George H.W. Bush
41st President of the United States
under the Constitution of 1787
George Herbert Walker Bush was inaugurated as the 41st President of the United States on January 20, 1989. Before serving as Ronald Reagan's Vice President, Bush had built a formidable resume, holding several key positions in public service. His election as President marked the first time since Martin Van Buren in 1836 that a sitting vice president ascended to the presidency through election. However, anti-incumbent sentiment, economic challenges, and rising unemployment plagued his administration, and these issues contributed significantly to his defeat in the 1992 election. He received only 38% of the popular vote, the lowest for an incumbent since William H. Taft in 1912. Bush’s public image faced challenges, with some critics labeling his persona as that of a “wimp,” though others saw him as a dignified leader with deep foreign policy knowledge.
Born in Milton, Massachusetts, on June 12, 1924, George Bush was the second of five children of Prescott Sheldon Bush, a prominent banker and U.S. Senator from Connecticut, and Dorothy Walker Bush. Growing up in Greenwich, Connecticut, Bush attended private schools, including the Greenwich Country Day School and Phillips Academy in Andover, Massachusetts. He was popular and determined as a student. At age 18, following the attack on Pearl Harbor, he enlisted in the Navy, becoming the youngest pilot in the Navy upon earning his wings at age 20. During World War II, he flew carrier-based aircraft in the Pacific, where he was shot down by Japanese anti-aircraft fire. For his bravery, he received the Distinguished Flying Cross and three Air Medals before his honorable discharge in 1945.
That same year, he married Barbara Pierce, with whom he would raise six children, including future President George W. Bush. Bush enrolled at Yale University, where he joined the elite Skull and Bones society and graduated in 1948 with honors in economics after completing his studies in just three years. Following graduation, he moved his family to Texas to begin a career in the oil industry. After working in the West Texas oil fields for Dresser Industries, he co-founded the Bush-Overby Development Company, trading in oil leases and royalties, and later became president of the Zapata Offshore Company in 1954.
Bush’s career in politics began with local Republican involvement in Houston. After an unsuccessful Senate bid in 1964, he was elected in 1966 as the first Republican to represent Houston in the House of Representatives, where he served two terms. In Congress, Bush took some liberal stances, supporting voting rights for 18-year-olds and abolishing the military draft. Despite local opposition, he voted in favor of the Civil Rights Act of 1968. He left the House in 1970 for another Senate run but lost to Democrat Lloyd Bentsen, though his efforts won him the favor of President Richard Nixon, who appointed him Ambassador to the United Nations. His career then took him to leadership roles as Chairman of the Republican National Committee, Chief of the U.S. Liaison Office in China, and Director of the CIA. His tenure at the CIA was marked by efforts to rebuild morale and integrity following scandals, and the Senate confirmed his position only under the agreement that he would not be chosen as Ford’s running mate in 1976.
Bush left the CIA in 1977 after Jimmy Carter’s presidential win and began his pursuit of the 1980 Republican presidential nomination. Although he performed well in some primaries, Ronald Reagan’s popularity prevailed. After Bush withdrew, he was selected as Reagan’s running mate, a choice praised for Bush’s comparative youth, experience, and appeal to moderates. The Reagan-Bush ticket won in a landslide over Jimmy Carter, with Bush bringing stability and loyalty to the administration as Vice President. Throughout his two terms, he chaired various task forces on deregulation, combating terrorism, and drug control. Reagan valued Bush’s adaptability to conservative policies, and they won re-election in 1984 with a historic 525 electoral votes. Bush became the first acting president when Reagan underwent surgery in 1985.
Bush formally announced his bid for the presidency on October 12, 1987. Though his campaign initially faced obstacles, including the Iran-Contra scandal and perceptions of him as lacking toughness, he gained momentum after a strong showing in early primaries. He secured the Republican nomination and selected Indiana Senator Dan Quayle as his running mate. Despite trailing Democratic candidate Michael Dukakis in early polls, Bush’s campaign targeted Dukakis as overly liberal and capitalized on Reagan’s popularity, leading to his victory as the first sitting vice president to win the presidency since 1836.
As President, Bush’s administration faced significant domestic and international challenges. Known for his cautious domestic approach, Bush nevertheless appointed a record number of women to federal posts, including Elizabeth Dole as Secretary of Labor. Internationally, he acted decisively, negotiating a nuclear arms reduction treaty with Russia and ordering U.S. troops to Panama to oust dictator Manuel Noriega. His administration’s defining foreign policy test came when Iraqi President Saddam Hussein invaded Kuwait in August 1990. Bush rallied global support, imposed sanctions on Iraq, and led a coalition in Operation Desert Storm, a swift military campaign that expelled Iraqi forces from Kuwait. His popularity surged following the victory.
However, on the home front, Bush struggled with economic stagnation. His administration faced criticism for not fulfilling his “Read my lips: no new taxes” campaign pledge, as Bush was forced to negotiate a deficit reduction bill that included tax increases to curb the budget deficit. This decision, combined with a lingering recession and budget cuts, led to a drop in his popularity. Domestic programs such as housing and health services saw reductions, and Bush vetoed the Civil Rights Act of 1990 due to concerns about hiring quotas. Still, he championed clean air reforms, expanded the Head Start program, and sought immigration reform.
By the 1992 election, Bush’s approval ratings had fallen, and he faced a tough primary challenge from conservative Patrick Buchanan, though he secured the Republican nomination. However, the general election against Democrat Bill Clinton and independent Ross Perot proved difficult. Criticized as out of touch, Bush’s campaign struggled against Clinton’s focus on the economy. The Bush-Quayle ticket lost to Clinton-Gore, with Bush garnering only 38% of the vote.
In his final days in office, Bush remained active in foreign policy, sending troops to Somalia to assist with humanitarian relief and signing an arms reduction treaty with Russian President Boris Yeltsin. Bush retired with a reputation for dignified service, espousing traditional values and envisioning the United States as “a kinder, gentler nation.” His legacy includes a moderate approach to conservative governance, successful foreign interventions, and a pragmatic, if sometimes unpopular, approach to domestic issues.
After leaving office, he retired from active political life but remained influential, dedicating himself to public service, charity work, and diplomacy, and witnessing the political rise of his sons, George W. Bush and Jeb Bush.
After his defeat by Bill Clinton in the 1992 presidential election, Bush returned to private life with his wife, Barbara, splitting their time between Houston, Texas, and their beloved family home in Kennebunkport, Maine. Though he largely stayed out of the political spotlight, Bush occasionally spoke on issues he felt strongly about, including American unity and global diplomacy. His political legacy grew through the success of his son, George W. Bush, who became the 43rd president of the United States in 2001. Bush was only the second U.S. president (after John Adams) to witness his son’s election to the presidency, marking a rare political dynasty in American history.
Bush’s post-presidency was marked by his dedication to philanthropy and humanitarian causes. In 2005, following the devastation of Hurricane Katrina, Bush and former President Bill Clinton joined forces to lead relief efforts, creating the Bush-Clinton Katrina Fund. This partnership symbolized a striking moment of bipartisan unity and mutual respect between two former political rivals. The pair continued their humanitarian work together, establishing the Clinton Bush Haiti Fund in 2010 to provide aid after the catastrophic earthquake in Haiti. Bush’s friendship with Clinton became well-known, and the two often referred to each other warmly as family.
In addition to his philanthropic work, Bush continued to participate in public life. He threw out the first pitch at baseball games, celebrated birthdays by skydiving even into his 90s, and attended events recognizing his public service legacy. He stayed active as an elder statesman, occasionally speaking on world events and advocating for volunteerism. Bush’s health gradually declined in his later years; he was diagnosed with vascular parkinsonism, a condition similar to Parkinson’s disease that affected his mobility, though he continued to make public appearances in a wheelchair.
The Bush family experienced personal losses during this period as well. Barbara Bush, his wife of 73 years and a stalwart partner throughout his political career, passed away in April 2018. Her death deeply affected him, but he attended her funeral, honoring her memory alongside family and friends. George H.W. Bush’s own health took a turn after Barbara’s passing, and he was hospitalized for various illnesses throughout his final years.
George H.W. Bush passed away on November 30, 2018, at his home in Houston at the age of 94. His passing marked the end of a significant era in American politics, and tributes poured in from around the world. He was remembered for his dignity, his dedication to public service, and his leadership in both domestic and international arenas. A state funeral was held on December 5, attended by all living presidents, world leaders, dignitaries, and his family. Eulogies from his son, George W. Bush, and former Canadian Prime Minister Brian Mulroney highlighted his humility, patriotism, and commitment to fostering a “kinder, gentler nation.”
George H.W. Bush was laid to rest alongside Barbara and their daughter Robin, who had passed away from leukemia as a young child, at the George H.W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum in College Station, Texas. His legacy endures through his contributions to diplomacy, his family’s continued involvement in public service, and his efforts to bridge partisan divides in pursuit of national unity and global peace.
Bush is remembered not only as a statesman but as a man of integrity and compassion, whose life was devoted to service and whose humility and kindness left a lasting impact on those who knew him and on the country he served.
Barbara Pierce Bush
(1925–2018)
Barbara Pierce Bush (1925–2018), former First Lady of the United States and wife of the 41st president, George H.W. Bush, was known for her warmth, wit, and commitment to family and public service. She was born on June 8, 1925, in Rye, New York, into a prominent family. Her father, Marvin Pierce, was the president of McCall Corporation, which published popular magazines such as Redbook and McCall’s. Her mother, Pauline Robinson Pierce, instilled strong values in Barbara, including a sense of civic responsibility and resilience.
Barbara grew up in Rye, New York, where she attended the prestigious Rye Country Day School and later the Ashley Hall boarding school in Charleston, South Carolina. She met George Herbert Walker Bush at age 16 at a Christmas dance during a vacation in Connecticut. The two formed an instant connection, and after a year and a half of courtship, they became engaged shortly before George enlisted in the Navy to serve in World War II. They were married on January 6, 1945, when George returned from his service as a Navy pilot, making theirs the longest marriage of any first couple in U.S. history.
The Bushes began their family life in various parts of the country, as George attended Yale University, and then embarked on a career in the Texas oil industry. Together, they had six children: George W. Bush, Pauline Robinson (“Robin”) Bush, John Ellis (“Jeb”) Bush, Neil Mallon Bush, Marvin Pierce Bush, and Dorothy “Doro” Bush Koch. Tragically, their daughter Robin passed away from leukemia in 1953 at the age of three, an event that deeply affected Barbara. This loss brought the Bush family closer and strengthened Barbara’s commitment to family and children’s welfare.
Barbara was a steadfast supporter of her husband’s political career, which began with his election to the U.S. House of Representatives from Texas. As George’s career progressed, Barbara adapted to each new role, from the wife of a congressman to the spouse of a U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, and later, the wife of the CIA Director. Her charm, warmth, and down-to-earth nature earned her respect and admiration across the political spectrum, and her unfailing support helped ground her husband throughout his ascent to the vice presidency under Ronald Reagan in 1981.
When George H.W. Bush became the 41st president of the United States in 1989, Barbara Bush embraced her role as First Lady with an unwavering focus on family, education, and literacy. Her candidness, quick wit, and signature white hair became defining elements of her public image, and she quickly became one of the most popular First Ladies in recent history. A fierce advocate for children’s literacy, Barbara believed in the power of reading as a means to lift families out of poverty and increase opportunity. In 1989, she founded the Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy, which provided grants to literacy programs across the country. Her initiative emphasized not only children’s literacy but also adult education, aiming to break cycles of poverty and improve family stability.
Known for her straightforward style, Barbara famously described her role as a “silent partner” in her husband’s political life, though her influence and counsel were widely recognized. She held strong opinions but avoided meddling in policy debates, focusing instead on social issues such as volunteerism, AIDS awareness, and civil rights. In a 1990 commencement speech at Wellesley College, she encouraged graduates to prioritize family and community alongside career ambitions, offering wisdom that resonated across generations.
After George H.W. Bush left office in 1993, Barbara remained active in public life, supporting numerous charities and causes. She published two memoirs: Barbara Bush: A Memoir (1994) and Reflections (2003), both of which offered insights into her life, values, and her experiences as First Lady and matriarch of a prominent American family. In her later years, Barbara continued her literacy work and supported her sons’ political careers, especially during George W. Bush’s presidency (2001–2009) and Jeb Bush’s tenure as Florida governor and later presidential candidate. Though she remained a respected figure in the Republican Party, she was known for her independence and occasionally voiced critical opinions on modern political trends, including her ambivalence about further Bush family involvement in presidential politics.
In her final years, Barbara Bush battled chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and congestive heart failure. Despite her health struggles, she remained active and outspoken, spending time with her family and participating in public events when possible. She was known for her strong, pragmatic outlook, which guided her throughout life and helped her approach her declining health with dignity and humor.
Barbara Bush passed away on April 17, 2018, at her home in Houston, Texas, surrounded by family. Her passing was widely mourned, with tributes highlighting her strength, compassion, and lifelong dedication to her family and country. Barbara was remembered as a beloved First Lady, a staunch advocate for literacy, and a symbol of resilience and grace. Her legacy endures through the Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy and in the lives she touched through her work and her example.
For students and teachers of U.S. history, this video features Stanley and Christopher Klos presenting America's Four United Republics Curriculum at the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School. Filmed in December 2015, this video is an informal recording by an audience member capturing a presentation attended by approximately 200 students, professors, and guests. To explore the full curriculum, [download it here].
September 5, 1774 | October 22, 1774 | |
October 22, 1774 | October 26, 1774 | |
May 20, 1775 | May 24, 1775 | |
May 25, 1775 | July 1, 1776 |
July 2, 1776 to February 28, 1781
July 2, 1776 | October 29, 1777 | |
November 1, 1777 | December 9, 1778 | |
December 10, 1778 | September 28, 1779 | |
September 29, 1779 | February 28, 1781 |
March 1, 1781 to March 3, 1789
March 1, 1781 | July 6, 1781 | |
July 10, 1781 | Declined Office | |
July 10, 1781 | November 4, 1781 | |
November 5, 1781 | November 3, 1782 | |
November 4, 1782 | November 2, 1783 | |
November 3, 1783 | June 3, 1784 | |
November 30, 1784 | November 22, 1785 | |
November 23, 1785 | June 5, 1786 | |
June 6, 1786 | February 1, 1787 | |
February 2, 1787 | January 21, 1788 | |
January 22, 1788 | January 21, 1789 |
United States in Congress Assembled (USCA) Sessions
USCA | Session Dates | USCA Convene Date | President(s) |
First | 03-01-1781 to 11-04-1781* | 03-02-1781 | |
Second | 11-05-1781 to 11-03-1782 | 11-05-1781 | |
Third | 11-04-1782 to 11-02-1783 | 11-04-1782 | |
Fourth | 11-03-1783 to 10-31-1784 | 11-03-1783 | |
Fifth | 11-01-1784 to 11-06-1785 | 11-29-1784 | |
Sixth | 11-07-1785 to 11-05-1786 | 11-23-1785 | |
Seventh | 11-06-1786 to 11-04-1787 | 02-02-1787 | |
Eighth | 11-05-1787 to 11-02-1788 | 01-21-1788 | |
Ninth | 11-03-1788 to 03-03-1789** | None | None |
* The Articles of Confederation was ratified by the mandated 13th State on February 2, 1781, and the dated adopted by the Continental Congress to commence the new United States in Congress Assembled government was March 1, 1781. The USCA convened under the Articles of Confederation Constitution on March 2, 1781.** On September 14, 1788, the Eighth United States in Congress Assembled resolved that March 4th, 1789, would be commencement date of the Constitution of 1787's federal government thus dissolving the USCA on March 3rd, 1789.
Philadelphia | Sept. 5, 1774 to Oct. 24, 1774 | |
Philadelphia | May 10, 1775 to Dec. 12, 1776 | |
Baltimore | Dec. 20, 1776 to Feb. 27, 1777 | |
Philadelphia | March 4, 1777 to Sept. 18, 1777 | |
Lancaster | September 27, 1777 | |
York | Sept. 30, 1777 to June 27, 1778 | |
Philadelphia | July 2, 1778 to June 21, 1783 | |
Princeton | June 30, 1783 to Nov. 4, 1783 | |
Annapolis | Nov. 26, 1783 to Aug. 19, 1784 | |
Trenton | Nov. 1, 1784 to Dec. 24, 1784 | |
New York City | Jan. 11, 1785 to Nov. 13, 1788 | |
New York City | October 6, 1788 to March 3,1789 | |
New York City | March 3,1789 to August 12, 1790 | |
Philadelphia | Dec. 6,1790 to May 14, 1800 | |
Washington DC | November 17,1800 to Present |
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Dr. Naomi and Stanley Yavneh Klos, Principals
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