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By: HISTORY.com Editors

1992

President George H.W. Bush honors Women’s World Cup champions

HISTORY.com Editors

Published: November 16, 2009Last Updated: May 28, 2025

On January 23, 1992, President George H.W. Bush hosts a White House reception for the U.S. women’s soccer team in honor of their recent World Cup win.

On this occasion, President Bush displayed the wry, folksy sense of humor that endeared him to his supporters. He began by welcoming the crowd who gathered to support a team that he said reflected a favorite American pastime; it’s known as winning. He emphasized the importance of an American team finally achieving first-class status in a global sport that had previously been dominated by teams from other parts of the world. The 1992 U.S. women’s soccer team not only won the first FIFA women’s championship, but the first-ever soccer championship for the U.S. At the reception, Bush repeated a quote that sport was the first great separator of the sexes. Referring to the less-than-successful record of the U.S. men’s soccer team he quipped, "For the sake of the male ego, I hope the men start catching up."

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Citation Information

Article Title: President George H.W. Bush honors Women’s World Cup champions
Author: HISTORY.com Editors
Website Name: History
URL: https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/january-23/bush-sr-honors-womens-world-cup-soccer-champions

Date Accessed: October 21, 2026
Publisher: A&E Television Networks
Last Updated: May 28, 2025
Original Published Date: November 16, 2009