President George Bush | Biography, Presidency, & Facts

What is George Bush most known for?

George Bush was the 41st President of the United States. George Bush is best known as the president during the Gulf War. He is also famous for his two sons. George W. Bush, former President of the United States, and Jeb Bush, Governor of Florida.

President George Bush Overview:

Biography of President George Bush:

Growing Up of George Bush

George Bush was born in Massachusetts but raised in Connecticut. His father was a U.S. Senator and a Wall Street executive. George’s success began early in high school, when he was the president of his senior year and also the captain of the baseball team.

George planned to attend Yale University after high school, but when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor during World War II, he decided to join the Navy. He became a naval pilot at just 18 when he graduated, making him the youngest pilot in naval history.

George served a number of combat missions in the Navy, including one in which his plane was shot down and he was rescued from a floating raft by a submarine. After leaving the Navy, George attended Yale University, graduating with honors in just two and a half years. He played first base for the Yale University baseball team, leading the college World Series to two championships. After college, George and his wife Barbara moved to Texas, where they worked in the oil industry for many years.

Before He Became President

Bush decided to follow in his father’s footsteps into politics. He was first elected to the United States House of Representatives in 1966. Four years later, at President Nixon’s request, he renounced his seat to run for the Senate. However, he lost the election. Nixon then appointed Bush ambassador to the United Nations.

Over the next few years, George held various political positions, including chairman of the Republican Party committee, special envoy to China, and director of the CIA. During Jimmy Carter’s tenure, he returned to his job in Texas and began planning his candidacy for president.

Bush ran for president in 1980, but fell short of Ronald Reagan in the Republican primary. However, Reagan elected Bush as vice president, and soon George was elected as vice president. After serving two terms as Vice President with Ronald Reagan, Bush ran for president and won the 1988 election.

George Bush’s Presidency

When George Bush became president, the world underwent a great change. The Soviet Union collapsed, and with it Eastern Europe became communist. New states formed out of the Soviet Union, and the United States gradually began to develop relations with them.

Panama

In the country of Panama, leader Manuel Noriega seized power after losing democratic elections. He is also known to have been involved in drug trafficking into the United States. To capture Noriega and restore stable control of the Panama Canal, the United States invaded Panama, captured Noriega, and brought him back to the United States to face prosecution.

The Gulf War

On August 1, 1990, Iraq, ruled by dictator Saddam Hussein, invaded the small oil-rich country of Kuwait. US-led national coalition forces fought Iraqi forces. Saddam’s army was soon destroyed and he was exiled from Kuwait. A number of restrictions were imposed on Saddam’s government, including regular inspections by the United Nations.

The Economy

Towards the end of the Bush administration, the economy was in trouble. In order to keep the national deficit low, he had to drop his campaign promise of “not imposing new taxes.” As a result, he lost the next election to Bill Clinton.

Retirement of George Bush

After resigning from the presidency, Mr. Bush retired to Texas. He teamed up with his former presidential associate Bill Clinton to raise funds for victims of Hurricane Katrina and the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami. He also followed the political careers of his sons. His one son, George W. Bush, became the 43rd President of the United States, and his other son, Jeb Bush, served as governor of Florida for many years. He passed away on November 30, 2018.

Interesting Facts About George Bush

As of 2011, George and his wife Barbara had been married for 66 years, the longest of any presidential couple.

George celebrated his 85th birthday by skydiving.

He was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II in 1993.

He became the third American president to receive an honorary knighthood.

As a pilot in World War II, he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross.

For a short time he worked as a professor at Rice University.