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.

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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.

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.

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.

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."

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.

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.