Lasting Legacy of George W. Bush: A Look at the Influence on History

A detailed timeline of the impact and legacy of George W. Bush across different fields.

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.

Sections (7)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals Legacy & Impact

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.

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".

2001: Condoleezza Rice served as national security advisor.

In 2001, Condoleezza Rice began serving as Bush's national security advisor.

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: 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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: Torching of U.S. Embassy in Belgrade

In February 2008, the U.S. embassy in Belgrade was torched, stemming from troubled U.S. relations with Serbia due to the Bush administration's support for the unilateral declaration of independence of Albanian-majority Kosovo.

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.

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: 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.

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: 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.

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.

Decision Points

Check it on Amazon

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.

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: Foreword for "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, and presented the book at Parkland Memorial Hospital in Dallas, Texas.

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.

2013: Bush's Comments on Historical Judgment

In 2013, George W. Bush stated that history would ultimately judge his decisions.

2015: CNN Poll Favorability

In 2015, a CNN poll found that 52 percent of respondents held a favorable view of George W. Bush.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.