George H. W. Bush was the 41st president of the United States, serving from January 20, 1989, to January 20, 1993. A Republican and former vice president under Ronald Reagan, he led U.S. foreign policy through the end of the Cold War and the Gulf War.
Bush’s presidency is remembered chiefly for its foreign policy: he guided U.S. diplomacy during the collapse of the Soviet bloc, helped manage German reunification, and assembled an international coalition that liberated Kuwait in the 1990–91 Gulf War.
On the domestic front he signed major laws including the Americans with Disabilities Act and the 1990 Clean Air Act amendments, but his acceptance of a 1990 budget deal that raised taxes despite a campaign pledge hurt his political standing and contributed to his 1992 reelection defeat.
Led international coalition in the 1990–91 Gulf War to liberate Kuwait; Guided U.S. diplomacy during the end of the Cold War and German reunification; Signed the Americans with Disabilities Act into law (1990); Signed the Clean Air Act Amendments (1990); Agreed to a 1990 budget deal that included tax increases despite a campaign pledge
Key highlights and dated events associated with this presidency.
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President George H. W. Bush delivered the annual State of the Union to a joint session of Congress, outlining his administration's priorities on the economy, deficit reduction, and foreign policy for 1990.
After surrendering to U.S. forces in Panama, former Panamanian leader Manuel Noriega was transferred to the United States and arraigned in Miami on drug‑trafficking and related charges.
Deposed Panamanian leader Manuel Noriega surrendered to U.S. authorities on January 3, 1990, following the U.S. invasion of Panama (Operation Just Cause).
On December 29, dissident playwright Václav Havel was elected president by the Czechoslovak Federal Assembly following the Velvet Revolution.
Nicolae Ceaușescu and his wife Elena were executed on December 25 after a summary trial following their overthrow in Romania's December revolution.
President Bush ordered U.S. forces into Panama on December 20, launching Operation Just Cause to oust military leader Manuel Noriega and secure U.S. personnel and facilities.
President George H. W. Bush met Soviet General Secretary Mikhail Gorbachev in a two-day summit off Malta (Dec 2–3) to discuss arms reductions and post–Cold War cooperation.
On November 9, 1989, following the opening of the Berlin Wall, President George H. W. Bush issued a public statement welcoming the development and urging it be handled peacefully and responsibly.
After the 6.9‑magnitude Loma Prieta earthquake struck the San Francisco Bay Area on October 17, President George H. W. Bush declared a major federal disaster and ordered federal assistance to support state and local relief efforts.
After Hurricane Hugo struck the U.S. mainland near Charleston, South Carolina, on September 22, 1989, President George H. W. Bush declared a major federal disaster and approved federal assistance for affected areas.
President George H. W. Bush signed FIRREA, a wide-ranging law that overhauled regulation of savings and loan institutions, abolished the Federal Savings and Loan Insurance Corporation (FSLIC), and created the Resolution Trust Corporation (RTC).
On August 8, 1989, NASA launched Space Shuttle Atlantis on STS-28, a mission that carried a classified Department of Defense payload into orbit.