George H. W. Bush (41st U.S. President)

President Details

President Number: 41
Years in Office: 1989 - 1993
Term Dates: January 20, 1989 – January 20, 1993
Political Party: Republican
Vice President(s): Dan Quayle

Legacy Summary

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.

Notable Actions

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

Timeline Entries

Key highlights and dated events associated with this presidency.

Showing 12 of 136 entries.

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Welcomed collapse of Soviet hard-line coup and urged restoration of constitutional order

August 21, 1991 • George H. W. Bush

Foreign Policy

Welcomed collapse of Soviet hard-line coup and urged restoration of constitutional order

Following the failure of the August 19–21 coup in the Soviet Union, President Bush publicly welcomed the coup's collapse and urged leaders to restore constitutional government and restraint.

White House announced suspension of most high‑level U.S.–Soviet contacts during coup

August 20, 1991 • George H. W. Bush

Executive Action

White House announced suspension of most high‑level U.S.–Soviet contacts during coup

On August 20 the White House announced it would suspend most high‑level contacts with the Soviet government in response to the attempted coup in Moscow.

Condemned hard-line coup attempt in the Soviet Union

August 19, 1991 • George H. W. Bush

Foreign Policy

Condemned hard-line coup attempt in the Soviet Union

Following the August 19 putsch by hard-line Soviet officials in Moscow, President George H. W. Bush issued a public statement condemning the coup and calling for the restoration of Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev's authority.

Signing of the START I Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty in Moscow

July 31, 1991 • George H. W. Bush

Foreign Policy

Signing of the START I Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty in Moscow

President George H. W. Bush and Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev signed the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START I) in Moscow, committing both countries to major reductions in strategic nuclear weapons and establishing verification measures.

Bush meets Gorbachev in Moscow ahead of START I signing

July 30, 1991 • George H. W. Bush

Foreign Policy

Bush meets Gorbachev in Moscow ahead of START I signing

President Bush traveled to Moscow and met Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev for high-level talks to finalize details before the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty signing.

U.S.–Soviet summit in Moscow: Bush meets Gorbachev ahead of START I signing

July 30, 1991 • George H. W. Bush

Foreign Policy

U.S.–Soviet summit in Moscow: Bush meets Gorbachev ahead of START I signing

President George H. W. Bush held bilateral summit talks with Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev in Moscow on July 30, 1991, discussing arms reduction, economic ties, and post–Cold War cooperation.

G7 Summit in London — leaders address global economy and Soviet engagement

July 15, 1991 • George H. W. Bush

Foreign Policy

G7 Summit in London — leaders address global economy and Soviet engagement

At the G7 summit in London, Bush and other world leaders discussed coordination on the global economy and policy toward the Soviet Union amid its political upheaval.

1991 G7 Summit in London — Bush joins leaders to address global economy and Soviet engagement

July 15, 1991 • George H. W. Bush

Foreign Policy

1991 G7 Summit in London — Bush joins leaders to address global economy and Soviet engagement

President George H. W. Bush attended the G7 summit in London (July 15–17), where the leaders coordinated on international economic policy, the Gulf War aftermath, and engagement with the Soviet Union.

Nomination of Clarence Thomas to the U.S. Supreme Court

July 1, 1991 • George H. W. Bush

Judicial

Nomination of Clarence Thomas to the U.S. Supreme Court

President George H. W. Bush nominated Judge Clarence Thomas to the U.S. Supreme Court to succeed the retiring Justice Thurgood Marshall.

Croatia and Slovenia declare independence from Yugoslavia

June 25, 1991 • George H. W. Bush

Foreign Policy

Croatia and Slovenia declare independence from Yugoslavia

Both Croatia and Slovenia proclaimed independence from the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, triggering military clashes with the Yugoslav People's Army.

Mount Pinatubo erupts, triggering evacuation and U.S. disaster response

June 15, 1991 • George H. W. Bush

Crisis Response

Mount Pinatubo erupts, triggering evacuation and U.S. disaster response

A major eruption of Mount Pinatubo on Luzon blanketed Clark Air Base and surrounding communities in ash on June 15, prompting large-scale evacuations of U.S. personnel and families and activation of U.S. military and humanitarian relief operations.

President Bush congratulates Boris Yeltsin on Russian presidential election victory

June 12, 1991 • George H. W. Bush

Foreign Policy

President Bush congratulates Boris Yeltsin on Russian presidential election victory

Bush publicly congratulated Boris Yeltsin on winning Russia's first popular presidential election and signaled U.S. support for the result.

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