On May 1, 2003, President Bush landed on the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln aboard an S-3B Viking jet, emerged from the aircraft in full flight gear, and proceeded to "press flesh," as The Washington Post put it, as he shook hands and hugged crew members in front of the cameras. Later that day, Bush delivered a nationally televised speech from the deck of the Abraham Lincoln in which he declared that "Major combat operations in Iraq have ended," all the while standing under a banner reading: "Mission Accomplished."

(http://mediamatters.org/items/200604270005)

President Bush Announces Major Combat Operations in Iraq Have Ended

Remarks by the President from the USS Abraham Lincoln

At Sea Off the Coast of San Diego, California

THE PRESIDENT: "My fellow Americans: Major combat operations in Iraq have ended. In the battle of Iraq, the United States and our allies have prevailed. (Applause.)...In the images of celebrating Iraqis, we have also seen the ageless appeal of human freedom..."

For the complete text of President Bush's address, please see --

(http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2003/05/20030501-15.html)