William Jefferson Clinton, a New Democrat, served as the 42nd president of the United States from 1993 to 2001. Known for economic expansion and foreign policy initiatives, he faced the Clinton-Lewinsky scandal during his second term.
President Clinton was born William Jefferson Blythe III on August 19, 1946, in Hope, Arkansas, three months after his father died in a traffic accident. When he was four years old, his mother wed Roger Clinton, of Hot Springs, Arkansas. In high school, he took the family name.
Bill Clinton was born on August 19, 1946.
Bill Clinton met President John Kennedy in the White House Rose Garden as a delegate to Boys Nation, which influenced him to pursue a life of public service.
Bill Clinton won a Rhodes Scholarship to Oxford University in 1968, which furthered his academic pursuits and career.
Bill Clinton writes a letter to Colonel Eugene Holmes, expressing gratitude for being saved from the draft and outlining his beliefs about the war.
Bill Clinton and Hillary Rodham campaigned for Democratic presidential candidate George McGovern, who ultimately lost the 1972 Presidential Election to Richard Nixon.
Bill Clinton accepted a teaching position at the University of Arkansas School of Law, where he taught constitutional law, criminal procedure, and admiralty law for $14,709 a year.
Twenty-eight year old Bill Clinton campaigns for the United States House of Representatives against the popular Republican incumbent John Paul Hammerschmidt. Although he loses the election, Clinton captures 48.2% of the vote, marking the closest any Democrat came to beating Hammerschmidt during his 26 years in Congress.
Bill Clinton married fellow Yale Law graduate, attorney Hillary Rodham (Hillary Clinton), who thereafter took an active role in his political career.
Bill Clinton was elected as Arkansas Attorney General in 1976.
Just two years after becoming Attorney General, Bill Clinton runs a successful campaign for governor and becomes the youngest governor in the nation since 1938 at the age of 32.
Bill Clinton was sworn in as governor of Arkansas, becoming the youngest governor the country had seen in 40 years.
Chelsea Clinton was born in Little Rock, Arkansas, and grew up in a political environment due to her father's career as Governor and later as President of the United States.
On September 1, 1980, Bill Clinton lost his re-election campaign for a second term as governor to Republican Frank White. The automobile registration issue played a significant role in White's victory, as he had switched his allegiance to the Republican Party shortly before announcing his candidacy.
On September 1, 1982, Bill Clinton was re-elected as Governor after determining he had a good chance at re-election and successfully capturing the vote.
On September 1, 1984, Roger Clinton, Jr., was convicted for crimes related to drugs and was sentenced to two years in prison.
In 1986, Bill Clinton's Republican opponent in the gubernatorial reelection campaign accused the Clintons of conflict of interest due to Rose Law Firm's involvement in state business. The Clintons defended themselves by stating that state fees were separated from her profits.
On September 1, 1990, Bill Clinton announced his candidacy for a fifth term as governor of Arkansas, while also preparing for a potential presidential run, causing uncertainty among the people of Arkansas.
On October 2, 1991, Arkansas Governor William Jefferson Clinton announces his candidacy for the presidency.
On October 3, 1991, Bill Clinton declared his candidacy for the Democratic nomination for President of the United States on the steps of the Old State House in Little Rock. This announcement took place at the same location where he had previously announced his candidacy for Governor in 1978.
On January 23, 1992, a scandal erupts in Bill Clinton's campaign when the Star tabloid releases a cover story claiming that Gennifer Flowers, a long-time acquaintance of Clinton, has changed her story about their relationship.
On January 26, 1992, Bill Clinton and his wife Hillary appear on television's '60 Minutes' program to present their side of the story regarding the scandal.
The Wall Street Journal alleges that during the Vietnam War, Bill Clinton manipulated the system, posing a new challenge for his campaign.
Gennifer Flowers holds a press conference to reaffirm that she was Bill Clinton's lover for twelve years, and plays excerpts from recently taped phone conversations between them for the public.
Bill Clinton finishes second in New Hampshire's primary election on February 18, 1992.
Following the Gennifer Flowers and the draft controversies, Clinton's poll numbers had dropped and he had to campaign harder than ever. In his speech that night, Clinton says New Hampshire has made him 'the Comeback Kid.'
On the evening of July 16, Bill Clinton accepted the Democratic Nomination for President in a speech to the Democratic National Convention in New York.
On July 17, 1992, Bill Clinton and vice-presidential candidate Al Gore departed on a bus tour of America, accompanied by their wives, staff, and over 130 journalists.
On November 3, 1992, William J. Clinton won the 1992 Presidential Election, securing 43% of the popular vote and 69% of the electoral vote, defeating incumbent George H. W. Bush and Independent Candidate H. Ross Perot.
On November 3, 1992, Bill Clinton was elected as the President of the United States. This marked the beginning of a working partnership between Clinton and his vice president Al Gore, establishing Gore as one of the most influential vice presidents in U.S. history.
Bill Clinton was elected President on November 4, defeating President George Herbert Walker Bush by 370-168 electoral votes and claiming victory in a speech at the Old State House in Little Rock.
Zoë Baird's nomination as Attorney General by Clinton was announced, but it was revealed that she had not paid Social Security for her nanny, leading to controversy and her withdrawal of the nomination.
In 1993, President Clinton discusses his economic plan in his first State of the Union address, which includes a reduction rather than a middle class tax cut. The economic plan faces jeopardy due to the president's earlier missteps.
Bill Clinton served as the 42nd president of the United States from 1993 to 2001. He presided over a period of economic growth and was the second U.S. president to be impeached in 1998.
Bill Clinton was inaugurated as the 42nd President of the United States.
Bill Clinton was inaugurated as the 42nd President of the United States.
Zoe Baird, Bill Clinton's nominee for Attorney General, faces criticism after admitting she had employed undocumented foreigners in her home.
President Clinton lifted the moratorium on federal funding for research involving fetal tissue, which allowed progress on research into treatments for Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's, diabetes, and leukemia.
President Bill Clinton issued a series of orders reversing Reagan directives on abortion and family planning, including the 'Mexico City' Policy, 'Title X Gag Rule,' Fetal Tissue in research, Abortions in Military Hospitals, and Importation of RU-486.
On January 29, 1993, President Clinton fulfilled a campaign promise by lifting the ban on gays in the military, which caused controversy and put him at odds with conservative members of both parties.
President Clinton ordered the Federal Government to make it easier for states to receive waivers from government regulations in order to implement innovative welfare reform projects. Between 1993 and the signing of the Welfare Reform bill in 1996, the Administration granted waivers to a record 43 states.
President Bill Clinton appointed First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton to lead the healthcare reform task force, demonstrating his commitment to addressing healthcare issues.
Bill Clinton delivered his first State of the Union address on February 17, 1993, outlining his administration's agenda and priorities.
The World Trade Center in New York City was bombed, resulting in numerous casualties and injuries. The incident was later revealed to be a terrorist attack aimed at causing the towers to collapse.
Janet Reno was sworn in as the Attorney General, becoming the first woman to hold this position in the United States.
The Clinton Administration signed the Motor Voter law, allowing millions of Americans to register to vote at the same time they get a driver's license. This led to the registration of more than 28 million new voters.
On May 29, 1993, President Clinton announces the appointment of David Gergen as Counselor to the President.
On June 26, 1993, President Clinton ordered a missile attack targeting Iraq's intelligence headquarters in Baghdad. This action was in response to an Iraqi plot to assassinate President Bush.
President Clinton announces the 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' policy as an 'honorable compromise' regarding the participation of gay service members in the military. The policy allows them to serve but could lead to military investigations and expulsion if their orientation is acknowledged.
President announces the dismissal of FBI Director William Sessions based on the recommendation of Attorney General Janet Reno. This marks the first time an FBI Director has been dismissed from a 10-year appointment.
President signs the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1993, which includes increasing the top income tax rate from 35% to 39% and reducing tax burden on the lower and middle class. The act also includes a deficit-reduction plan and was passed without Republican votes.
President Clinton presides over a ceremony in Washington, D.C., at which Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin and Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) Chairman Yasser Arafat sign the Israeli-Palestinian Declaration of Principles, also known as the Oslo I Accord. This historic agreement is the first face-to-face agreement between the Israeli government and the PLO, providing for Palestinian self-government in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank.
The AmeriCorps initiative was enacted, allowing individuals to serve communities across the country while earning money for college or skills training programs. Since its inception, 150,000 volunteers have participated in AmeriCorps, surpassing the enrollment in the Peace Corps' first 20 years.
Bill Clinton presented a healthcare plan aimed at achieving universal coverage while addressing concerns about increased taxes from conservatives. However, the plan was ultimately rejected by Congress.
On October 4, 1993, American forces were ambushed in Somalia, leading to the Battle of Mogadishu. The event had significant implications for President Clinton's decision to minimize the U.S. presence in Somalia and generated criticism for not capturing Aidid, impacting American military credibility.
Bill Clinton addressed the nation regarding the fighting in Mogadishu, Somalia, particularly the tragic incident on October 3-4, known as the 'Black Hawk Down' incident, in which 18 US soldiers lost their lives.
President Clinton signs the Brady Bill into law, which requires a five-day waiting period for handgun purchases and mandates local police to conduct criminal background checks on potential buyers.
The House of Representatives approved NAFTA on November 17, 1993, by a vote of 234 to 200. The agreement's supporters included 132 Republicans and only 102 Democrats, reflecting the challenges President Clinton faced in convincing Congress that the controversial piece of legislation would truly benefit all Americans.
Bill Clinton signed the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) into law on November 30, 1993, impacting trade relations between the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
After a hard-fought battle in Congress, President Clinton signs the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), eliminating nearly every trade barrier between the United States, Canada, and Mexico, creating the world's largest free trade zone.
President Clinton attends the NATO summit meeting in Brussels, Belgium, where he announces the United States' commitment to maintaining at least 100,000 troops in Europe. He also introduces the 'Partnership for Peace' program to strengthen ties between NATO and former Warsaw Pact states.
On January 12, 1994, Attorney General Janet Reno announced the appointment of an Independent Counsel to investigate the Whitewater controversy, leading to the deposition of the First Couple at the White House on June 12, 1994. This investigation had far-reaching political and legal implications.
Bill Clinton signs the Kremlin Accords, an agreement that prohibits both nations from targeting nuclear missiles at each other.
Attorney General Reno appoints an independent counsel to investigate the Clinton family's investment in the Whitewater Development Corporation.
President Clinton delivers his first annual State of the Union Address.
President Clinton announces the return of troops from Somalia in a press conference.
President Clinton ends the nineteen-year old trade embargo against Vietnam, citing Vietnam's efforts to locate 2,238 Americans missing in action since the Vietnam War.
Paula Jones files a lawsuit alleging that President Clinton sexually harassed her in a Little Rock hotel room in 1991. President Clinton declines to comment beyond praising his lawyer in an exchange with reporters.
President Clinton lifts the Vietnam trade embargo.
The new bill established minimum performance standards, strong accountability and created the Early Head Start program for children aged 0 to 3. The Administration has increased funding for Head Start by more than 90 percent since 1993.
The last American Marines leave Somalia.
President Clinton renews China's Most Favored Nation trade status, despite China's limited progress on human rights issues.
President Clinton unveils his welfare reform initiatives, fulfilling his 1992 campaign promise to 'end welfare as we know it.'
In August 1994, Kenneth W. Starr was appointed as the Independent Counsel in the Whitewater case, replacing Robert B. Fiske by the U.S. Court of Appeals.
President Clinton meets with Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin of Israel and King Hussein of Jordan, resulting in an agreement to end nearly fifty years of official antagonism between Israel and Jordan.
Bill Clinton signed the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act into law on September 13, 1994, addressing crime and law enforcement issues in the United States.
Discussed the US goal to restore democratic government and remove General Raoul Cedras from power in Haiti.
Addressed the nation to announce that a Haitian General has agreed to cede power.
After the failure of negotiations and sanctions, the Clinton administration faces challenges on September 19, 1994.
The Clinton administration announces plans to send more than 35,000 troops to the Persian Gulf to deter an Iraqi invasion of Kuwait. Less than three days after the announcement, Iraqi troops pull back from the Iraq-Kuwait border.
After a tense stand-off with the Clinton administration, Haiti's military government, led by General Raoul Cedras, agrees to cede power. The administration, along with the United Nations, had tried for over a year to restore the democratically elected president of Haiti, Jean-Bertrand Aristide, who had been overthrown in a coup on September 30, 1991.
The Senate votes to approve the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) that 117 nations, including the United States, agree to in December 1993. The agreement cuts tariffs by more than a third on a wide-range of products and creates a freer international market for goods.
Remarks were made at the signing of denuclearization agreements, putting the START I treaty into force.
President Clinton, along with the presidents of Belarus, Kazakhstan, Russia, and Ukraine, signs the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START I) in Budapest, Hungary. The treaty eliminates more than 9,000 warheads.
The State of the Union Address was delivered.
President Clinton issued $20 billion in emergency loans to Mexico to stabilize the country's financial markets, preventing economic collapse and aiding in the country's return to solid economic growth. The loans were repaid with interest, resulting in a net gain for U.S. taxpayers.
The President issued an executive order to expand federal efforts to collect child support payments, as part of the Clinton Administration's strategy to encourage parental responsibility and increase child support.
President Clinton issued an executive order to prevent the federal government from contracting with businesses that hire permanent replacements for employees engaging in lawful strikes, aiming to maintain fairness and balance between workers and management.
The Oklahoma City Bombing occurred on April 19, 1995, as a domestic terrorist attack on a federal building, resulting in the tragic deaths of at least 168 people.
Following the Oklahoma City Bombing, a memorial service was held on April 23, 1995. President Clinton mentioned the bombing in his remarks over 50 times throughout the remainder of his term.
On July 11, 1995, the United States officially recognized Vietnam diplomatically for the first time.
President Clinton issued an executive memorandum to protect religious expression in public schools while upholding the separation of church and state. The directive clarified the principles of religious expression in schools, ensuring that students are free to express their religious views and pray under the Constitution.
On September 23, 1995, the United States refused to deploy American troops on the ground to resolve the conflict in Bosnia.
On October 23, 1995, President Yeltsin of Russia met with the United States to discuss the reduction of nuclear materials and arms.
President Clinton called for further reductions in weapons of mass destruction.
On November 13, 1995, President Clinton vetoes the balanced budget proposal given to him by House leaders, leading to a federal government shutdown due to the lack of an approved budget.
President vetoed a bill that allowed for a temporary increase in the debt limit.
President announced an agreement to reopen the federal government and pledged to negotiate a balanced budget.
President addressed the nation on the Dayton Peace Accords, which aimed to end the war in Bosnia with negotiations facilitated by the Clinton Administration.
President Clinton, during a tour of Europe, calls for the continuation of peace efforts in Northern Ireland to address the longstanding conflict between Irish Protestants and Catholics over economic and political autonomy.
Clinton signed legislation funding the government through September 1996 and putting all Federal workers back on the job after the government shutdown.
Clinton vetoed the 'Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Act' reforming welfare because it was considered to do too little to move people from welfare to work.
The President delivered the Annual State of the Union Address and declared 'The era of big government is over.'
President Clinton and Vice President Gore achieved the first major overhaul of the telecommunications laws in 60 years, opening up competition between local telephone companies, long distance providers, and cable companies. The reform also required the use of new V-chip technology to enable families to exercise greater control over television programming and contained the Vice President's E-Rate proposal for low-cost Internet connections for schools, libraries, rural health clinics, and hospitals.
President Clinton took steps to offer support and make it easier for schools to voluntarily adopt school uniforms.
President Clinton grants Irish Nationalist leader Gerry Adams a visa.
The President signed the Line Item Veto Act, allowing the veto of certain provisions of a bill five days after signing.
President vetoes partial birth abortion legislation due to concerns about women's safety.
President Clinton signed the Antiterrorism and Effective Death Penalty Act into law at the White House. The law was a response to the devastation of the federal building in Oklahoma City and included measures to combat terrorism at home and abroad.
President signs omnibus appropriations bill, expressing satisfaction with its alignment to his objectives.
President Clinton uses his veto power to reject a bill that aimed to outlaw certain types of late-term abortions, including partial birth abortion. He strongly supports the 'right to choose' and advocates for safe, legal, and rare abortions in the United States.
President Clinton announces that American troops will likely stay in Bosnia as part of an international peacekeeping force for an additional eighteen months.
Megan's Law was signed by the President to mandate states to inform communities about the presence of dangerous sexual predators. It was an extension of the provisions in the 1994 Crime Bill and the Jacob Wetterling Crimes Against Children and Sexually Violent Offender Registration Act.
Trial examines the Clintons' involvement in a real estate investment venture, leading to the conviction of former business partners for fraud.
The President issued a memorandum requiring participants in federal training programs for welfare recipients to agree to work within two years or face the risk of losing their federal assistance.
President Clinton directed the Food and Drug Administration to implement a regulation mandating manufacturers to conduct studies on pediatric populations for new and existing prescription drugs to ensure they are adequately tested for children's unique needs.
President Clinton and Vice President Gore successfully advocated for a 90-cent per hour increase in the minimum wage, benefiting 10 million workers. This marked the largest single-year increase in 1996, following a 6-year period without any increase.
The Small Business Job Protection Act was signed into law, increasing the minimum wage from $4.25 to $5.15 in two steps.
Bill Clinton signed the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act into law on August 22, 1996, reforming the welfare system in the United States.
The proposal for an education campaign to prevent kids from smoking took effect when new FDA regulations were announced on August 23, 1996.
The America Reads Child Literacy Initiative was launched during the Clinton-Gore Administration, aiming to improve child literacy across the nation.
On August 30, 1996, Bill Clinton was nominated for a second term at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago and delivered his acceptance speech. He went on to be reelected as President on November 5, defeating Senator Bob Dole by 379-159 electoral votes.
Bill Clinton accepted the Democratic nomination for the Presidency.
President Clinton designated the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, preserving remote canyons and paleontological sites. This action marked the first designation of a National Monument by a President since 1978.
Bill Clinton was reelected as the President of the United States, securing 70% of the electoral vote and 49% of the popular vote, defeating Republican Robert Dole and Reform Candidate H. Ross Perot.
President Clinton selects Madeline Albright, the American ambassador to the United Nations, to serve as his Secretary of State. After winning Senate confirmation, Albright is sworn in on January 23, 1997, becoming the first women to hold the position.
Bill Clinton announced the National AIDS Strategy, outlining the government's plan to address the AIDS epidemic in the United States.
Bill Clinton delivered his Inaugural Address, outlining his vision and plans for his second term as the President of the United States.
President Bill Clinton increased his support for the Chemical Weapons Convention, urging Congress and the American people to back the treaty in his 1997 State of the Union Address.
Bill Clinton delivered the State of the Union Address, highlighting the achievements and goals of his administration.
The medical community was urged to adopt a voluntary moratorium on the cloning of human beings through an Executive Memorandum on March 4, 1997.
The Senate votes 99-0 to approve an investigation into the “improper” and “illegal” fund-raising tactics of both the White House and members of Congress. Allegations by Republicans and some Democrats of illegal fund raising by the Clinton White House spur the investigation.
The Senate ratified the Chemical Weapons Convention on April 24, 1997, making the production, acquisition, stockpiling, transfer, and use of chemical weapons illegal.
The Senate ratified the Chemical Weapons Convention on April 25, 1997, marking a bipartisan effort. Presidents Reagan and Bush negotiated and signed the convention, while President Clinton struggled to secure its ratification due to concerns about comparative disadvantage and political changes.
In May 1997, the Clinton administration and Republican congressional leaders reached an agreement on a five-year budget plan aimed at eliminating the budget deficit. The plan was made possible by the strong economy in recent years.
The Welfare to Work Partnership was launched at the President's urging on May 20, 1997, to lead the national business effort to hire people from the welfare rolls. It has helped an estimated 1.1 million welfare recipients move to employment.
On May 27, 1997, Paula Jones filed a sexual harassment lawsuit against President Bill Clinton. This legal case would later have significant political and legal implications for the Clinton administration.
The Supreme Court decides that a president can be sued in a private matter from before taking office, impacting the legal standing of presidents in civil cases.
On July 16, 1997, the President approved the strongest air quality standards in history to control pollution from smog and soot. The standards were expected to prevent 15,000 premature deaths every year and improve the lives of millions of Americans suffering from respiratory illness. However, enforcement of the new standards was delayed by court action.
The Supreme Court rules that Paula Jones can pursue her sexual harassment lawsuit against President Clinton, even while he is in office, impacting the scope of presidential power and the future of the Clinton presidency.
On August 9, 1997, President Clinton issued an Executive Order to protect Federal Government employees and the public from tobacco smoke exposure in the Federal workplace, while also encouraging the establishment of smoke-free programs in Federal agencies.
The Balanced Budget Act, which proposes to balance the budget by 2002, is signed.
President Clinton hosts a state visit for President Jiang Zemin of China, strengthening diplomatic ties between the two nations.
President Clinton orders the United States government to contribute $3 billion to an international bail-out of Indonesia totaling over $22 billion, aiming to stabilize the shaky financial situation in Southeast Asia.
White House Conference on Hate Crimes takes place.
On December 12, 1997, with critical leadership from the Clinton-Gore Administration, 160 nations agreed on the basic architecture of a strategy to combat global warming. This agreement marked the first time that major nations committed themselves to a comprehensive plan to cut greenhouse gas emissions.
President Clinton initiated an effort to improve child care for working families in the United States, addressing the challenges of affordability, trust, and reliability.
Kenneth Starr was allowed to expand his investigation to include allegations of a Clinton sexual affair with a White House intern (Monica Lewinsky).
President Clinton publicly denies allegations of having sexual relations with Monica Lewinsky and of telling anyone to lie about it.
President Clinton faces allegations of a sexual relationship with Monica Lewinsky, a former White House intern. He vehemently denies the accusations, stating that he did not have sexual relations with her.
Kenneth Starr was allowed to expand his investigation to include allegations of a Clinton sexual affair with a White House intern (Monica Lewinsky).
On January 27, 1998, President Clinton delivers his State of the Union address amidst the sexual controversy, marking a significant moment in his presidency.
President Bill Clinton's affair with White House intern Monica Lewinsky led to a scandal that had significant political and moral implications. It sparked a furious debate over impeachment and raised questions about the President's moral leadership.
The President issued a memorandum prohibiting the use of federal funds to clone human beings due to ethical concerns raised by advances in cloning technology.
President Clinton embarks on a significant six-country, 12-day tour of Africa, with a special focus on highlighting the history of American Slavery. This marks the first such visit by an American President since 1978.
A judge dismisses Paula Jones's sexual harassment lawsuit against President Clinton, marking a significant legal development in the allegations against him.
Catholic and Protestant leaders in Northern Ireland sign the “Good Friday Peace Accords,” a substantial agreement in the Northern Ireland peace process. President Clinton played a pivotal role in bringing about the agreement through personal appeals to leaders on both sides.
President Clinton played a key role in finalizing the Good Friday Peace Accords, a significant peace agreement involving all major parties in the Northern Ireland conflict. The accord is seen as a major step towards achieving a fair and enduring peace in Northern Ireland.
President Clinton initiated a new nursing home quality initiative in July 1998, which included swift and strong penalties for non-compliant nursing homes, strengthened oversight of state enforcement mechanisms, and efforts to improve nutrition and prevent bed sores.
Terrorists bombed the American embassies in Kenya and Tanzania, resulting in the deaths of 224 people, including 20 Americans. United States intelligence suspected Osama bin Laden, a Saudi exile and alleged terrorist leader, to be behind the attacks.
Terrorists bomb U.S. embassies in Kenya and Tanzania, causing significant destruction and loss of life.
Orders missile strikes against targets in Afghanistan and Sudan in response to the embassy bombings in Kenya and Tanzania.
The full report on the Lewinsky incident, which had previously been provided to Congress, is released to the public. This event garnered significant public and media attention.
The embassy bombings are now recognized as precursors to the September 11 attacks, highlighting the treachery of shadowy and committed opponents who targeted both military and civilian personnel.
The Starr Report, which is a detailed investigation report, is released to the public.
On October 7, 1998, an organization to administer student aid was established.
On October 21, 1998, Congress agreed to provide $1.2 billion for the first year of the President's new initiative to hire 100,000 new teachers to reduce class size in the early grades to a national average of 18.
Israeli leader Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat sign the Wye River Memorandum after nine days of negotiations in rural Maryland, mediated by President Clinton. The agreement includes a three-stage withdrawal of Israeli troops from the West Bank.
President Clinton orders a three-day bombing attack against Iraq after Saddam Hussein's refusal to cooperate with United Nations weapons inspectors.
The House of Representatives votes to impeach President Bill Clinton on charges of perjury and obstruction of justice.
The Senate impeachment trial of President Bill Clinton commenced on charges brought forward by the House of Representatives.
The Senate trial of President Clinton commences on January 14, 1999. Despite the trial, Clinton's popularity remains high, as indicated by the polls conducted during his State of the Union address on January 20.
During the State of the Union Address, there was no mention of the ongoing impeachment trial of President Bill Clinton.
On January 20, 1999, President Clinton delivered his State of the Union address to a joint session of Congress amidst an ongoing impeachment trial. Despite the impeachment process, public opinion polls showed Clinton with his highest approval ratings.
President Clinton is acquitted of impeachment charges by the U.S. Senate. He expresses profound regret for his actions that led to the events.
Teenagers Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold open fire at Columbine High School in Littleton, Colorado, killing 12 students and one teacher and wounding 23. The incident sparks public outrage and leads to a renewed debate on gun control.
The President addressed the nation regarding the conclusion of the NATO campaign in Serbia, following an agreement reached between the International Security Force and the Governments of Yugoslavia and Serbia.
President Clinton announced new regulations to protect the privacy of personal medical records, providing consumers with greater access and control over their records, and establishing new disclosure requirements for researchers and others seeking access to health records.
President Clinton signed a significant increase in 21st Century Community Learning Centers, expanding the federal investment in after-school and summer school programs from a small pilot project. This initiative currently serves over 850,000 Americans nationwide, and will serve 1.3 million children next year.
President Clinton insisted that Congress pass the Work Incentives Improvement Act as a condition of the budget agreement. This bipartisan Act allows people with disabilities to maintain their Medicare or Medicaid coverage when they go to work. It represents one of the most important legislative advances for people with disabilities since the enactment of the Americans with Disabilities Act.
In April 2000, the House and Senate unanimously voted to eliminate the retirement earnings test for people above the normal retirement age, as proposed by the President in his January 1999 State of the Union Address.
In April 2000, President Clinton signed a proclamation creating the Giant Sequoia National Monument, which covers 328,000 acres and ensures lasting protection for 34 groves of ancient sequoias, the largest trees on Earth.
President Clinton sends a bill to Congress asking for permanent normal trade relations with China. After securing House and Senate approval, Clinton signs the bill on October 10.
The Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act was signed into law on June 30, 2000. It removed legal barriers to using electronic technology for contracts, document collection, and notices. The act also provided protections for online consumers, ensuring their safety in transactions.
President Clinton signed the first new campaign finance reform legislation in 20 years on July 1, 2000. The legislation closed a loophole that allowed tax-exempt groups to use undisclosed donors for political ad campaigns.
President Clinton hosts a summit at Camp David, Maryland, aiming to facilitate a peace agreement between Ehud Barak and Yasir Arafat. Unfortunately, the talks collapse after two weeks.
President Clinton proposed a new aid package to bolster democracy and combat drug trafficking in Colombia. The agreement aimed to enhance alternative development, strengthen civil justice and democratic institutions, and provide assistance to reduce the flow of cocaine and other narcotics to the United States.
President Clinton delivers a speech at the Ministers' Leadership Conference in South Barrington, Illinois, addressing his affair, presidency, and quest for forgiveness.
President Clinton hosts Israeli leader Ehud Barak and Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat at Camp David in the hope of reaching a peace agreement. After two weeks of unsuccessful talks, the summit breaks up with no agreement.
President Clinton speaks on the opening day of the Democratic National Convention, setting the stage for Al Gore's acceptance of the party's nomination for president.
Independent Counsel Robert Ray announces the closure of the Whitewater investigation, stating insufficient evidence for criminal charges against the president and first lady after a six-year investigation costing over $50 million.
The President urges Congress to address the issue of 'Big Tobacco', possibly referring to regulations or legislation related to the tobacco industry.
The Act was a crucial step to complete a major trade goal of the Clinton-Gore Administration, opening China's markets to American manufactured goods, farm products and services by allowing China to become part of the
The President signs a bill establishing permanent normal trade relations with China, indicating a significant development in the trade relationship between the two countries.
A terrorist attack on the USS Cole in the port of Aden, Yemen kills 17 sailors, marking a tragic event in the history of terrorism and maritime security.
President Clinton enacted legislation on October 24, 2000, to provide a new Medicaid option for uninsured women with breast and cervical cancer, eliminating financial barriers to treatment.
President Clinton signed the Victims of Trafficking and Violence Prevention Act of 2000 on October 27, expanding and strengthening the Violence Against Women Act.
The President signs an act dealing with human trafficking and violence against women, demonstrating a commitment to addressing these critical issues.
The vote count in Florida on Election Day was inconclusive, leading to a lack of a declared winner. This sparked a controversy and legal battles, with documents related to the ensuing controversy being made available.
Vice President Gore concedes the presidential race to George W. Bush following a 5-4 Supreme Court ruling that makes it impossible to recount contested Florida votes.
Bill Clinton grants pardons to 140 people including Marc Rich, a commodities trader who had fled to Switzerland to avoid prosecution for a variety of offenses. After the pardon it became known that Mr. Rich’s former wife had made large donations to the Democratic Party and the Clinton library.
President Clinton implemented the Patients' Bill of Rights for Federal Health Plans to ensure essential health protections for 85 million Americans in federal health plans.
The William J. Clinton Presidential Library and Museum opened on November 18, 2004, showcasing the life and presidency of Bill Clinton.
President Clinton worked alongside former Presidents George H. W. Bush, and George W. Bush in disaster relief efforts for the tsunami in South Asia.
The University of Arkansas acquires the former Clinton home at 930 California Boulevard on August 24, 2005, which later becomes the Clinton House Museum.
President Clinton worked alongside former Presidents George H. W. Bush, and George W. Bush in disaster relief efforts for Hurricane Katrina in the United States.
On August 3, 2008, former US President Bill Clinton greeted a crowd while touring an outdoor market in Monrovia, Liberia.
President Clinton worked alongside former Presidents George H. W. Bush, and George W. Bush in disaster relief efforts for the earthquake in Haiti.
The Clinton House was added to the National Register of Historic Places on January 22. Later, the street in front of the Clinton House was renamed to Clinton Drive by the Fayetteville City Council on August 3.
In 2013, Bill Clinton was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, recognizing his significant contributions to the United States. This prestigious honor highlighted his impact on the nation.
President Clinton signed proclamations to establish four new national monuments, including the Canyons of the Ancients National Monument in southwest Colorado and the Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument. These monuments were created to protect unique and irreplaceable pieces of America's natural and cultural heritage.