The Peabody Award‑winning series profiling the men who have served as chief executive of the United States.

George BushView Program

41st President - George Bush
Born: June 12, 1924
Died: November 30, 2018

  • Personal
  • First Lady: Barbara Pierce Bush
  • Children: 2
  • Education Level: College
  • School Attended: Yale University
  • Profession: Military, Business
  • Military Service: Lieutenant (junior)
  • Public Service
  • Dates of Presidency: January 20, 1989 - January 20, 1993
  • # of Terms: 1
  • Vice President: Dan Quayle
  • Party: Republican
  • Vice President For: Ronald Reagan (1981-1989)
  • House of Representatives: Texas (1967-1971)
  • Other Offices: Ambassador to the United Nations; Chairman of the Republican National Committee; Chief US Liaison in China; Director of the CIA
  • Did You Know?
  • George Bush is the second president whose son became president.
  • At age eighteen, he was the youngest pilot to see action in World War II and was awarded the Flying Cross Award for heroism.
  • He presided over the American invasion of Panama.
  • He presided over Operation Desert Storm in Kuwait.
  • Did You Know?
  • George Bush is the second president whose son became president.
  • At age eighteen, he was the youngest pilot to see action in World War II and was awarded the Flying Cross Award for heroism.
  • He presided over the American invasion of Panama.
  • He presided over Operation Desert Storm in Kuwait.
  • He was the first vice president elected president since Martin Van Buren. He was also the first vice president to lose re-election since Van Buren.
  • During his presidency, the Savings and Loan Crisis occurred.
  • Barbara Bush called working for a more literate America the "most important issue we have." She was honorary chairman for the Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy. She advocated volunteerism for the homeless, AIDS, the elderly and schools.
  • He was president during the "fall of communism."
  • "I don't feel the compulsion to be the glamour, one shot, smart comment kind of guy. I think experience, steadiness, knowing how to interact with people is the way to get things done better."
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About This Series

The Peabody Award-winning series profiles the men who have served as chief executive of the United States. This website, created as a companion to C-SPAN's 20th anniversary television series, provides an in-depth look at each of the presidents, their lives, families and administrations.