George W. Bush served as the 43rd President of the United States from January 20, 2001 to January 20, 2009. A Republican and former governor of Texas, his presidency was shaped by the response to the September 11, 2001 attacks and consequential domestic policies.
Bush's presidency is most widely remembered for the response to the September 11 attacks, the launch of the global War on Terror, and military campaigns in Afghanistan and Iraq. Decisions on intelligence, national security, and counterterrorism had long-lasting international and political effects.
On the domestic front, his administration passed major laws including the No Child Left Behind education reform and the Medicare Part D prescription drug benefit, and he appointed two Supreme Court justices. The 2008 financial crisis and emergency responses also significantly influenced assessments of his record.
Led U.S. response to 9/11 and launched the War on Terror; Ordered U.S. invasions of Afghanistan (2001) and Iraq (2003); Enacted No Child Left Behind education reform (2001); Created Medicare Part D prescription drug benefit (2003); Appointed Chief Justice John Roberts and Justice Samuel Alito; Responded to the 2008 financial crisis, including signing the TARP bailout
Key highlights and dated events associated with this presidency.
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Millions of people in hundreds of cities around the world staged coordinated protests opposing the prospect of a U.S.-led invasion of Iraq.
Secretary of State Colin Powell addressed the United Nations Security Council, presenting U.S. intelligence alleging that Iraq possessed weapons of mass destruction and related programs.
President George W. Bush established an independent Columbia Accident Investigation Board and designated Admiral Harold W. Gehman Jr. to lead the inquiry into the Space Shuttle Columbia disaster.
On February 1, 2003 President George W. Bush delivered a national address from the White House mourning the loss of the Columbia crew and offering the federal government's condolences and support.
During re-entry over Texas, Space Shuttle Columbia broke apart, killing all seven crew members, including mission specialists and the shuttle commander.
Prime Minister Tony Blair traveled to President Bush’s Crawford, Texas ranch on January 31 to confer on the impending crisis over Iraq and coordination of U.S.-U.K. policy.
President George W. Bush delivered the 2003 State of the Union to a joint session of Congress, outlining the case against Saddam Hussein, proposing a major global HIV/AIDS initiative, and setting the administration's domestic and security priorities for 2003.
On January 27, 2003, UN Monitoring, Verification and Inspection Commission (UNMOVIC) chief Hans Blix reported to the UN Security Council that inspectors were active in Iraq but had not yet found decisive evidence of weapons of mass destruction and requested more time to continue inspections.
The Senate confirmed Tom Ridge as the inaugural Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, and he was sworn into office.
On January 10, 2003 North Korea publicly declared its intent to withdraw from the Nuclear Non‑Proliferation Treaty, and the Bush administration condemned the announcement and urged a coordinated international response.
President George W. Bush signed the Homeland Security Act of 2002, establishing the Department of Homeland Security and consolidating numerous federal agencies and functions into a new cabinet-level department.
President Bush attended the NATO summit in Prague where the alliance formally invited Bulgaria, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Romania, Slovakia and Slovenia to begin accession talks.