Contents
41 George H. W. Bush (1989-1993)
- Full name: George Herbert Walker Bush
- Born: June 12, 1924
- Age at inauguration: 64
- Political party: Republican
- Known for: As president he condemned the Iraq invasion into Iran right from the start of the Gulf War and together with Allied forces launched Operation Desert Storm on January 17, 1991. He denied any knowledge of the Reagan administration’s “Iran-Contra Affair” when it got uncovered, but this statement was later questioned.
- What you may not know about H.W. Bush: As a torpedo bomber pilot in September 1944 Bush’ aircraft was shot down over Japan and crashed into the Pacific, he survived. From January 1976 to January 1977 Bush was Director of Central Intelligence (DCI, or better known as CIA director).
It’s much worse to read criticism about your son than yourself. -George H. W. Bush
42 Bill Clinton (1993-2001)
- Full name: William Jefferson “Bill” Clinton (born William Jefferson Blythe III)
- Born: August 19, 1946
- Age at inauguration: 46
- Political party: Democratic
- Known for: Clinton’s presidency is known as the longest period of peacetime and economic growth in American History. His post-presidency period to date is a day-to-day devotion to many causes, such as fighting AIDS, child obesity and global warming. In 2005 he established the Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) which regularly brings together heads of state to discuss and help solve pressing global issues. Oh and let’s not forget about the “Lewinski Scandal”
- What you may not know about Clinton: In 2011 media organization NPR challenged Clinton to answer questions in their My Little Pony quiz. He answered them correctly. Read and listen here.
When our memories outweigh our dreams, it is then that we become old. -Bill Clinton
43 George W. Bush (2001-2009)
- Full name: George Walker Bush
- Born: July 6, 1946
- Age at inauguration: 44
- Political party: Republican
- Known for: Bush announced the War on Terror, after the 9/11 terrorist attacks occurred only eight months into his first term. This not only resulted in the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, but also changes and increases in national security regulation such as the “PATRIOT Act”.
- What you may not know about W. Bush: Bush is an avid reader and is very interested in historical nonfiction. It is said that he read 14 Lincoln biographies and 186 books during the last three years of his presidency.
When I take action, I’m not going to fire a $2 million missile at a $10 empty tent and hit a camel in the butt. It’s going to be decisive. -George W. Bush
44 Barack Obama (2009-present)
- Full name: Barack Hussein Obama II
- Born: August 4, 1961
- Age at inauguration: 47
- Political party: Democratic
- Known for: Obama is the first African American to become President of the United States. He ended the U.S. military involvement in Iraq in 2009 and all US troops were withdrawn by December 2011. He’s known for his active struggle against the Great Recession and attempts to improve the economy. “Obamacare” (formally PPACA or Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act) is Obama’s overhaul of the nation’s healthcare system with aim to improve quality and affordability of health insurance. Currently he’s under fire for the NSA’s Prism surveillance program, illegally brought to light by Edward Snowden.
- What you may not know about Obama: Obama collects Spider-Man and Conan The Barbarian comics and has read every Harry Potter book. For good luck he wears a bracelet that belonged to a soldier deployed in Iraq.
If you’re walking down the right path and you’re willing to keep walking, eventually you’ll make progress. -Barack Obama