• President Bush Addresses the Nation on September 11, 2001
    Paul Morse
    speeches
    West Wing
    Oval Office
    September 11
    counterterrorism
    This photograph, taken by Paul Morse, shows President George W. Bush delivering an address to the nation from the Oval Office following the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001. Bush delivered the live televised address that evening. Contributors to the speech included President Bush; speechwriters John McConnell, David Frum, Matthew Scully, and Michael J. Gerson; national security advisor Condoleezza Rice and her deputy assistant Stephen J. Hadley; and members of the White House communications team. In his remarks, Bush mourned the loss of American citizens yet asserted the strength of the nation, promised retribution for the perpetrators of the attacks and their supporters, and offered words of prayer.
  • Moment of Silence for Victims of September 11th Terrorist Attacks
    Paul Morse
    staff
    commemorations
    South Lawn
    South Grounds
    south view
    September 11
    In this photograph, taken by Paul Morse on September 18, 2001, President George W. Bush and Vice President Richard B. Cheney join White House staff to observe a moment of silence on the South Lawn honoring the victims of the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001. The moment of silence ceremony has remained a tradition in the formal observation of September 11th at the White House. In 2002, President Bush designated September 11th as Patriot Day, a time that has been recognized through presidential proclamations as a national day of remembrance, prayer, and service.
  • 9/11 Heroes Medal of Valor Award Ceremony
    Paul Morse
    merits & awards
    ceremonies
    South Lawn
    South Grounds
    September 11
    south view
    In this photograph, taken by Paul Morse on September 9, 2005, President George W. Bush delivers remarks on the South Lawn during the presentation ceremony for the 9/11 Heroes Medal of Valor. The medal was created to honor 442 public safety officers, including firefighters, police officers, and emergency medical technicians, who died as a result of performing their duties in the immediate aftermath of the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001. President Bush invited family members of the fallen officers to the South Lawn ceremony, where they were presented with the posthumous award.
  • Firefighters Unfurl Flag at Pentagon following 9/11 Terrorist Attacks
    Paul Morse
    flags
    Virginia
    September 11
    In this photograph, taken by Paul Morse on September 12, 2002, a group of firefighters unfurl a large American flag over the damaged Pentagon building in Arlington, Virginia following the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. The flag was displayed to encourage and inspire rescue workers as they searched the debris for survivors. On September 11, 2001, the hijacked aircraft American Airlines Flight 77 crashed into the west side of the Pentagon, resulting in 184 casualties. On September 11, 2008, President George W. Bush attended the dedication ceremony of the National 9/11 Pentagon Memorial, built to honor the victims of the attack.
  • President George W. Bush Speaks at Olympic Torch Relay Ceremony
    Paul Morse
    sports
    ceremonies
    South Lawn
    South Grounds
    In this photograph, taken by Paul Morse on December 22, 2001, President George W. Bush delivers remarks during the Olympic torch relay ceremony on the South Lawn. The torch passed through the South Grounds during its journey to the 2002 Winter Olympic Games in Salt Lake City, Utah. The ceremony reflected the somber national mood following the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. Torchbearers Liz Howell and Eric Jones were not athletes but instead American citizens who demonstrated courage and heroism during the national tragedy.
  • National Security Team Luncheon at Prairie Chapel Ranch
    Paul Morse
    residence
    meetings
    food & drink
    Texas
    Cabinet
    staff
    This photograph, taken by Paul Morse on December 28, 2006, shows President George W. Bush and First Lady Laura Bush enjoying a lunch of cheeseburgers at their Prairie Chapel Ranch with members of the national security team including Vice President Richard B. Cheney, Secretary of Defense Robert Gates, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff United States Marine Corps Gen. Peter Pace. While entertaining at their ranch near Crawford, Texas, President Bush and Mrs. Bush frequently served burgers with extra-sharp cheddar cheese and sweet and smokey barbecue sauce, made with care by Matthew Wendel. Wendel is pictured in this photograph at left, serving a cheeseburger.
  • Crowd Waves Flags as Marine One Departs
    Paul Morse
    transportation
    flags
    South Lawn
    South Grounds
    Marine One
    September 11
    This photograph was taken on September 21, 2001 as staff members gathered on the South Lawn wave American flags as President George W. Bush and First Lady Laura Bush depart onboard Marine One for Camp David. For many Americans, the immediate aftermath of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001 was a time of great patriotism and national unity. The period saw a dramatic increase in the public display of American flags and other patriotic symbols.
  • National Defense Team Luncheon at Prairie Chapel Ranch
    Paul Morse
    residence
    meetings
    Texas
    Cabinet
    staff
    This photograph was taken by Paul Morse on August 23, 2004, during a luncheon hosted by President George W. Bush at the Prairie Chapel Ranch, his home near Crawford, Texas. The president hosted the luncheon for members of his national defense team, including Vice President Richard B. Cheney and Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld.
  • Chef Wendel Grilling at Prairie Chapel Ranch
    Paul Morse
    residence
    food & drink
    Texas
    staff
    This photograph, taken by Paul Morse on December 28, 2006, shows Matthew Wendel preparing food for a luncheon on a gas grill at the Prairie Chapel Ranch, President George W. Bush's home near Crawford, Texas. The luncheon took place during a meeting between President Bush and his national security team. During the luncheon, guests were served cheeseburgers prepared to the preferred taste of First Lady Laura Bush -- made with extra-sharp cheddar cheese and sweet and smokey barbecue sauce. While entertaining at the ranch, President and Mrs. Bush frequently served cheeseburgers to their guests, be they world leaders or family friends.
  • Mrs. Bush Reviews Schedule with Chef Wendel
    Paul Morse
    transportation
    Air Force One
    In this photograph, taken by Paul Morse on June 18, 2006, First Lady Laura Bush reviews the month's schedule and menus with chef Matthew Wendel. Wendel became acquainted with the Bush family in 1995, while working as a waiter-caterer at the Governor's Mansion in Austin, Texas. After George W. Bush was elected president in 2000, Wendel continued to prepare meals for the first family during their trips to Camp David and visits home to the Prairie Chapel Ranch, near Crawford, Texas. Here, the first lady and chef are pictured aboard Air Force One, en route from Texas to Andrews Air Force Base near Washington, D.C.
  • Chef Wendel Arrives at Andrews Air Force Base
    Paul Morse
    transportation
    Air Force One
    In this photograph, taken by Paul Morse on June 18, 2006, chef Matthew Wendel departs from Air Force One upon arrival at the Andrews Air Force Base near Washington, D.C. Wendel became acquainted with George W. Bush while serving as a waiter-caterer at the Texas Governor's Mansion in 1995. After Bush was elected president in 2000, Wendel continued to prepare meals for the first family during their trips to Camp David and visits home to Texas. Wendel frequently traveled aboard Air Force One when returning to Washington, D.C. from the Prairie Chapel Ranch, the first family's residence near Crawford, Texas.
  • Children Play Tee Ball on the South Lawn
    Paul Morse
    sports
    South Lawn
    South Grounds
    This photograph, taken by Paul Morse on June 23, 2006, shows children taking part in a Little League tee ball game on the South Lawn. Here, a McGuire AFB Yankee leads off with a hit against the Dolcom Indians. A lifelong fan of sports, President George W. Bush introduced Tee Ball on the South Lawn in 2001.
  • New Orleans Departure
    Paul Morse
    transportation
    Air Force One
    This photograph by White House photographer Paul Morse shows President George W. Bush waving before entering Air Force One on April 25th, 2001. President Bush was en route to New Orleans, Louisiana. The presidential limousine can be seen in the foreground.
  • First Lady Laura Bush Poses with the Cherry Blossom Princesses
    Paul Morse
    flowers
    East Room
    Cherry Blossom Festival
    This photograph is of First Lady Laura Bush posing with Cherry Blossom Princesses and the Goodwill Ambassadors in the East Room of the White House on March 31, 2004. In 2001, Mrs. Bush opened the Cherry Blossom Festival stating, “The cherry trees in bloom represent the coming of spring… and the enduring relationship between the United States and Japan… We are grateful for the beautiful gift exchange that has taken place over the past century. Beyond the beautiful trees, we have much more to share and offer one another, from trade and commerce, to education, art and culture.” Since 1912, the blooming cherry blossoms have signaled the arrival of springtime in Washington D.C. First Lady Helen Taft was responsible for the planting of the 3,020 Japanese cherry blossom trees along the Tidal Basin and grounds of the U.S. Capitol. Many first ladies have continued to take an active role in the cherry blossom celebrations and in recent years have served as honorary chairs of the annual Cherry Blossom Festival.
  • President Bush & President Putin Walk the Cross Hall
    Paul Morse
    Cross Hall
    Head of State
    This photograph by Paul Morse shows President George W. Bush and Russian President Vladimir Putin walking down the Cross Hall to begin a joint news conference in the East Room.
  • President Bush with Groundskeeper Irv Williams
    Paul Morse
    staff
    South Lawn
    This photograph by Paul Morse shows President George W. Bush speaking with Irv Williams, a groundskeeper, during a maple tree planting on the South Lawn.
  • Barney
    Paul Morse
    pets
    This photograph by Paul Morse is of Barney, the Bush family's pet Scottish Terrier.
  • Spot on the White House Lawn
    Paul Morse
    pets
    South Lawn
    This photograph by Paul Morse shows the Bush's dog Spot playing on the South Lawn with a tennis ball. Spot was the daughter of Millie, the English springer spaniel owned by President George H. W. Bush and his wife Barbara. She was born in the White House during the first Bush presidency.
  • President and Mrs. Bush with Prince Charles and Camilla
    Paul Morse
    North Portico
    Head of State
    This photograph shows President George W. Bush and First Lady Laura Bush with His Royal Highness Prince Charles of Wales and Her Royal Highness Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall on the North Portico.
  • President Bush Signs Tax Cut Bill in the East Room
    Paul Morse
    East Room
    Congress
    bill signing
    This photograph by Paul Morse shows President George W. Bush signing a tax cut bill into law in the East Room. Present in the photograph are Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY), Former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich (R-GA), and House Speaker Dennis Hastert (R-IL). Behind Speaker Hastert is Congressman John Boehner (R-OH) and Senator Rick Santorum (R-PA).
  • George W. , Laura, George H. W., and Jeb Bush Watch T-Ball on the South Lawn
    Paul Morse
    First Family
    sports
    South Lawn
    This photograph shows the extended Bush family watching a t-ball game hosted on the South Lawn. Left to right: Florida Governor Jeb Bush, former President George H. W. Bush, First Lady Laura Bush, and President George W. Bush.
  • President Bush Reads to Students at Nalle Elementary School
    Paul Morse
    children
    This photograph by Paul Morse shows President George W. Bush reading to children in Nancy Tentman's class at Nalle Elementary School in Washington, D.C.
  • Barney, India, and Miss Beazley Pose for a Photograph for Valentine's Day
    Paul Morse
    pets
    holidays
    This photograph by Paul Morse shows Bush pets posing for a Valentine's Day Picture. Left to right: Barney, India, Miss Beazley.
  • President Bush Addresses Ambassadors and Muslim Leaders in the State Dining Room
    Paul Morse
    State Dining Room
    This photograph shows President George W. Bush speaking at an Iftar dinner given for ambassadors and Muslim leaders. Iftar is the name of the evening meal that Muslims eat when breaking their daily fast during Ramadan.
  • George W. Bush Reviews Troops in Fort Stewart, Georgia
    Paul Morse
    military
    This photograph by Paul Morse shows President George W. Bush reviewing troops in Fort Stewart, Georgia.