Thirty-six years ago today, on January 20, 1989 (December 13, 1988), the 41st President of the United States, George W. Bush, was inaugurated (1989-1993). January 20, 1989 The 41st President of the United States, George W. Bush, defeated Michael Dukakis in November with 54% of the vote, becoming the first sitting Vice President to win a presidential election since 1836.