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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On December 24, 1992, President George H. W. Bush issued full pardons to former Defense Secretary Caspar Weinberger and five other individuals implicated in the Iran–Contra investigation.
President George H. W. Bush joined Canadian Prime Minister Brian Mulroney and Mexican President Carlos Salinas in signing the NAFTA pact in San Antonio, Texas.
The Electoral College met and cast its votes, officially confirming Bill Clinton's victory and awarding George H. W. Bush 168 electoral votes.
U.S. Marines landed in Mogadishu as the initial U.S. deployment under Operation Restore Hope to help secure humanitarian relief operations in Somalia.
On December 3, 1992, the UN Security Council passed Resolution 794 authorizing a U.S.-led unified task force to use "all necessary means" to establish a secure environment for humanitarian relief operations in Somalia.
On the night of November 3, 1992, President George H. W. Bush called Bill Clinton to concede and delivered a public concession acknowledging his defeat and pledging to cooperate in an orderly transition.
On November 3, 1992, major news networks projected Democratic nominee Bill Clinton as the winner of the presidential election, defeating incumbent George H. W. Bush and independent Ross Perot; Clinton carried a decisive Electoral College margin.
Independent candidate Ross Perot publicly announced he was re‑entering the 1992 presidential contest after having withdrawn in July.
On September 11, 1992, President George H. W. Bush declared a federal disaster for the State of Hawaii after Hurricane Iniki struck and caused widespread destruction on the island of Kauai.
Following Hurricane Iniki's landfall on Kauai, President George H. W. Bush declared a major federal disaster for Hawaii to make federal funds and assistance available for recovery.
President George H. W. Bush traveled to South Florida to view damage from Hurricane Andrew, meet with local officials and survivors, and reaffirm federal support for recovery.
After making landfall again in Louisiana on August 26, Hurricane Andrew prompted federal disaster declarations and an expanded FEMA and federal relief effort beyond Florida.