George H. W. Bush — 41st President of the United States
41st President of the United States, Republican
George H. W. Bush
Term: Jan 20, 1989 – Jan 20, 1993
George H. W. Bush (1924–2018) was the forty-first president of the United States, serving from 1989 to 1993. He led an international coalition in the Gulf War (1991) that expelled Iraqi forces from Kuwait, presided over the end of the Cold War and the dissolution of the Soviet Union, and signed the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. His term was also marked by a significant economic recession in the early 1990s, which contributed to his defeat by Bill Clinton in the 1992 election.
“For a new breeze is blowing, and a world refreshed by freedom seems reborn.”
Gas prices during the Bush presidency
- At inauguration
- $0.92
- Jan 1989
- On leaving
- $1.12
- Jan 1993
- Change
- +21.7%
- +3.3% in 2026 dollars
- Average
- $1.11
- $2.81 in 2026 dollars
- Peak
- $1.38
- Oct 1990
- Low
- $0.92
- Jan 1989
U.S. average, regular grade · Jan 1989 – Dec 1992
Nominal U.S. national averages including taxes (EIA / BLS); regional prices vary widely. Compare all presidencies on Gas Prices by President.
Events during this term
- Gulf War
War · Spike, then fall · Aug 1990 – Feb 1991
During this term: pump price $1.19 → $1.14 (−3.9%)