George W. Bush, the 43rd President of the United States, served from 2001 to 2009, leading the country through some of its most defining moments of the early 21st century.
Born into a prominent political family, he grew up in Texas and built a career in business and politics before becoming Governor of Texas in 1995.
His presidency was shaped by the September 11 attacks, the War on Terror, and the controversial invasion of Iraq, as well as domestic challenges such as Hurricane Katrina and the 2008 financial crisis.
Despite facing criticism for his policies, Bush remained a two-term president and left office with a complex legacy.
This timeline outlines the key events in Bush’s life, from his early years and governorship to his presidency and post-White House career.
| July 6, 1946 | Born in New Haven, Connecticut, to George H.W. Bush and Barbara Bush. |
| 1959 | Family moves to Houston, Texas. |
| 1961–1964 | Attends Phillips Academy in Andover, Massachusetts. |
| 1964–1968 | Attends Yale University, earning a degree in history. |
| 1968 | Joins the Texas Air National Guard during the Vietnam War. |
| 1973–1975 | Earns an MBA from Harvard Business School. |
| 1977 | Marries Laura Welch. |
| 1978 | Runs for U.S. Congress in Texas but loses to Kent Hance. |
| 1986 | Stops drinking alcohol and becomes a born-again Christian. |
| 1988 | Campaigns for his father, George H.W. Bush, in the presidential election. |
| 1989–1994 | Co-owner of the Texas Rangers baseball team. |
| November 8, 1994 | Elected Governor of Texas, defeating Ann Richards. |
| January 17, 1995 | Sworn in as Governor of Texas. |
| November 3, 1998 | Re-elected in a landslide victory. |
| November 7, 2000 | Wins a controversial presidential election against Al Gore, despite losing the popular vote. |
| December 12, 2000 | Supreme Court rules in Bush v. Gore, effectively awarding Bush the presidency. |
| January 20, 2001 | Inaugurated as the 43rd President of the United States. |
| September 11, 2001 | Terrorist attacks on the U.S. lead to the War on Terror. |
| October 7, 2001 | U.S. launches war in Afghanistan to dismantle al-Qaeda and remove the Taliban from power. |
| March 19, 2003 | U.S. invades Iraq, citing the threat of weapons of mass destruction (WMDs). |
| December 13, 2003 | Saddam Hussein captured in Iraq. |
| November 2, 2004 | Re-elected, defeating John Kerry. |
| August 29, 2005 | Hurricane Katrina devastates New Orleans; criticized for slow response. |
| November 2006 | Democrats win control of Congress in midterm elections. |
| December 30, 2006 | Saddam Hussein executed. |
| September 2008 | Financial crisis leads to the Great Recession. |
| October 3, 2008 | Signs the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP) to bail out financial institutions. |
| January 20, 2009 | Leaves office; Barack Obama inaugurated as 44th President. |
| 2010 | Publishes memoir Decision Points. |
| 2013 | Opens George W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum. |
| 2021 | Criticizes the January 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol. |
| 2023–Present | Focuses on painting, philanthropy, and veterans’ issues. |
Timeline of George W. Bush
July 6, 1946 Born in New Haven, Connecticut, to George H.W. Bush and Barbara Bush
George Walker Bush was born in New Haven, Connecticut, as the first child of George H.W. Bush and Barbara Bush. His father was a future U.S. president, and his family had deep political and financial ties. Shortly after his birth, the Bush family moved to Texas, where his father pursued a career in the oil industry.
1959 Family moves to Houston, Texas
As the Bush family grew, they relocated to Houston, Texas. This move marked the beginning of George W. Bush’s strong connection to Texas, where he would later build his political career. He spent his formative years here, developing an affinity for sports and leadership.
Also Read: George W. Bush Accomplishments
1961–1964 Attends Phillips Academy in Andover, Massachusetts
Bush attended Phillips Academy, a prestigious prep school in Massachusetts. While at Andover, he was an average student but stood out as a cheerleader and a baseball player. His time at Andover shaped his disciplined approach to leadership, though he was not considered an academic standout.
1964–1968 Attends Yale University, earning a degree in history
Following in the footsteps of his father and grandfather, Bush attended Yale University. He majored in history and was a member of the Skull and Bones secret society, a group known for its elite membership. While not excelling academically, he was active in campus life, including serving as the head cheerleader.
Also Read: George W. Bush Facts
1968 Joins the Texas Air National Guard during the Vietnam War
After graduating from Yale, Bush enlisted in the Texas Air National Guard, training as a fighter pilot. His military service was controversial later in life, as questions arose regarding whether he fulfilled his full service obligations. Nonetheless, he was honorably discharged in 1974.
1973–1975 Earns an MBA from Harvard Business School
Bush pursued a Master of Business Administration (MBA) at Harvard Business School, becoming the first U.S. president to hold an MBA. His time at Harvard introduced him to the world of business and finance, skills that later shaped his approach to governance.
1977 Marries Laura Welch
In 1977, George W. Bush met and quickly married Laura Welch, a school librarian from Texas. Their marriage was a turning point in his life, providing stability and support as he moved through his business and political career. They later had twin daughters, Jenna and Barbara.
1978 Runs for U.S. Congress in Texas but loses to Kent Hance
Bush made his first foray into politics by running for a congressional seat in Texas. His opponent, Kent Hance, portrayed him as an out-of-touch Ivy League elitist, leading to Bush’s defeat. This loss shaped his future political strategy, making him more relatable to Texas voters.
1986 Stops drinking alcohol and becomes a born-again Christian
After years of heavy drinking, Bush made the decision to quit alcohol entirely on his 40th birthday. He credited his faith and the influence of evangelist Billy Graham for helping him make this life-changing decision. His newfound Christianity became central to his identity and political appeal.
1988 Campaigns for his father, George H.W. Bush, in the presidential election
Bush played an active role in his father’s successful 1988 presidential campaign, helping to mobilize key Republican voters. This experience introduced him to national politics and strengthened his connections within the party.
1989–1994 Co-owner of the Texas Rangers baseball team
Bush invested in the Texas Rangers baseball team, becoming a co-owner and serving as the team’s public face. His time with the Rangers helped him develop a down-to-earth image that later benefited his political career. Under his leadership, the team secured a new stadium deal and gained popularity.
November 8, 1994 Elected Governor of Texas, defeating Ann Richards
In a stunning upset, Bush defeated Democratic incumbent Ann Richards to become Governor of Texas. His campaign focused on education reform, crime reduction, and a business-friendly economic approach. His victory marked the beginning of his rapid ascent in Republican politics.
January 17, 1995 Sworn in as Governor of Texas
Bush officially took office as Texas governor, emphasizing bipartisanship and conservative values. His tenure was marked by education reforms, tax cuts, and a focus on tough crime policies. He quickly gained national recognition as a rising Republican leader.
November 3, 1998 Re-elected in a landslide victory
After a successful first term, Bush was overwhelmingly re-elected as Texas governor. His leadership style, which combined pragmatism with strong conservative values, made him a leading contender for the presidency.
November 7, 2000 Wins a controversial presidential election against Al Gore
Bush ran for president against Democratic nominee Al Gore in one of the closest elections in U.S. history. The outcome hinged on Florida’s electoral votes, leading to weeks of legal battles. Despite losing the popular vote, Bush was declared the winner after a Supreme Court ruling.
December 12, 2000 Supreme Court rules in Bush v. Gore, effectively awarding Bush the presidency
The Supreme Court’s decision in Bush v. Gore halted a Florida recount, ensuring Bush’s victory. The ruling remains one of the most controversial in American political history.
January 20, 2001 Inaugurated as the 43rd President of the United States
George W. Bush was sworn in as president, marking the beginning of his administration. His inaugural speech emphasized unity, compassion, and a promise to restore integrity to the White House.
September 11, 2001 Terrorist attacks on the U.S. lead to the War on Terror
The 9/11 attacks dramatically reshaped Bush’s presidency. In response, he launched the War on Terror, vowing to combat global terrorism and prevent future attacks. The attacks led to widespread security reforms, including the creation of the Department of Homeland Security.
October 7, 2001 U.S. launches war in Afghanistan to dismantle al-Qaeda and remove the Taliban from power
In response to 9/11, Bush ordered the invasion of Afghanistan to target al-Qaeda and overthrow the Taliban regime. The war initially succeeded in removing the Taliban, but the conflict became prolonged.
March 19, 2003 U.S. invades Iraq, citing the threat of weapons of mass destruction (WMDs)
The Bush administration justified the Iraq invasion by alleging that Saddam Hussein possessed WMDs. No significant stockpiles were found, leading to criticism of the war’s rationale.
December 13, 2003 Saddam Hussein captured in Iraq
U.S. forces captured Saddam Hussein, marking a significant milestone in the Iraq War. His capture was seen as a victory for the Bush administration, though the war continued.
November 2, 2004 Re-elected, defeating John Kerry
Bush won re-election against Democrat John Kerry, largely due to his leadership on national security and strong support from conservative voters.
August 29, 2005 Hurricane Katrina devastates New Orleans; criticized for slow response
Hurricane Katrina caused widespread destruction in New Orleans. The federal government’s slow response was widely criticized, damaging Bush’s approval ratings.
November 2006 Democrats win control of Congress in midterm elections
Widespread dissatisfaction with the Iraq War and Bush’s policies led to a Democratic takeover of Congress. This loss limited Bush’s ability to push his legislative agenda.
December 30, 2006 Saddam Hussein executed
Saddam Hussein was executed by the Iraqi government. The event marked the end of an era in Iraq, though the conflict remained unresolved.
September 2008 Financial crisis leads to the Great Recession
The U.S. faced a major financial crisis, leading to economic collapse and widespread unemployment. Bush’s administration responded with large-scale bailouts.
October 3, 2008 Signs the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP) to bail out financial institutions
Bush signed the TARP bill, allocating billions to rescue failing banks. The bailout was controversial but credited with preventing a deeper economic collapse.
January 20, 2009 Leaves office; Barack Obama inaugurated as 44th President
Bush left office with low approval ratings, overshadowed by the financial crisis and the Iraq War. He retired to Texas, focusing on philanthropy and writing.
2010 Publishes memoir Decision Points
Bush released Decision Points, a memoir offering insight into his presidency and major decisions.
2013 Opens George W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum
His presidential library opened in Texas, preserving his legacy and records.
2021 Criticizes the January 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol
Bush condemned the attack, calling it a threat to democracy.
2023–Present Focuses on painting, philanthropy, and veterans’ issues
Bush spends his post-presidency painting and supporting veterans, maintaining a relatively low political profile.