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Read My Lips: No New Taxes (0:54)

George H. W. Bush's infamous promise delivered during his acceptance speech at the Republican National Convention on August 18, 1988, became the campaign pledge that may have helped win him the election.

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Speeches & Audio (15)

  • Read My Lips: No New Taxes
    Read My Lips: No New Taxes

    Audio Clip (0:54)

    George H. W. Bush's infamous promise delivered during his acceptance speech at the Republican National Convention on August 18, 1988, became the campaign pledge that may have helped win him the election.

    Audio Clip (0:54)
  • Bush's 1,000 Points of Light
    Bush's 1,000 Points of Light

    Audio Clip (1:11)

    Upon his nomination for president of the United States, George H. W. Bush delivers an acceptance speech at the Republican National Convention on August 18, 1988. Bush folds into his speech many slogans that he will use throughout his campaign, including his reference to the "1,000 points of light" that symbolize America's diversity.

    Audio Clip (1:11)
  • Bush's Kinder, Gentler Nation
    Bush's Kinder, Gentler Nation

    Audio Clip (1:06)

    On August 18, 1988, George H. W. Bush received his party's nomination for president of the United States. In his acceptance speech, he calls for a "kinder, gentler nation."

    Audio Clip (1:06)
  • George H. W. Bush Refuses More Debates
    George H. W. Bush Refuses More Debates

    Audio Clip (2:04)

    As the 1988 presidential campaign got underway, a debate over debates emerged, with Gov. Michael Dukakis' camp pushing for three and four and Vice President George H. W. Bush standing his ground at two. In an address to the American people, Bush tries to bring the matter to a close.

    Audio Clip (2:04)
  • George H. W. Bush's Inaugural Address
    George H. W. Bush's Inaugural Address

    Audio Clip (2:12)

    On January 20, 1989, former Vice President George H. W. Bush took the oath of office and was sworn in as the 41st president of the United States. In his address, Bush reiterates his campaign promise for a "kinder, gentler" nation, and also emphasizes the need to deal with the federal budget deficit.

    Audio Clip (2:12)
  • Bush on Tiananmen Square
    Bush on Tiananmen Square

    Audio Clip (1:48)

    Several weeks of pro-democracy demonstrations in the streets of Beijing came to a violent end on June 4, 1989, when the Chinese Army fired on the crowds, killing hundreds. The next day, President George H. W. Bush publicly condemns the event.

    Audio Clip (1:48)
  • Bush Calls for Glasnost in East Berlin
    Bush Calls for Glasnost in East Berlin

    Audio Clip (2:55)

    On May 31, 1989, in a speech delivered in Mainz, West Germany, President George H. W. Bush emphasizes America's desire to see the barriers between the east and west come down.

    Audio Clip (2:55)
  • Bush on the Fall of the Berlin Wall
    Bush on the Fall of the Berlin Wall

    Audio Clip (0:32)

    The day after the fall of the Berlin Wall on November 20, 1989, President George H. W. Bush met with West German Foreign Minister Hans-Dietrich Genscher to discuss plans for the reunification of Germany. As a token of his gratitude to the United States, Genscher brought President Bush a piece of the Berlin Wall. In a press conference, Bush thanks the foreign minister for the gift.

    Audio Clip (0:32)
  • Bush Orders Invasion of Panama
    Bush Orders Invasion of Panama

    Audio Clip (1:22)

    President George H.W. Bush sent U.S. troops into the Central American country in an effort to oust the dictator. In an address to the nation, Bush explains his decision to call for military action.

    Audio Clip (1:22)
  • Bush on Iraq's Invasion of Kuwait
    Bush on Iraq's Invasion of Kuwait

    Audio Clip (1:38)

    In a live report from the Oval Office, President George H.W. Bush announces the deployment of U.S. armed forces to Saudi Arabia. Troops were sent to the Arab nation to deter further Iraqi aggression after Iraq's invasion of Kuwait on August 2, 1990.

    Audio Clip (1:38)
  • George H. W. Bush Announces Start of Persian Gulf War
    George H. W. Bush Announces Start of Persian Gulf War

    Audio Clip (6:33)

    On the evening of January 16,1991, President George H. W. Bush addresses the nation to discuss the launch of Operation Desert Storm.

    Audio Clip (6:33)
  • Bush Announces End to Gulf War
    Bush Announces End to Gulf War

    Audio Clip (2:05)

    On February 27, 1991, five months after Iraq invaded Kuwait, the U.S. and its allies forced Saddam Hussein to withdraw his troops. In a nationally broadcast address, President George Bush calls on Iraq to meet the requirements for a permanent ceasefire.

    Audio Clip (2:05)
  • Bush and Gorbachev Sign the START I Treaty
    Bush and Gorbachev Sign the START I Treaty

    Audio Clip (2:25)

    On July 31, 1991, the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty was signed in Moscow by U.S. President George H.W. Bush and Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev, committing each superpower to reducing nuclear arms by a third. In a press conference held at the Kremlin, President Bush discusses the economic cooperation implicit in the peace negotiations.

    Audio Clip (2:25)
  • Bush on Los Angeles Riots
    Bush on Los Angeles Riots

    Audio Clip (1:40)

    On April 29, 1992, shortly after four white LAPD officers were acquitted in the beating of Rodney King, rioting broke out in Los Angeles. On May 1, President George H. W. Bush delivers a nationally broadcast response to the unrest, which lasted more than a week.

    Audio Clip (1:40)
  • George H. W. Bush Addresses U.S. Troops in Somalia
    George H. W. Bush Addresses U.S. Troops in Somalia

    Audio Clip (0:28)

    In an effort to provide humanitarian aid to Somalia, President George H.W. Bush ordered 30,000 U.S. troops into the East African country on December 4,1992. In a speech to the troops on the mission, President Bush assures them that an end is in sight.

    Audio Clip (0:28)

Videos (5)

  • Read My Lips
    Read My Lips

    Video Clip (4:31)

    "Read my lips no new taxes" was the 1988 campaign promise by George Bush that helped boost his popularity with the conservative wing.

    Video Clip (4:31)
  • Tank Ride
    Tank Ride

    Video Clip (4:22)

    In 1988, Michael Dukakis' campaign was destroyed by an ad the Bush campaign ran using footage of Dukakis having fun driving a tank.

    Video Clip (4:22)
  • Bush and the Moonies
    Bush and the Moonies

    Video Clip (1:09)

    Mary Matalin, Deputy Campaign Manager to George Bush's 1992 Campaign tells the story of the unexpected welcome Bush received from some locals along the campaign trail.

    Video Clip (1:09)
  • Inaugural Address: George H.W. Bush
    Inaugural Address: George H.W. Bush

    Video Clip (2:12)

    Excerpts from George Herbert Walker Bush's inaugural address on Friday, January 20, 1989.

    Video Clip (2:12)
  • Presidents Who Served
    Presidents Who Served

    Video Clip (3:39)

    Military service helped build character for Presidents George Bush and Henry Ford.

    Video Clip (3:39)

Photo Galleries (2)

  • George Bush
    George Bush

    20 Photos

    View an image slideshow on President George Bush.

    (20 Photos)
  • George W. Bush
    George W. Bush

    18 Photos

    View an image slideshow on President George W. Bush.

    (18 Photos)

Interactives (1)

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