of President George W. Bush.
December 2004: Approval Rating Below 50 Percent
In December 2004, President Bush's approval rating fell below 50 percent in AP-Ipsos polling, marking the beginning of a steady decline in his approval ratings and approval of his handling of domestic and foreign policy issues.
2004: Bush's Re-election Campaign Strategy
In 2004, George W. Bush sought re-election with broad Republican support, appointing Ken Mehlman as campaign manager and Karl Rove devising the political strategy. The campaign emphasized 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. Bush also proposed a guest worker program for immigrants, which drew criticism.
2004: Re-elected President
In 2004, George W. Bush was re-elected as president, defeating John Kerry.
2004: CIA Leadership Change and Allegations
In 2004, after CIA director George Tenet resigned, George W. Bush nominated Porter Goss to lead the agency. The White House instructed Goss to purge officers deemed disloyal. Many senior CIA agents were subsequently fired or quit. The CIA faced accusations of leaking classified information to undermine the 2004 election.
2004: Strong Support from Military Personnel
In 2004, an unscientific survey indicated strong support for President Bush among the United States armed forces, with 73 percent of military personnel stating they would vote for him in the presidential elections.
2004: Poverty Rate Peaked at 12.7%
In 2004, the poverty rate peaked at 12.7%.
January 2005: Elections in Iraq
In January 2005, Iraq held elections, recognized by the West as free and fair, for the first time in 50 years.
May 10, 2005: Grenade Thrown at Bush During Speech
On May 10, 2005, during a speech given by President Bush in Freedom Square, Vladimir Arutyunian threw a live RGD-5 hand grenade toward the podium. The grenade landed about 61 feet from the podium but did not detonate because it was wrapped in a handkerchief.
June 2005: Released Air National Guard Records
In June 2005, the Department of Defense released all of George W. Bush's Texas Air National Guard service records.
July 2005: Arutyunian Arrested
In July 2005, Vladimir Arutyunian, the individual who threw a grenade at President Bush during a speech in May, was apprehended. During the arrest, Arutyunian killed an Interior Ministry agent.
July 19, 2005: Bush Nominates John Roberts
On July 19, 2005, President Bush nominated federal appellate judge John Roberts to replace Associate Justice Sandra Day O'Connor, who retired on July 1.
September 29, 2005: Roberts Confirmed as Chief Justice
On September 29, 2005, John Roberts was confirmed by the Senate as the next Chief Justice of the United States after Bush withdrew his initial nomination and renominated Roberts following the death of Chief Justice William Rehnquist.
October 3, 2005: Bush Nominates Harriet Miers
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 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: National Strategy for Pandemic Influenza Launched
On November 1, 2005, George W. Bush launched a National Strategy for Pandemic Influenza.
December 2005: Approval Rating
In December 2005, George W. Bush had an approval rating below the 47 percent approval he received in April 2013.
2005: Condoleezza Rice served as secretary of state.
In 2005, Condoleezza Rice began serving as Bush's secretary of state.
2005: Campaigning for Social Security Reform
In 2005, George W. Bush embarked on a national tour, campaigning for his Social Security reform initiative. However, public support declined, and the proposal's prospects were further diminished by the response to Hurricane Katrina.
2005: Bush Outlines Social Security Reform Initiative
In 2005, George W. Bush outlined a major initiative to reform Social Security, which was facing record deficit projections, including partial privatization and personal Social Security accounts. Democrats opposed the proposal.
January 2006: Arutyunian Convicted
In January 2006, Vladimir Arutyunian was convicted for his actions involving the grenade thrown at President Bush in May 2005. He received a life sentence for the crime.
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 as Associate Justice of the Supreme Court, after Harriet Miers withdrew her nomination.
March 2006: Visit to India
In March 2006, George W. Bush visited India, focusing on areas of nuclear energy, counter-terrorism cooperation, and discussions that would eventually lead to the India–United States Civil Nuclear Agreement.
March 2006: Obama's Debt Ceiling Remarks
In March 2006, then-Senator Barack Obama criticized raising the debt limit as a "sign of leadership failure."
May 2006: Implementation Plan for Pandemic Influenza Published
In May 2006, the Homeland Security Council published an implementation plan for the National Strategy for Pandemic Influenza.
July 19, 2006: Veto of Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act
On July 19, 2006, President Bush used his veto power for the first time in his presidency to veto the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act. The bill would have repealed the Dickey–Wicker Amendment, permitting federal money to be used for research where stem cells are derived from the destruction of an embryo.
October 9, 2006: North Korea Nuclear Detonation
On October 9, 2006, North Korea's detonation of a nuclear device complicated President Bush's foreign policy.
October 17, 2006: Signing of the Military Commissions Act of 2006
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 and denying detainees access to habeas corpus.
2006: Northwestern Hawaiian Islands Declared National Monument
In 2006, George W. Bush declared the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands a national monument, creating the largest marine reserve to date, called the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument.
2006: Urging 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: Democrats Regain Control of Congress
In 2006, amid widespread criticism, the Democratic Party regained control of Congress.
2006: Funding for NIH Cut
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
In 2006, most respondents in 18 of 21 countries surveyed around the world were found to hold an unfavorable opinion of Bush, with respondents indicating they judged his administration as negative for world security.
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: America is Addicted to Oil
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 in Iraq
On January 10, 2007, President Bush announced a surge of 21,500 additional troops to Iraq, along with job programs and reconstruction proposals costing $1.2 billion.
January 2007: Launched Troop Surge in Iraq
In January 2007, 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, but would be subjected to judicial oversight.
March 2007: Most Disliked World Leader
A March 2007 survey of public opinion in six Arab nations conducted by Zogby International and the University of Maryland found that Bush was the most disliked world leader.
May 1, 2007: Veto of Troop Withdrawal Deadline
On May 1, 2007, President Bush vetoed a bill that would have set 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, as a result of three-way talks initiated by the United States and including China.
June 2007: Enthusiastic Greeting in Albania
During a June 2007 visit to Albania, President Bush was greeted enthusiastically, with displays of Albanian and American flags, a local street named after him, and a statue of him unveiled.
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, which was written by a bipartisan group of senators with the active participation of the Bush administration.
June 2007: Street Renamed in Tirana, Albania
In June 2007, a street in Tirana, Albania, was renamed after George W. Bush a few days before his first-ever visit to Albania as an American president.
June 28, 2007: Defeat of Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act in Senate
On June 28, 2007, the Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act was defeated in the Senate. Bush expressed disappointment upon the defeat of one of his signature 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 ruling that the NSA electronic surveillance program was unconstitutional, on the grounds that the plaintiffs lacked standing.
July 2007: Unemployment Dropped to 4.5%
In July 2007, the unemployment rate subsequently dropped to 4.5%.
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: Dow Jones Average Peaked
In October 2007, the Dow Jones Industrial Average peaked at over 14,000 during George W. Bush's presidency.
November 2007: Treasury Department Freezes Assets
In November 2007, the U.S. 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: United States Entered Recession
In December 2007, the United States entered the longest post–World War II recession, caused by factors like a housing market correction and soaring oil prices.
2007: Bush Vetoed State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) Legislation
In 2007, George W. Bush opposed and vetoed the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) legislation, viewing it as a move toward socialized healthcare, even though the bill was to expand federally funded healthcare benefits to children of some low-income families.
2007: US Enters Longest Post-World War II Recession
In 2007, the United States entered the longest post-World War II recession. During George W. Bush's presidency, the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, alongside debates on immigration, healthcare, Social Security, economic policy, and treatment of terrorist detainees significantly altered his domestic agenda.
2007: State of the Union Address: Renewable Energy Pledge
In his 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.
2007: Approval Rating Hovered in the Mid-Thirties
Throughout most of 2007, President Bush's approval rating hovered in the mid-thirties; the average for his entire second term was 37 percent, according to Gallup.
February 2008: 63,000 Jobs Were Lost
In February 2008, 63,000 jobs were lost, marking a five-year record during the recession.
March 8, 2008: Veto of H.R. 2082
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 regarding the U.S. Attorney firings.
March 2008: Praise for Iraqi Government's Decision in Basra
In March 2008, President 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 for any president in the 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, George W. Bush signed the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act into law, designed to protect Americans against health insurance and employment discrimination based on genetic information.
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.
June 2008: Call to Congress for Domestic Oil Production
In June 2008, George W. Bush stated that the solution to reduce demand for oil is to promote alternative energy technologies, and called on Congress to expand domestic oil production.
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 initiated the withdrawal of additional American forces.
July 31, 2008: Court Ruling on Congressional Subpoenas
On July 31, 2008, a United States district court judge ruled that President Bush's top advisers were not immune from congressional subpoenas related to the U.S. Attorney firings.
September 2008: Financial Crisis Intensified
In September 2008, the 2008 financial crisis intensified with the federal takeover of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, the bankruptcy of Lehman Brothers, and a federal bailout of American International Group (AIG) for $85 billion.
October 2008: U.S. National Debt Rose to $11.3 Trillion
By October 2008, the U.S. national debt had risen to $11.3 trillion, doubling since 2000, due to tax cuts and increased national security spending.
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 not injured, but White House press secretary Dana Perino sustained a bruise.
December 2008: Shoe-throwing Incident
During President Bush's last visit to Iraq in December 2008, Iraqi journalist Muntadhar al-Zaidi threw his shoes at him during a press conference.
2008: Increase in Federal Spending and Revenue
By 2008, the end of Bush's term, federal government spending increased to $2.983 trillion and revenues increased to $2.524 trillion. Discretionary defense spending increased by 107%, while discretionary domestic spending increased by 62%.
2008: Approval Rating Drops to 19 Percent
By the beginning of 2008, President Bush's final year in office, his approval rating had dropped to a low of just 19 percent, largely due to the loss of support among Republicans.
2008: Handling of the 2008 Financial Crisis
Critics often point to George W. Bush's handling of the 2008 financial crisis, as proof that he was unfit to be president.
2008: Financial Crisis
During the 2008 financial crisis, President Bush's administration initiated economic programs like the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP).
2008: Dow Jones Average at 7,949 when Bush Left Office
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: State of the Union Address: International Clean Energy Fund
In his 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 combat climate change.
2008: Record Low Approval Ratings
In polls conducted in the fall of 2008, President Bush's approval ratings remained at record lows of 19 to 20 percent, while his disapproval ratings ranged from 67 percent to as high as 75 percent.
January 2009: Gallup Favorability Rating
In January 2009, Gallup noted that George W. Bush's favorability rating in public opinion surveys was 40 percent.
March 2009: Gallup Favorability Rating
In March 2009, Gallup noted that George W. Bush's favorability rating in public opinion surveys was 35 percent.
March 2009: First Post-Presidency Speech
In March 2009, George W. Bush delivered his first post-presidency speech in Calgary, Alberta, praising U.S. troops.
September 15, 2009: Al-Zaidi Released from Prison
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 after serving a reduced sentence.
November 5, 2009: Visit to Fort Hood Survivors and Families
Following the Fort Hood shooting on November 5, 2009, George and Laura Bush privately visited the survivors and the victims' families the day after the shooting.
2009: C-SPAN Historians Survey Ranking
In 2009, C-SPAN's survey of historians ranked George W. Bush as the 36th-best president.
2009: End of Rice's term as Secretary of State
In 2009, Condoleezza Rice's term as Bush's Secretary of State ended.
2009: End of Presidential Term
In 2009, George W. Bush concluded his term as the 43rd President of the United States.
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 after the 2010 Haiti earthquake.
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 over 900 false claims over a two-year period about the threat of Iraq.
June 22, 2010: Bush's Statement on North Korea
On June 22, 2010, George W. Bush commented that while South Korea prospers, North Koreans have suffered greatly due to communism.
July 2010: Gallup Favorability Rating
In July 2010, Gallup noted that George W. Bush's favorability rating in public opinion surveys had risen to 45 percent.
September 19, 2010: Offer 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: Memoir "Decision Points" Released
On November 9, 2010, George W. Bush released his memoirs, "Decision Points", discussing his presidency and key decisions.
2010: Attended Rangers Playoff Games
In 2010, George W. Bush attended every home playoff game during the Texas Rangers' season.
2010: Blair Defends Bush's Intelligence
In 2010, Tony Blair defended George W. Bush's intelligence, calling the caricature of Bush as dumb "ludicrous" and affirming that Bush is "very smart."
2010: Siena Research Institute Survey Ranking
In 2010, a Siena Research Institute survey ranked George W. Bush 39th out of 43 presidents, giving him low ratings on the U.S. economy, communication, compromise, foreign policy, and intelligence.
May 2, 2011: Obama Informed Bush of 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.
2011: Disagreement with Obama's Iraq troop withdrawal
In 2011, George W. Bush vocally disagreed with President Obama's decision to withdraw U.S. troops from Iraq, referring to it as a "strategic blunder".
February 2012: Gallup Report on Bush's Ratings
In February 2012, Gallup reported that Americans still rated George W. Bush among the worst presidents, although their views had become more positive since he left office.
2012: Order of the Cross of Terra Mariana Award
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.
April 2013: Approval Rating in Washington Post/ABC Poll
In April 2013, George W. 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.
June 2013: Gallup Poll: More Positive than Negative Ratings
In June 2013, a Gallup poll marked the first time that George W. Bush's ratings were more positive than negative, with 49 percent viewing him favorably compared to 46 percent unfavorably.
August 6, 2013: Successful Treatment for Coronary Artery Blockage
On August 6, 2013, George W. Bush underwent successful treatment for a coronary artery blockage with a stent, discovered during an annual medical examination.
November 19, 2013: Appearance on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno
On November 19, 2013, George W. Bush appeared on NBC's The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, along with his wife Laura, where he stated that he does not publicly comment on the Obama administration because he doesn't think it's good for the country for a former president to criticize his successor.
2013: Bush's Comments on Historical Judgment
In 2013, George W. Bush stated that history would ultimately judge his decisions.
2014: Forum on Education and Health
In 2014, alongside the United States–Africa Leaders Summit, George W. 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. Bush urged African leaders to avoid discriminatory laws that make the treatment of HIV/AIDS more difficult.
2015: CNN Poll Favorability
In 2015, a CNN poll found that 52 percent of respondents held a favorable view of George W. Bush.
2016: Congratulating Trump on his victory
After the 2016 elections, George W. Bush, along with his father and brother Jeb, called Donald Trump to congratulate him on his victory.
2016: Refusal to endorse Trump
In 2016, George W. Bush did not endorse Donald Trump for president and did not attend the Republican National Convention. He reportedly expressed concern about the direction of the Republican Party and did not vote for either Trump or Hillary Clinton in the general election.
2016: Statement on Dallas Police Shooting
In 2016, George W. Bush reacted to the shooting of Dallas police officers, expressing heartbreak and condemning the violence as evil.
January 20, 2017: Attendance at Trump's Inauguration
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.
February 2017: Release of "Portraits of Courage"
In February 2017, George W. Bush released "Portraits of Courage", a book of portraits of veterans. The net proceeds from the book were donated to the George W. Bush Presidential Center.
September 7, 2017: Partnership 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 the victims of Hurricane Harvey and Hurricane Irma in the Gulf Coast and Texas communities.
2017: YouGov Survey Favorability
In 2017, a YouGov survey showed 51 percent favorability from Democrats toward George W. Bush.
September 1, 2018: Remarks at John McCain's Funeral
On September 1, 2018, George W. Bush and his wife attended the funeral of John McCain at the Washington National Cathedral in Washington, D.C. where Bush delivered remarks at the service.
September 2018: Bush and Obama's Friendship Displayed at McCain Funeral
In September 2018, George W. Bush famously passed mints to Michelle Obama during the McCain funeral, highlighting their good-natured friendship.
December 2018: Bush and Obama's Friendship Displayed at George H. W. Bush's Funeral
In December 2018, George W. Bush again gave mints to Michelle Obama during the funeral of his father, further showcasing their friendly relationship.
2018: CNN Poll Favorability
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.
May 2019: Portrait of Roh Moo-hyun
In May 2019, on the tenth anniversary of former South Korean president Roh Moo-hyun's death, George Bush drew a portrait of Roh to give to his family.
May 2019: Visit to South Korea to pay respects to Roh Moo-hyun
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 George Floyd's Murder
On June 1, 2020, George W. Bush released a statement addressing the murder of George Floyd and the subsequent nationwide reaction and protests, expressing anguish and concern over racial injustices.
2020: Non-endorsement in the 2020 presidential election
During the 2020 presidential election, George W. Bush did not give any endorsements, 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 where President Trump was re-nominated.
January 6, 2021: Denouncement of U.S. Capitol Attack
On January 6, 2021, following the U.S. Capitol attack, George W. Bush denounced the violence, comparing it to how election results are disputed in a banana republic.
April 2021: Bush Wrote in Condoleezza Rice on the Ballot
In April 2021, George W. Bush told People magazine that he did not vote for either Donald Trump or Joe Biden in the general election. Instead, he wrote in Condoleezza Rice, who served as his national security advisor from 2001 to 2005 and as his secretary of state from 2005 to 2009.
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 the 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. He had initially been ranked 36th in 2009.
2023: First Pitch at World Series Game 1
George W. Bush threw the first pitch in Game 1 of the 2023 World Series.
July 13, 2024: Condemnation of Assassination Attempt
On July 13, 2024, George W. Bush condemned the assassination attempt on then-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 Donald Trump's second inauguration.
September 10, 2025: Condemnation of Charlie Kirk's Assassination
On September 10, 2025, George W. Bush released a statement condemning the assassination of Charlie Kirk, elaborating on political violence in the United States.
November 17, 2025: Appearance on Monday Night Football
On November 17, 2025, George W. Bush appeared on Monday Night Football with Peyton and Eli Manning, where he discussed his sports fandom, his family, and his career.
November 20, 2025: Attendance at Dick Cheney's Funeral
On November 20, 2025, George W. Bush and his wife attended the funeral of his former vice president Dick Cheney at the Washington National Cathedral in Washington, D.C., where Bush spoke.
Mentioned in this timeline
Donald John Trump is an American politician media personality and...
Bill Clinton served as the nd U S President from...
Barack Obama the th U S President - was the...
Michelle Obama is an American attorney and author best known...
Ukraine is a country in Eastern Europe the second-largest on...
Joseph Robinette Biden Jr served as the th U S...
Trending
22 days ago Byron Buxton trade rumors swirl: Mets, Blue Jays, and Braves interested in outfielder.
13 minutes ago Kelly Pannek's Offensive Prowess Leads Minnesota Frost; Breaks PWHL Record, Wins Season Awards
1 hour ago Astros Win: Walker, Matthews Support Arrighetti in Victory Over Red Sox
2 hours ago Howard Lutnick Faces Congress Amidst Epstein Ties and Island Visit Revelations
3 hours ago Trevor Richards Traded to White Sox: A New Chapter Begins for Pitcher.
4 hours ago Topuria eyes Gaethje clash; brother analyzes Gaethje's fight style, hints at fragility.
Popular
Michael Joseph Jackson the King of Pop was a highly...
Graham Cunningham Platner is an American oyster farmer and Marine...
Rudy Giuliani is an American politician and disbarred lawyer best...
Melania Trump is a Slovenian-American former model who served as...
Elizabeth Warren is a prominent American politician currently serving as...
Paula White-Cain is a prominent American televangelist and key figure...