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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Robert Stevens, a photo editor in Florida, died on October 5, 2001, becoming the first confirmed fatality of the 2001 anthrax letter attacks.
The United Nations Security Council unanimously adopted Resolution 1373, imposing binding obligations on member states to prevent terrorist financing, cooperate on intelligence, and strengthen border and law-enforcement measures.
Bush signed an executive order authorizing the blocking of property and prohibiting transactions with individuals and organizations who committed, threatened to commit, or supported terrorism.
President George W. Bush signed the Air Transportation Safety and System Stabilization Act, providing federal financial assistance to the airline industry and establishing a mechanism to compensate victims of the September 11 attacks.
In a prime-time address to a joint session of Congress and the nation, Bush demanded that the Taliban turn over al-Qaeda leaders and framed the U.S. response as a global 'war on terror.'
President Bush signed into law a congressional joint resolution authorizing the use of U.S. armed forces against those responsible for the September 11 attacks.
The New York Stock Exchange and NASDAQ reopened for trading on September 17 after being closed following the September 11 terrorist attacks.
President Bush proclaimed September 14, 2001 a National Day of Prayer and Remembrance for the victims of the September 11 terrorist attacks.
Bush traveled to New York City to meet rescue workers at the World Trade Center site and spoke to rescuers, famously using a bullhorn to address the crowd.
On September 12 NATO invoked Article 5 of the Washington Treaty, declaring that the attacks on the United States were considered an attack on all NATO members.
That evening President Bush spoke from the White House, condemning the terrorist attacks, expressing solidarity with victims, and vowing to find and punish those responsible.
In the hours after the hijackings, the FAA issued an emergency order grounding all civilian aircraft and directing planes to land at the nearest airports.