History of Bill Clinton in Timeline
Bill Clinton, the 42nd U.S. President (1993-2001), is a prominent American politician and lawyer. A Democrat, he previously served as Arkansas's Attorney General (1977-1979) and Governor (1979-1981, 1983-1992). Clinton's presidency was characterized by centrist "Third Way" policies, establishing him as a "New Democrat".
1933: Glass-Steagall Act Enacted
The Glass-Steagall Act which Clinton repealed part of in 1999, had prohibited a bank from offering a full range of investment, commercial banking, and insurance services since its enactment in 1933.
September 4, 1943: Marriage of William Jefferson Blythe Jr. and Virginia Dell Cassidy
On September 4, 1943, William Jefferson Blythe Jr. and Virginia Dell Cassidy married. However, the union was later discovered to be bigamous.
August 19, 1946: Birth of Bill Clinton
On August 19, 1946, William Jefferson Blythe III, later known as Bill Clinton, was born in Hope, Arkansas.
August 19, 1946: Bill Clinton's Birth
On August 19, 1946, William Jefferson Blythe III, later known as Bill Clinton, was born.
1950: Family Moved to Hot Springs
In 1950, Bill Clinton's family moved to Hot Springs, Arkansas, after his mother remarried Roger Clinton Sr.
1961: Membership in the Order of DeMolay
In 1961, Bill Clinton became a member of the Hot Springs Chapter of the Order of DeMolay.
1963: Influential Moments in Clinton's Life
In 1963, Bill Clinton identified two influential moments that contributed to his decision to become a public figure: meeting President John F. Kennedy and watching Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I Have a Dream" speech.
1964: First executions in Arkansas since 1964
During Bill Clinton's final term as governor, Arkansas performed its first executions since 1964.
1964: Election as Class President
In 1964, Bill Clinton won election as class president at Georgetown University.
1965: Election as Class President
In 1965, Bill Clinton won election as class president at Georgetown University.
1967: Internship for Senator J. William Fulbright
From 1964 to 1967, Bill Clinton was an intern and then a clerk in the office of Arkansas Senator J. William Fulbright.
1968: Graduation from Georgetown University
In 1968, Bill Clinton graduated from Georgetown University.
1968: Rhodes Scholarship to Oxford
In 1968, Bill Clinton won a Rhodes Scholarship to University College, Oxford.
1969: Budget Surplus
In 1969, The Congressional Budget Office reported a budget surplus.
1971: Meeting Hillary Rodham
In 1971, Bill Clinton met his future wife, Hillary Rodham, at Yale Law Library.
1971: Frank Aller's Suicide
In 1971, Frank Aller's suicide had a significant impact on Bill Clinton.
1972: Leading McGovern's Campaign in Texas
In 1972, Bill Clinton moved to Texas to lead George McGovern's campaign efforts there, working alongside Ron Kirk, Ann Richards, and Steven Spielberg.
1972: Involvement in George McGovern Campaign
In 1972, Bill Clinton postponed his summer plans to work for the George McGovern campaign and moved in with Hillary Rodham in California.
1973: Graduation from Yale Law School
In 1973, Bill Clinton earned a Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from Yale Law School.
1974: Campaign for the House of Representatives
In 1974, Bill Clinton ran for the House of Representatives but was defeated by incumbent John Paul Hammerschmidt.
October 11, 1975: Marriage to Hillary Rodham
On October 11, 1975, Bill Clinton married Hillary Rodham in Fayetteville, Arkansas. They met while studying at Yale University.
1976: Election as Arkansas Attorney General
In 1976, Bill Clinton was elected as the attorney general of Arkansas.
1976: Reinstatement of the death penalty
The death penalty had been reinstated in Arkansas in 1976.
1977: Attorney General of Arkansas
In 1977, Bill Clinton served as the attorney general of Arkansas.
1978: Defeated Lowe for governor
In 1978, Bill Clinton defeated Lowe for governor.
1978: Arkansas Gubernatorial Primary
In 1978, Bill Clinton entered the Arkansas gubernatorial primary.
1978: Election as Governor of Arkansas
In 1978, Bill Clinton was elected governor of Arkansas, becoming the youngest governor in the country at the time.
1978: Alleged rape by Juanita Broaddrick
In the spring of 1978, Juanita Broaddrick alleged that Clinton had raped her, although she said she did not remember the exact date. Broaddrick notes that she told multiple witnesses in 1978 she had been raped by Clinton.
1979: Governor of Arkansas
In 1979, Bill Clinton served as the governor of Arkansas.
February 27, 1980: Birth of Chelsea Clinton
On February 27, 1980, Bill and Hillary Clinton's only child, Chelsea Clinton, was born.
1980: Defeat in Gubernatorial Election
In 1980, Bill Clinton was defeated by Frank D. White in the Arkansas gubernatorial election.
1980: Commencement speaker at Georgetown University
In 1980, Bill Clinton was the commencement speaker at Georgetown University, his alma mater, where he also received an honorary degree.
1980: "Slick Willie" nickname
In 1980, Pine Bluff Commercial journalist Paul Greenberg first applied the nickname "Slick Willie" to Clinton.
January 1981: Left office and joined law firm
In January 1981, Bill Clinton left office and joined Bruce Lindsey's law firm, Wright, Lindsey and Jennings, in Little Rock.
1981: Governor of Arkansas
In 1981, Bill Clinton served as the governor of Arkansas.
1982: Defeated White for governor
In 1982, Bill Clinton defeated White for governor.
1982: Elected Governor of Arkansas
In 1982, Bill Clinton was elected governor of Arkansas for a second time, an office he held for ten years.
September 1983: Education reforms passed
In September 1983, Bill Clinton's proposed reforms to the Arkansas education system, including increased spending and compulsory teacher competency exams, were passed after a special legislative session.
1983: Governor of Arkansas
In 1983, Bill Clinton served as the governor of Arkansas.
1984: Defeated Freeman for governor
In 1984, Bill Clinton defeated Woody Freeman for governor.
1984: Reagan's landslide victory
In light of President Ronald Reagan's landslide victory in 1984, the Democratic Party needed to adopt a more centrist political stance in order to succeed at the national level.
1985: Response to State of the Union Address
In 1985, Bill Clinton delivered the Democratic response to President Ronald Reagan's State of the Union Address.
1985: Roger Clinton sentenced to prison
In 1985, Bill Clinton's half-brother Roger was sentenced to prison for possession and smuggling of cocaine.
1986: Arkansas gubernatorial term change and National Governors Association chair
In 1986, Arkansas changed its gubernatorial term from two to four years, and Bill Clinton served as chair of the National Governors Association from 1986 to 1987.
1986: Defeated White for governor
In 1986, Bill Clinton defeated White for governor.
1987: Chair of the National Governors Association
From 1986 to 1987, Bill Clinton served as chair of the National Governors Association, bringing him to an audience beyond Arkansas.
1987: Killing of Don Henry and Kevin Ives
In 1987, the killing of Don Henry and Kevin Ives started various conspiracy theories that accused Bill Clinton and the Arkansas state authorities of covering up the crime.
1987: Media speculation about presidential race
In 1987, the media speculated that Bill Clinton would enter the presidential race, but he decided to remain as Arkansas governor.
1988: Democratic National Convention speech
In 1988, Bill Clinton gave the opening night address at the Democratic National Convention, which was criticized for being too long.
1990: Defeated Nelson for governor
In 1990, Bill Clinton defeated Sheffield Nelson for governor.
1990: Headed the Democratic Leadership Council
In 1990, Bill Clinton headed the moderate Democratic Leadership Council.
December 1991: Clinton says abortion should be kept "safe, legal, and rare"
In December 1991, while campaigning, Bill Clinton first used the slogan that abortion should be kept "safe, legal, and rare".
1991: Headed the Democratic Leadership Council
In 1991, Bill Clinton headed the moderate Democratic Leadership Council.
1991: Unwanted advances towards Paula Jones
In 1991, Paula Jones claimed that Clinton had made unwanted advances towards her.
March 26, 1992: "I feel your pain" response at fundraiser
On March 26, 1992, during a Democratic fund raiser of the presidential campaign, Robert Rafsky confronted then Gov. Bill Clinton of Arkansas and asked what he was going to do about AIDS, to which Clinton replied, "I feel your pain".
1992: Unique characteristics of the 1992 election
According to Seymour Martin Lipset, the 1992 election had several unique characteristics, the voters felt that economic conditions were worse than they actually were, which harmed Bush, also, a rare event was the presence of a strong third-party candidate.
1992: Named Time's "Man of the Year"
Bill Clinton was selected as Time's "Man of the Year" in 1992.
1992: Clinton's stance on capital punishment
By 1992, Bill Clinton insisted that Democrats "should no longer feel guilty about protecting the innocent", indicating a shift in his stance on capital punishment. He flew home to Arkansas mid-campaign in 1992, in order to affirm in person that the controversial execution of Ricky Ray Rector would go forward as scheduled.
1992: Allegations Regarding Draft Manipulation
During the 1992 presidential campaign, Colonel Eugene Holmes issued a statement alleging that Bill Clinton attempted to manipulate the ROTC application process to avoid the draft.
1992: Draft Controversy During Presidential Campaign
During the 1992 presidential campaign, it was revealed that Bill Clinton's uncle had attempted to secure him a position in the Navy Reserve to avoid deployment to Vietnam.
1992: Governor of Arkansas
In 1992, Bill Clinton served as the governor of Arkansas.
1992: Elected President of the United States
In 1992, Bill Clinton was elected president of the United States, defeating George H. W. Bush and Ross Perot.
1992: Won the 1992 presidential election
In 1992, Bill Clinton won the presidential election against George H. W. Bush and Ross Perot, ending twelve years of Republican rule. Bush's steep decline in public approval was a significant part of Clinton's success.
1992: Peace Envoy Proposal to Northern Ireland
In 1992, before his presidency, Bill Clinton proposed sending a peace envoy to Northern Ireland but dropped it to avoid tensions with the British government.
1992: Clinton Faced Bush and Perot in the Election
In the 1992 election, Bill Clinton faced George H.W. Bush and Ross Perot.
1992: "Bubba" nickname
Starting from the 1992 presidential election, Clinton's folksy manner led him to be nicknamed Bubba.
January 20, 1993: Inauguration as 42nd President
On January 20, 1993, Bill Clinton was inaugurated as the 42nd president of the United States.
January 22, 1993: Reversed Restrictions on Family Planning Programs
On January 22, 1993, Bill Clinton reversed restrictions imposed by Reagan and Bush on domestic and international family planning programs.
February 15, 1993: First address to the nation
On February 15, 1993, President Bill Clinton made his first address to the nation, announcing his plan to raise taxes to close a budget deficit.
April 19, 1993: Waco siege operation
On April 19, 1993, the FBI used tear gas on the Branch Davidian community near Waco, Texas, resulting in a fire and the deaths of 75 residents, including 24 children. The raid had originally been planned by the Bush administration; Clinton had played no role.
May 19, 1993: Firing of White House Travel Office Employees
On May 19, 1993, Bill Clinton fired seven employees of the White House Travel Office, leading to the White House travel office controversy. Critics alleged this was to allow Clinton's friends to take over the travel business, while the White House cited financial improprieties uncovered by an FBI investigation.
September 1993: Oslo Accords signed
In September 1993, secret negotiations mediated by Clinton between Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin and Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) Chairman Yasser Arafat led to a historic declaration of peace, called the Oslo Accords, which were signed at the White House on September 13.
September 22, 1993: Health care reform speech
On September 22, 1993, President Bill Clinton delivered a major speech to Congress regarding a health care reform plan. The program aimed at achieving universal coverage through a national health care plan.
November 1993: David Hale Alleges Clinton Pressured Him for Illegal Loan
In November 1993, David Hale alleged that Bill Clinton, while governor of Arkansas, pressured him to provide an illegal $300,000 loan to Susan McDougal, the Clintons' partner in the Whitewater land deal, sparking the Whitewater controversy.
November 30, 1993: Signed the Brady Bill into law
On November 30, 1993, Bill Clinton signed the Brady Bill into law, mandating federal background checks on firearm purchases.
1993: Epstein Visits the White House
Beginning in 1993, Jeffrey Epstein visited the White House at least 17 times between 1993 and 1995 while Clinton was president.
1993: President of the United States
In 1993, Bill Clinton began his service as the 42nd president of the United States.
1993: Clinton Pressures European Leaders on Bosnia
In 1993, Bill Clinton pressured Western European leaders to adopt a strong military policy against Bosnian Serbs during the Bosnian War.
1993: Signed the Family and Medical Leave Act
In 1993, Bill Clinton signed the Family and Medical Leave Act, requiring large employers to allow employees to take unpaid leave for pregnancy or serious medical conditions.
1993: Signed Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act
In 1993, Bill Clinton signed the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act, which cut taxes for low-income families and small businesses, raised taxes on the wealthiest, and mandated budget balancing.
1993: Increased trade with China
In 1993, Clinton aimed to increase trade with China, minimizing import tariffs and offering the country most favored nation status. His administration minimized tariff levels in Chinese imports.
1993: Appointment of Ruth Bader Ginsburg
In 1993, Clinton appointed Ruth Bader Ginsburg to the Supreme Court.
1993: Kathleen Willey allegations
In 1993, Kathleen Willey alleged that Clinton had groped her in a hallway.
1993: Became member of Foundry United Methodist Church
In 1993, after becoming president, Bill Clinton became a member of Foundry United Methodist Church in Washington, D.C. with his wife.
1993: Battle of Mogadishu
In 1993, during the Battle of Mogadishu, two U.S. helicopters were shot down, resulting in the deaths of 18 American soldiers and prompting a drop in support for American intervention in Somalia.
January 1, 1994: Clinton Signs NAFTA Into Law
On January 1, 1994, President Clinton signed the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) into law, solidifying his support for free trade despite opposition from within his own party and from Republicans.
April 1994: Rwandan Genocide
In April 1994, genocide broke out in Rwanda, and despite being aware of the unfolding crisis, Bill Clinton chose not to intervene, fearing a repeat of the events in Somalia. He later called this one of his main foreign policy failings.
July 29, 1994: White House Launches First Official Website
On July 29, 1994, the Clinton administration launched the first official White House website, whitehouse.gov, marking the beginning of a push towards web-based communication within the government.
August 1994: Health care reform failure
In August 1994, compromise legislation by George J. Mitchell failed to gain a majority of support, causing the effort to create a national health care system to ultimately die. The failure of the bill was the first major legislative defeat of the Clinton administration.
September 1994: Omnibus Crime Bill Signed Into Law
In September 1994, President Clinton signed the Omnibus Crime Bill into law, expanding the death penalty to include non-fatal crimes like running a large-scale drug enterprise and implementing an assault weapons ban for a ten-year period.
1994: Clinton Declares Iran a "Rogue State"
In 1994, Bill Clinton declared that Iran was a "state sponsor of terrorism" and a "rogue state", marking the first time an American President used that term, and later sanctioned Iran's oil industry.
1994: Clinton Pressures European Leaders on Bosnia
In 1994, Bill Clinton pressured Western European leaders to adopt a strong military policy against Bosnian Serbs during the Bosnian War.
1994: Appointment of Stephen Breyer
In 1994, Clinton appointed Stephen Breyer to the Supreme Court.
1994: Paula Jones lawsuit
In 1994, Paula Jones initiated a sexual harassment lawsuit against Clinton, claiming he had made unwanted advances towards her in 1991; Clinton denied the allegations.
1994: Democrats Lose Control of Congress
In 1994, after two years of Democratic Party control, the Democrats lost control of Congress to the Republicans in the mid-term elections for the first time in forty years.
1994: Democrats Suffer Lopsided Defeat in National Elections
In 1994, the Democratic party experienced a significant defeat in national elections, partially influencing Clinton's chances of reelection in the upcoming 1996 election.
1994: Honorary Degree from University of Oxford
In 1994, while serving as president, Bill Clinton received an honorary Doctor of Civil Law degree and a fellowship from the University of Oxford.
November 1995: Clinton Visits Northern Ireland
In November 1995, during a ceasefire in the Troubles, Bill Clinton became the first U.S. president to visit Northern Ireland, aiming to negotiate an end to the violent conflict.
December 6, 1995: Clinton's White House Conference on HIV/AIDS
On December 6, 1995, President Clinton delivered a speech at the White House Conference on HIV/AIDS, projecting the development of a cure for AIDS and a vaccine to prevent further infection. He announced initiatives to coordinate AIDS research, integrate HIV and substance abuse prevention, and ensure equal access to healthcare for people with HIV and AIDS.
1995: Epstein Visits the White House
Ending in 1995, Jeffrey Epstein visited the White House at least 17 times between 1993 and 1995 while Clinton was president.
1995: Attended Fundraising Dinner with Epstein
In 1995, Bill Clinton attended a fundraising dinner hosted by Ron Perelman, where Jeffrey Epstein was also a guest.
1995: US and NATO Bomb Bosnian Serb Targets
In 1995, U.S. and NATO aircraft bombed Bosnian Serb targets to halt attacks on UN safe zones and pressure them into a peace accord to end the Bosnian war. Clinton deployed U.S. peacekeepers to Bosnia later that year.
1995: Clinton's Approval Rating Rebounds
In mid-1995, President Clinton's public opinion rebounded due to a recovering economy and the increasing unpopularity of congressional Republicans, following a low approval rating of 40 percent in early 1995.
May 1996: Clinton's First Documented Reference to Gay Marriage
Before May 1996, other than a brief response to a Reader's Digest question, Clinton had made no documented reference to the issue of gay marriage.
June 1996: White House FBI Files Controversy Arises
The White House FBI files controversy of June 1996 arose after the White House improperly accessed FBI security-clearance documents of former Republican administration employees.
July 17, 1996: Clinton Issues Executive Order on Federal Information Technology
On July 17, 1996, President Clinton issued Executive Order 13011, ordering federal agencies to fully utilize information technology to make agency information easily accessible to the public.
September 21, 1996: Clinton Signs the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA)
On September 21, 1996, President Clinton signed the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) into law, defining marriage for federal purposes as the legal union of one man and one woman and allowing states to refuse to recognize gay marriages performed in other states.
September 30, 1996: Clinton Signs Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act
On September 30, 1996, President Clinton signed the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act (IIRIRA) as part of an initiative to curb illegal immigration.
November 1996: Clinton Escapes Assassination Attempt in the Philippines
In November 1996, President Clinton narrowly escaped a possible assassination attempt in the Philippines via a bridge bomb planted by al-Qaeda, masterminded by Osama bin Laden.
1996: Re-election as President
In 1996, Bill Clinton won re-election as president of the United States, defeating Bob Dole and Ross Perot.
1996: Chinese Campaign Contribution Controversy
In 1996, it was discovered that several Chinese foreigners made illegal contributions to Bill Clinton's reelection campaign and the Democratic National Committee, backed by the People's Republic of China, which violated U.S. law.
1996: State Department Warning on Bin Laden
In 1996, the State Department issued a warning about Osama bin Laden, prompting responses from the Clinton administration.
1996: First Decline in New HIV/AIDS Diagnoses
In 1996, the U.S. saw the first year since the beginning of the HIV/AIDS epidemic that the number of new HIV/AIDS diagnoses declined.
1996: Employment Non-Discrimination Act Fails in Senate
In 1996, the private sector Employment Non-Discrimination Act, which was lobbied for by President Clinton, failed to pass the Senate by a single vote.
1996: 1996 United States campaign finance controversy
In 1996, there was an alleged effort by China to influence the domestic policies of the United States, before and during the Clinton administration, and involved the fundraising practices of the administration itself.
1996: Clinton Leads in Polls Against Dole
In early 1996 polls found that Clinton had a lead of up to 20 points over his likely Republican opponent Bob Dole.
January 1997: Clinton Proposes Health Coverage Initiative
In the January 1997 State of the Union address, President Clinton proposed a new initiative to provide health coverage to up to five million children.
February 1997: Lincoln Bedroom Controversy
In February 1997, it was revealed that 938 people had stayed at the White House, with 821 having donated to the Democratic Party and receiving the opportunity to stay in the Lincoln bedroom. This raised concerns about the influence of donations on access to the president.
October 1997: Clinton Announces He is Getting Hearing Aids
In October 1997, President Clinton announced he was getting hearing aids, attributing his hearing loss to his age and time spent as a musician.
1997: Significant Decline in AIDS-Related Deaths
In 1997, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported a significant 47% decline in the number of AIDS-related deaths compared to the previous year, attributed to the effectiveness of new drug therapy promoted by the Clinton Administration.
1997: Gross national debt of $5.413 trillion
In 1997, the U.S. Treasury reported a gross debt of $5.413 trillion.
March 19, 1998: Julie Hiatt Steele affidavit
On March 19, 1998, Julie Hiatt Steele released an affidavit, accusing Willey of asking her to lie to corroborate Ms. Willey's account of being sexually groped by Clinton in the Oval Office.
April 1998: Dismissal of Paula Jones case
In April 1998, the Paula Jones case was initially dismissed by Judge Susan Webber Wright on the grounds that it lacked legal merit.
August 1998: Admission of affair with Monica Lewinsky
In August 1998, Paula Jones's suit gained traction following Clinton's admission to having an affair with Monica Lewinsky.
October 1998: Settlement offer in Paula Jones case
In October 1998, Clinton's attorneys tentatively offered $700,000 to settle the Paula Jones case.
October 1998: Wye River Memorandum
In October 1998, the Wye River Memorandum occurred after Clinton attempted to end the Israeli–Palestinian conflict.
October 31, 1998: Clinton Signs Iraq Liberation Act
On October 31, 1998, Bill Clinton signed the Iraq Liberation Act, instituting a policy of "regime change" against Iraq but explicitly stating it did not provide for direct intervention by American military forces.
December 1998: Impeachment Hearings Begin
In December 1998, impeachment hearings against Bill Clinton began in the House of Representatives before the mid-term elections after the Starr Report was submitted to the House.
December 19, 1998: Clinton Impeached by the House of Representatives
On December 19, 1998, the House of Representatives voted to impeach Bill Clinton on charges of perjury and obstruction of justice related to his relationship with Monica Lewinsky, making him only the second U.S. president to be impeached.
1998: Named Time's "Man of the Year" (with Ken Starr)
Bill Clinton was selected as Time's "Man of the Year" in 1998, along with Ken Starr.
1998: Impeachment
In 1998, Bill Clinton faced impeachment due to the Lewinsky scandal, an event that has had an enduring impact on his legacy.
1998: Role in Good Friday Agreement
In 1998, Bill Clinton played a key role in the peace talks that produced the Good Friday Agreement in Northern Ireland, contributing to ending the violent conflict.
1998: Impeachment proceedings begin
In 1998, Clinton's impeachment proceedings began.
1998: Toni Morrison calls Clinton "the first black president"
In 1998, Nobel laureate Toni Morrison called Clinton "the first black president", noting similarities between his background and stereotypes of black individuals.
1998: Budget surplus of $69 billion
In 1998, during Bill Clinton's presidency, the Congressional Budget Office reported a budget surplus of $69 billion.
1998: State of the Union Address Warning on Iraq
In Bill Clinton's 1998 State of the Union Address, he warned Congress that Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein was building an arsenal of chemical, biological and nuclear weapons.
1998: Broaddrick details rape allegation in NBC interview
In a 1998 NBC interview, Juanita Broaddrick detailed the alleged rape and said she had denied (under oath) being raped only to avoid testifying about the ordeal publicly.
1998: Clinton-Lewinsky Scandal
In early 1998, the Clinton–Lewinsky scandal emerged, revealing an affair between President Clinton and Monica Lewinsky.
January 1999: Impeachment Trial in the Senate
In January 1999, Bill Clinton's impeachment trial began in the Senate, following his impeachment by the House of Representatives.
February 12, 1999: Senate Acquits Clinton of Impeachment Charges
On February 12, 1999, the Senate acquitted Bill Clinton of perjury and obstruction of justice charges, failing to reach the two-thirds majority required for conviction and removal from office. The votes were largely along party lines.
March 24, 1999: NATO bombing campaign begins
On March 24, 1999, a NATO bombing campaign against Yugoslavia, named Operation Allied Force, began after Clinton authorized the use of U.S. Armed Forces. The stated reasoning was to stop the ethnic cleansing of Albanians.
May 1999: American bombing of the Chinese embassy in Belgrade
In May 1999, relations were damaged briefly by the American bombing of the Chinese embassy in Belgrade. Clinton apologized for the bombing, stating it was accidental.
December 1999: Included in Gallup's List of Most Widely Admired People
In December 1999, Bill Clinton was among eighteen included in Gallup's List of Most Widely Admired People of the 20th Century.
1999: Attacks on Iraqi Air Defenses
In 1999, American and British aircraft in the Iraq no-fly zones attacked hostile Iraqi air defenses 166 times.
1999: Impeachment proceedings continue
In 1999, Clinton's impeachment proceedings continued.
1999: Clinton Criticizes "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" Implementation
In 1999, President Clinton criticized the implementation of the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy, stating it was "out of whack." He had implemented the policy earlier in his presidency as a compromise on allowing gay individuals to serve in the military.
1999: Clinton Signs Financial Services Modernization Act
In 1999, President Clinton signed into law the Financial Services Modernization Act (Gramm–Leach–Bliley Act), repealing part of the Glass–Steagall Act that had prohibited banks from offering a full range of financial services since 1933.
1999: Budget surplus of $126 billion
In 1999, during Bill Clinton's presidency, the Congressional Budget Office reported a budget surplus of $126 billion.
January 1, 2000: Start of Income Tax Return Period
Starting January 1, 2000, The Clinton's income tax returns showed they made $109 million over eight years.
March 2000: Independent Counsel Finds No Evidence of Crime in FBI Files Controversy
In March 2000, Independent Counsel Robert Ray determined there was no credible evidence of any crime related to the White House's improper access to FBI security-clearance documents.
July 21, 2000: Final Version of White House Website Launched
On July 21, 2000, the final version of the White House website was launched, continuing the Clinton administration's effort to increase web-based communication.
October 10, 2000: Signing of United States–China Relations Act
On October 10, 2000, Clinton signed into law the United States–China Relations Act of 2000, which granted permanent normal trade relations (PNTR) trade status to China.
December 2000: Attempt at Bolling Air Force Base
In December 2000, another attempt to end the Israeli-Palestinian conflict occurred at Bolling Air Force Base, in which the president offered the Clinton Parameters.
2000: Attacks on Iraqi Air Defenses
In 2000, American and British aircraft in the Iraq no-fly zones attacked hostile Iraqi air defenses 78 times.
2000: Budget surplus of $236 billion
In 2000, during Bill Clinton's presidency, the Congressional Budget Office reported a budget surplus of $236 billion.
2000: "The Big Dog" nickname
Since 2000, Clinton has frequently been referred to as "The Big Dog" or "Big Dog".
January 2001: Start of Earnings Reporting Period
Starting January 2001, Forbes reported Bill and Hillary Clinton made about $240 million over 15 years.
January 19, 2001: Clinton's Law License Suspended
On January 19, 2001, Bill Clinton's law license was suspended for five years after he admitted to conduct prejudicial to the administration of justice in the Jones case.
January 20, 2001: Clinton Issues Pardons on Last Day in Office
On January 20, 2001, his last day in office, Bill Clinton issued 141 pardons and 36 commutations, including controversial pardons for Marc Rich and figures involved in the Whitewater scandal.
December 5, 2001: Opening of the Clinton Presidential Center
The Clinton Presidential Center was opened in Little Rock, Arkansas, in honor of Bill Clinton on December 5, 2001.
2001: Departure from Office
In 2001, Bill Clinton left office with a high approval rating.
2001: Received NAACP's President's Award
In 2001, Bill Clinton received the NAACP's President's Award.
2001: End of Presidential Term
In 2001, Bill Clinton's term as the 42nd president of the United States came to an end.
2001: Kosovo court ruling on genocide
In 2001, the UN-supervised Supreme Court of Kosovo ruled that genocide did not take place, but recognized a systematic campaign of terror with the intention being the forceful departure of the Albanian population.
2001: Paid Speeches After Leaving Office
Since leaving office in 2001, Bill Clinton has given dozens of paid speeches each year, earning between $100,000 to $300,000 per speech.
2002: Clinton warns against pre-emptive action against Iraq
In 2002, Bill Clinton cautioned that pre-emptive military action against Iraq would have unwelcome consequences.
2002: Reported visit to Little St. James Island
In 2002, Clinton reportedly used Epstein's private jet to visit Little St. James Island. Virginia Roberts stated that Clinton traveled to Epstein's retreat on Little St. James in 2002.
2002: Gallup poll on Clinton's job as president
In 2002, a Gallup poll showed that 61 percent of Americans approved of the job Clinton did as president.
2002: Clinton Spokesperson Praises Jeffrey Epstein
In 2002, a spokesperson for Clinton praised Jeffrey Epstein as "a committed philanthropist".
January 2003: Clinton visited Epstein's island
According to former Clinton aide, Doug Band, Clinton visited Epstein's island in January 2003.
2003: Grammy Award for Best Spoken Word Album for Children
In 2003, Bill Clinton, along with Mikhail Gorbachev and Sophia Loren, received the Grammy Award for Best Spoken Word Album for Children for Wolf Tracks and Peter and the Wolf.
2003: Clinton's Final Trip on Epstein's Plane
In 2003, President Clinton took his final trips on Jeffrey Epstein's airplane.
September 2004: Underwent quadruple bypass surgery
In September 2004, Bill Clinton underwent quadruple bypass surgery.
2004: Appointment to Head Tsunami Relief Effort
In 2004, following the Asian tsunami, Kofi Annan appointed Bill Clinton to head a relief effort.
2004: Clinton Presidential Center Dedicated and Autobiography Released
In 2004, the William J. Clinton Presidential Center and Park was dedicated, and Clinton released his best-selling autobiography, 'My Life'.
January 2005: Establishment of Bush-Clinton Tsunami Fund
In January 2005, Bill Clinton joined George H.W. Bush to establish the Bush-Clinton Tsunami Fund.
March 2005: Underwent surgery for collapsed lung
In March 2005, Bill Clinton underwent surgery for a partially collapsed lung.
2005: Reported visits to Little St. James Island
Between 2002 and 2005, Clinton reportedly used Epstein's private jet to visit Little St. James Island on multiple occasions.
2005: Clinton criticizes Bush administration on emissions control
In 2005, Bill Clinton criticized the Bush administration's handling of emissions control at the United Nations Climate Change conference in Montreal.
2005: Clinton Global Initiative Begun
In 2005, the Clinton Foundation started the Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) to address global issues. Also in 2005, Clinton announced an agreement to stop selling sugary drinks in schools through his foundation.
2005: Grammy and Audie Award for 'My Life' audiobook
In 2005, the audiobook edition of Bill Clinton's autobiography, 'My Life', read by Clinton himself, won the Grammy Award for Best Spoken Word Album, as well as the Audie Award as the Audiobook of the Year.
May 2006: CNN poll on Clinton vs. Bush
In May 2006, a CNN poll compared Clinton's job performance with that of his successor, George W. Bush, and found that a strong majority of respondents said Clinton outperformed Bush in six different areas questioned.
June 2006: Gallup poll on approval of Clinton
In June 2006, a Gallup poll found that 61 percent of Americans said they approved of the job Clinton did as president.
2006: Death of Slobodan Milošević
In 2006, Slobodan Milošević, the president of Yugoslavia at the time of the atrocities, died before the completion of his trial at the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia.
2006: Clinton Foundation Joins Climate Leadership Group
In 2006, the Clinton Foundation partnered with the Large Cities Climate Leadership Group to improve cooperation among cities, and Clinton met with foreign leaders to promote the initiative.
April 2007: Appearance at Boris Yeltsin's Funeral
In April 2007, Bill Clinton and George H.W. Bush spoke together at Boris Yeltsin's funeral.
2007: Gallup poll on greatest presidents
A Gallup poll in 2007 showed that Clinton was regarded by 13 percent of Americans as the greatest president in U.S. history.
2007: Grammy nomination for 'Giving' audiobook
In 2007, Bill Clinton received a Grammy nomination for his audiobook, 'Giving: How Each of Us Can Change the World'.
2007: Release of "Giving: How Each of Us Can Change the World"
In 2007, Clinton released "Giving: How Each of Us Can Change the World," which became a New York Times Best Seller.
December 31, 2007: End of Income Tax Return Period
Ending December 31, 2007, the Clinton's income tax returns showed they made $109 million over eight years.
August 27, 2008: Endorsement of Barack Obama at the Democratic National Convention
On August 27, 2008, Bill Clinton enthusiastically endorsed Barack Obama at the 2008 Democratic National Convention.
2008: Campaigning for Hillary Clinton's Presidential Campaign
In 2008, Bill Clinton campaigned for his wife's presidential campaign.
2008: Deals to Reduce Anti-Malaria Drug Prices Announced
In 2008, Foundation director Inder Singh announced deals to reduce the price of anti-malaria drugs by 30 percent in developing nations. Clinton also spoke in favor of California Proposition 87 on alternative energy.
2008: Report on Clintons' Income
In 2008, The New York Times reported that the Clintons' income tax returns showed they made $109 million in the eight years from January 1, 2000, to December 31, 2007.
July 2009: Clinton Comes Out for Gay Marriage
In July 2009, Bill Clinton publicly came out in support of gay marriage.
2009: Clinton Travels to North Korea
In 2009, Bill Clinton traveled to North Korea to secure the release of two imprisoned American journalists, Euna Lee and Laura Ling.
2009: Named UN Special Envoy to Haiti
In 2009, Bill Clinton was named United Nations Special Envoy to Haiti, following a series of hurricanes.
January 12, 2010: Haiti earthquake
The text mentions the earthquake of January 12, 2010 in Haiti, in reference to Clinton's contribution to the country's reconstruction efforts.
February 11, 2010: Hospitalized for chest pains and receives stents
On February 11, 2010, Bill Clinton was rushed to New York-Presbyterian/Columbia Hospital in Manhattan after complaining of chest pains, and he had two coronary stents implanted in his heart.
2010: Clinton Bush Haiti Fund
Following the 2010 Haiti earthquake, Bill Clinton co-founded the Clinton Bush Haiti Fund with George W. Bush and Barack Obama.
2010: Gallup survey on approval of Clinton
In 2010, 69 percent of respondents in a Gallup survey said they approved of the job Clinton did as president.
2010: Coordination of Haiti Earthquake Relief Efforts
In 2010, Barack Obama announced that Bill Clinton and George W. Bush would coordinate efforts to raise funds for Haiti's recovery after the earthquake.
July 2, 2011: New York Times Editorial Criticizes DOMA
On July 2, 2011, The New York Times published an editorial criticizing the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), calling it one of President Bill Clinton's worst policy moments.
2011: Gallup poll on greatest presidents
A Gallup poll in 2011 showed that Clinton was regarded by 13 percent of Americans as the greatest president in U.S. history.
2011: Awarded National Order of Honour and Merit by Haiti
In 2011, Bill Clinton was awarded the National Order of Honour and Merit to the rank of Grand Cross by Haitian president Michel Martelly for his contributions to the reconstruction of Haiti after the 2010 earthquake.
2011: "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" Repealed
In 2011, the controversial "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy, which allowed gay men and women to serve in the military only if they kept their sexual orientation secret, was repealed, removing open sexual orientation as a reason for dismissal from the armed forces.
2011: Roberts' conversation with lawyers regarding Clinton's visit
In a 2011 conversation with her lawyers, Virginia Roberts stated that Clinton traveled to Epstein's retreat on Little St. James in 2002.
2012: "Explainer-in-Chief" nickname
During the 2012 presidential election, Clinton earned the nickname "Explainer-in-Chief" due to his prominent role in campaigning for Obama.
2012: Speech Nominating Barack Obama at Democratic National Convention
In 2012, Bill Clinton gave a widely praised speech nominating Barack Obama at the Democratic National Convention.
2012: Grammy nomination for 'Back to Work' audiobook
In 2012, Bill Clinton received a Grammy nomination for his audiobook, 'Back to Work'.
2012: Clintons' Income and Net Worth
In 2012, the Clintons made between $16 and $17 million, mostly from speaking fees earned by the former president, and their net worth was between $5 million and $25.5 million at the end of 2012.
June 2013: U.S. Supreme Court Strikes Down DOMA
In June 2013, the U.S. Supreme Court struck down the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) in the case of United States v. Windsor.
November 20, 2013: Awarded Presidential Medal of Freedom
On November 20, 2013, President Obama awarded Bill Clinton the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
2013: Clinton Urges Supreme Court to Overturn DOMA
In 2013, Bill Clinton urged the Supreme Court to overturn the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA).
June 2014: Report on Paid Speeches
In June 2014, it was reported that Bill Clinton had made more than $100 million giving paid speeches since leaving public office.
July 2014: Report on Clinton's Net Worth
In July 2014, The Wall Street Journal reported that the Clintons were worth between $5 million and $25.5 million at the end of 2012.
2014: Quinnipiac poll on best president since World War II
In 2014, 18 percent of respondents in a Quinnipiac University Polling Institute poll of American voters regarded Clinton as the best president since World War II.
May 2015: Speaking Fees and Book Earnings
In May 2015, it was reported that Bill and Hillary Clinton made more than $25 million in speaking fees since the start of 2014, with Hillary also making $5 million or more from her book.
December 2015: End of Earnings Reporting Period
Ending December 2015, Forbes reported Bill and Hillary Clinton made about $240 million over 15 years.
2015: Ranking by American Political Science Association scholars
In 2015, a poll by The Washington Post asked 162 scholars of the American Political Science Association to rank all the U.S. presidents in order of greatness. According to their findings, Clinton ranked eighth overall.
2016: Campaigning for Hillary Clinton and Electoral College Vote
In 2016, Bill Clinton campaigned for Hillary Clinton and served as a member of the electoral college for the state of New York, where he voted for Hillary and Tim Kaine.
2016: Campaigning for Hillary Clinton's Presidential Campaign
In 2016, Bill Clinton campaigned for his wife's presidential campaign.
2016: Reports on Clintons' Earnings
In 2016, reports indicated that the Clintons made about $240 million from 2001 to 2015 and received more than $153 million in paid speeches from 2001 until spring 2015.
September 7, 2017: Partnership with Former Presidents for Hurricane Relief
On September 7, 2017, Bill Clinton partnered with former presidents to work with One America Appeal for Hurricane Harvey and Irma victims.
November 2017: Donna Brazile urges Clinton to campaign
In November 2017, Donna Brazile urged Bill Clinton to campaign during the 2018 midterm elections despite criticism surrounding the Lewinsky scandal.
2018: Clinton defends decision not to resign
In 2018, Bill Clinton addressed questions regarding whether he should have resigned during the Lewinsky scandal, asserting that he made the correct decision by not resigning.
2018: Revisiting sexual misconduct allegations in light of #MeToo
In 2018, several sexual misconduct allegations against Clinton were revisited in light of the #MeToo movement, with many commentators and Democratic leaders now saying Clinton should have been compelled to resign after the Lewinsky affair.
July 2019: Clinton spokesperson denies visiting Epstein's island
In July 2019, a Clinton spokesperson issued a statement saying that Clinton never visited Epstein's island.
2019: Clinton's Office Releases Statement on Epstein
In 2019, after Epstein was charged with sex trafficking, Clinton's office released a statement saying Clinton knew nothing about Epstein's crimes and hadn't spoken to him in over a decade.
2020: Electoral College Vote for Biden and Harris
In 2020, Bill Clinton served as a member of the United States Electoral College from New York, casting his vote for Joe Biden and Kamala Harris.
October 2021: Clinton treated for sepsis
In October 2021, Bill Clinton was treated for sepsis at the University of California, Irvine Medical Center.
November 2022: Clinton responds to questions about ties with Epstein
In November 2022, when personally asked by a journalist about his ties with Epstein at a rally in Laredo, Texas, Clinton said "I think the evidence is clear."
December 2022: Clinton tested positive for COVID-19
In December 2022, Bill Clinton tested positive for COVID-19.
March 2024: Assassination Attempt Remains Classified
As of March 2024, the November 1996 assassination attempt on President Clinton in the Philippines remains classified, although Reuters reported speaking with retired secret service agents about the incident.
November 2024: Publication of Second Memoir Volume
In November 2024, Bill Clinton's second volume of memoirs, "Citizen: My Life After the White House", was published.
December 2024: Became earliest-serving living former U.S. President
Following Jimmy Carter's death in December 2024, Bill Clinton became the earliest-serving living former U.S. president.
December 2024: Clinton hospitalized for fever
In December 2024, Bill Clinton was hospitalized after developing fever at the MedStar Georgetown University Hospital in Washington D.C.
2024: Support and Defense of Joe Biden
In 2024, Bill Clinton endorsed Joe Biden's re-election campaign, defended him after a debate, and endorsed Kamala Harris after she replaced Biden on the ticket. Clinton also gave a speech at the 2024 DNC.
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