George H. W. Bush

Some of the key events about George H. W. Bush

• 1944

  Became one of the youngest naval aviators in World War II at age 20
• 1966

  Elected to the U.S. House of Representatives from Texas's 7th district
• 1971

  Appointed as U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations
• 1974

  Became Chief of the U.S. Liaison Office to the People's Republic of China
• 1976

  Appointed as Director of Central Intelligence
• 1981

  Sworn in as the 43rd Vice President of the United States
• 1988

  Elected as the 41st President of the United States
• 1988

  Authorized a racially charged campaign ad known as "Willie Horton" during his presidential run
• 1989

  Signed the Americans with Disabilities Act into law
• 1989

  Vetoed the Civil Rights Act of 1990, which aimed to strengthen protections against employment discrimination
• 1990

  Signed the Clean Air Act Amendments, strengthening air pollution controls
• 1990

  Broke his "Read my lips: no new taxes" campaign promise by agreeing to raise taxes
• 1991

  Led the international coalition in the Gulf War to liberate Kuwait
• 1991

  Nominated Clarence Thomas to the Supreme Court despite sexual harassment allegations
• 1992

  Pardoned six officials involved in the Iran-Contra affair, effectively ending the investigation
• 1992

  Vomited on the lap of Japan's Prime Minister during a state dinner, causing international embarrassment
• 1992

  Struggled to connect with voters during a town hall debate, famously checking his watch
• 1992

  Lost re-election to Bill Clinton, becoming a one-term president
• 1993

  Faced criticism for his handling of the humanitarian crisis in Somalia
• 2011

  Accused of groping an actress during a photo op, leading to multiple similar allegations in later years

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