Full History Of Bill Clinton In Timeline From 1943

September 4, 1943: Marriage of William Jefferson Blythe Jr. and Virginia Dell Cassidy

On September 4, 1943, Bill Clinton's parents, William Jefferson Blythe Jr. and Virginia Dell Cassidy, married.

August 19, 1946: Bill Clinton's Birth

On August 19, 1946, William Jefferson Clinton, was born in Hope, Arkansas.

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: Member of 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 1963, Bill Clinton had two influential moments: meeting President John F. Kennedy and watching Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I Have a Dream" speech, which led to his decision to become a public figure.

1964: First executions since 1964

During Bill Clinton's final term as governor, Arkansas performed its first executions since 1964.

1964: Elected Class President

In 1964, Bill Clinton won elections for class president and became an intern for Senator J. William Fulbright.

1965: Elected Class President

In 1965, Bill Clinton won elections for class president and continued working for Senator J. William Fulbright.

1967: Intern in Fulbright's Office

In 1967, Bill Clinton was a clerk in the office of Arkansas senator J. William Fulbright.

1968: Received Draft Deferments

During the Vietnam War, in 1968 Bill Clinton received educational draft deferments while he was in England.

1968: Graduation from Georgetown University

In 1968, Bill Clinton graduated from Georgetown University.

1968: Rhodes Scholarship

In 1968, after graduating from Georgetown, Bill Clinton won a Rhodes Scholarship to University College, Oxford.

October 1969: Organized Vietnam War Protest

In October 1969, while at Oxford, Bill Clinton organized a Moratorium to End the War in Vietnam event.

1969: Influence of Frank Aller

In 1969, Bill Clinton's friend Frank Aller received a draft letter, and later that summer, Aller talked about the Vietnam War and the napalming of civilians with Clinton and Sara Maitland, influencing them.

1969: Budget Surplus

The Congressional Budget Office reported a budget surplus, the first since 1969.

1971: Met Hillary Rodham

In 1971, Bill Clinton met his future wife, Hillary Rodham, at the Yale Law Library.

1971: Death of Frank Aller

In 1971, Frank Aller's suicide had an influential impact on Bill Clinton.

1972: Campaign Work in Texas

In 1972, Bill Clinton moved to Texas with Hillary Rodham to lead George McGovern's campaign efforts there, working with future Dallas mayor Ron Kirk and future Texas governor Ann Richards.

1972: Worked on McGovern Campaign

In 1972, Bill Clinton postponed his summer plans to be a coordinator for the George McGovern campaign for the 1972 United States presidential election.

1972: Anti-Republican mood

The Watergate scandal bolstered Bill Clinton's campaign for the House of Representatives in 1972

1973: Graduation from Yale Law School

In 1973, Bill Clinton earned a Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from Yale Law School.

1974: Ran for House of Representatives

In 1974, Bill Clinton ran for the House of Representatives in Arkansas's 3rd district, and was narrowly defeated by John Paul Hammerschmidt.

1976: Elected Arkansas Attorney General

In 1976, Bill Clinton was elected as the Attorney General of Arkansas.

1976: Death penalty reinstated

The death penalty had been reinstated in Arkansas in 1976, after which Bill Clinton oversaw the first four executions carried out by the state.

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, a Republican candidate, for governor.

1978: Election as Governor of Arkansas

In 1978, Bill Clinton was elected Governor of Arkansas, defeating Republican candidate Lynn Lowe. At 32 years old, Clinton became the youngest governor in the country at the time, marking a significant career milestone.

1978: Alleged Rape by Clinton

In the spring of 1978, Juanita Broaddrick alleged that Bill Clinton had raped her. She claimed to have told witnesses about the incident around the time it allegedly occurred.

1979: Governor of Arkansas

In 1979, Bill Clinton served as the Governor of Arkansas.

1980: Unpopular motor vehicle tax and Cuban refugees

In 1980, Bill Clinton's term as Governor of Arkansas was marked by an unpopular motor vehicle tax and public anger over the escape of Cuban refugees detained in Fort Chaffee. Monroe Schwarzlose polled 31 percent of the vote against Clinton in the Democratic gubernatorial primary. These events contributed to his defeat in the general election that year.

1980: "Slick Willie" nickname

In 1980, Pine Bluff Commercial journalist Paul Greenberg first applied the nickname "Slick Willie" to Bill Clinton.

January 1981: Joined law firm

In January 1981, after leaving office, Bill Clinton joined the law firm of Wright, Lindsey and Jennings in Little Rock.

1981: Governor of Arkansas

In 1981, Bill Clinton was Governor of Arkansas

1982: Defeated White for governor

In 1982, Bill Clinton defeated Republican candidate Frank White for governor.

1982: Re-elected as governor

In 1982, Bill Clinton was elected governor of Arkansas for a second time, and he maintained the office for ten years.

September 1983: Education reforms passed

In September 1983, after Bill Clinton called a special legislative session, education reforms passed in Arkansas, following the work of the Arkansas Education Standards Committee.

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, a Republican candidate, for governor.

1984: Reagan's landslide victory

In 1984, President Ronald Reagan had a landslide victory which led the New Democrats to adopt a more centrist political stance in order to succeed at the national level.

1985: Delivered Democratic 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: Half-brother sentenced for cocaine possession

In 1985, Bill Clinton's half-brother, Roger, was sentenced to prison for possession and smuggling of cocaine, but was later pardoned by his brother after serving his sentence.

1986: Arkansas changes gubernatorial term

Effective with the 1986 election, Arkansas changed its gubernatorial term of office from two to four years. Bill Clinton also served as chair of the National Governors Association from 1986 to 1987.

1986: Defeated White for governor

In 1986, Bill Clinton defeated Republican candidate Frank White for governor again.

1987: Chair of 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: Media speculation about presidential race

In 1987, the media speculated that Bill Clinton would enter the presidential race, but Clinton decided to remain as Arkansas governor and endorsed Michael Dukakis for the nomination.

1987: Killing of Don Henry and Kevin Ives

The killing of Don Henry and Kevin Ives in 1987 started various conspiracy theories that accused Bill Clinton and the Arkansas state authorities of covering up the crime.

1988: Address at Democratic National Convention

In 1988, Bill Clinton gave the nationally televised opening night address at the Democratic National Convention, but it was criticized for being too long.

1989: Iran Brings Case Against U.S. in International Court of Justice

In 1989, Iran brought a case against the U.S. in the International Court of Justice after the shooting down of Iran Air Flight 655 by the U.S. Navy guided missile cruiser, which was later settled in February 1996 by the Clinton administration.

1990: Defeated Nelson for governor

In 1990, Bill Clinton defeated Sheffield Nelson, a Republican candidate, for governor.

1990: Headed Democratic Leadership Council

In 1990, Bill Clinton headed the moderate Democratic Leadership Council.

December 1991: "Safe, legal, and rare"

In December 1991, Bill Clinton first used the slogan, "safe, legal, and rare" while campaigning.

1991: Alleged Unwanted Advances towards Paula Jones

In 1991, Bill Clinton allegedly made unwanted advances towards Paula Jones; Clinton denied the allegations.

1991: Headed Democratic Leadership Council

In 1991, Bill Clinton headed the moderate Democratic Leadership Council.

March 26, 1992: "I feel your pain"

On March 26, 1992, during a Democratic fund raiser, Robert Rafsky confronted Bill Clinton about AIDS, to which Clinton replied, "I feel your pain". This televised exchange led to AIDS becoming an issue in the 1992 presidential election.

1992: Unique characteristics of the 1992 election

According to Seymour Martin Lipset, the 1992 election had voters who felt that economic conditions were worse than they actually were, harmed Bush, there was the presence of a strong third-party candidate, liberals launched a backlash against 12 years of a conservative White House. The chief factor was Clinton's uniting his party, and winning over a number of heterogeneous groups.

1992: Capital punishment stance

By 1992, Bill Clinton was insisting that Democrats "should no longer feel guilty about protecting the innocent". During his final term as governor, Arkansas performed its first executions since 1964.

1992: Draft Controversy During Campaign

During the 1992 campaign, Bill Clinton's draft record and attempts to avoid service in Vietnam were criticized. His campaign manager successfully argued for the release of Clinton's letter declining ROTC.

1992: Draft Controversy

During the 1992 presidential campaign, Colonel Eugene Holmes stated that he suspected Bill Clinton attempted to manipulate the situation to avoid the draft.

1992: Governor of Arkansas

In 1992, Bill Clinton served as the Governor of Arkansas.

1992: Elected President

In 1992, Bill Clinton was elected President of the United States, defeating incumbent George H.W. Bush and Ross Perot.

1992: Won presidential election

In 1992, Bill Clinton won the presidential election against George H. W. Bush and Ross Perot. Clinton's victory ended twelve years of Republican rule of the White House and gave Democrats full control of the United States Congress.

1992: Clinton Proposes Sending a Peace Envoy to Northern Ireland

In 1992, before his presidency, Bill Clinton proposed sending a peace envoy to Northern Ireland, but this was dropped to avoid tensions with the British government.

1992: "Bubba" nickname

Starting from the 1992 presidential election, Bill 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. Clinton was physically exhausted at the time, and had an inexperienced staff.

January 22, 1993: Reversed restrictions on family planning programs

On January 22, 1993, Bill Clinton reversed restrictions on domestic and international family planning programs that had been imposed by Reagan and Bush.

February 15, 1993: First address to the nation

On February 15, 1993, Bill Clinton made his first address to the nation, announcing his plan to raise taxes to close a budget deficit.

April 19, 1993: FBI raid on Branch Davidian community

On April 19, 1993, Attorney General Janet Reno authorized the FBI to use armored vehicles and tear gas on the Branch Davidian community near Waco, Texas. The operation led to a fire that killed 75 residents, including 24 children, in an attempt to end a 51-day siege.

May 19, 1993: Firing of White House Travel Office Employees

On May 19, 1993, Clinton fired seven employees of the White House Travel Office, leading to the White House travel office controversy.

September 1993: Oslo Accords Signed

In September 1993, secret negotiations mediated by Clinton led to the Oslo Accords, a historic declaration of peace between Israel and the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO). The Accords were signed at the White House on September 13.

September 22, 1993: Clinton's health care reform speech to Congress

On September 22, 1993, President Clinton delivered a major speech to Congress outlining a health care reform plan aimed at achieving universal coverage. The plan, led by Hillary Clinton, faced strong opposition and ultimately failed despite a Democratic majority in Congress.

November 1993: David Hale Alleges Clinton Pressured Him to Provide Illegal Loan

In November 1993, David Hale alleged that while Bill Clinton was Governor of Arkansas, Clinton pressured Hale to provide an illegal $300,000 loan to Susan McDougal, the Clintons' partner in the Whitewater land deal, leading to a U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission investigation.

November 30, 1993: Signing of the Brady Bill

On November 30, 1993, President Clinton signed the Brady Bill into law, mandating federal background checks for firearm purchases in the United States and imposing a five-day waiting period. He also expanded the Earned Income Tax Credit for low-income workers.

1993: President of the United States

In 1993, Bill Clinton became the 42nd president of the United States.

1993: Clinton Pressures European Leaders on Bosnian War Policy

In 1993, Bill Clinton pressured Western European leaders to adopt a strong military policy against Bosnian Serbs during the Bosnian War.

1993: Signed Family and Medical Leave Act

In 1993, Bill Clinton signed the Family and Medical Leave Act, which required large employers to allow employees to take unpaid leave for pregnancy or a serious medical condition. This action had bipartisan support.

1993: Clinton Minimizes Tariff Levels in Chinese Imports

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 as a justice to the Supreme Court.

1993: Kathleen Willey's Allegation

In 1993, Kathleen Willey alleged that Bill Clinton had groped her in a hallway. Later, an independent counsel determined that Willey had provided "false information" to the FBI.

1993: Battle of Mogadishu

In 1993, during the Battle of Mogadishu in Somalia, two U.S. helicopters were shot down, resulting in the deaths of 18 American soldiers and prompting a drop in support for American intervention.

1993: Membership in Foundry United Methodist Church

In 1993, when he became president, Bill Clinton became a member of Foundry United Methodist Church in Washington, D.C. with his wife, a Methodist.

January 1, 1994: Signing of the North American Free Trade Agreement

On January 1, 1994, President Clinton signed the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) into law. Clinton supported the treaty throughout his first year in office, despite disagreement within the Democratic party. The bill passed the House and was ratified by the Senate.

April 1994: Genocide in Rwanda

In April 1994, genocide broke out in Rwanda, and Clinton chose not to intervene, fearing a reprisal of the events in Somalia the previous year. Clinton later called this failure one of his main foreign policy failings.

July 29, 1994: Launch of the first White House website

On July 29, 1994, the Clinton administration launched the first official White House website, whitehouse.gov. This marked the beginning of a movement toward web-based communication within the government, with Clinton and Gore pushing federal agencies to utilize the Internet.

September 1994: Signing of the Omnibus Crime Bill

In September 1994, President Clinton signed the Omnibus Crime Bill into law. The bill expanded the death penalty to include crimes not resulting in death, such as running a large-scale drug enterprise, and included a subsection of assault weapons ban for a ten-year period.

1994: Clinton Declares Iran a "State Sponsor of Terrorism"

In 1994, Bill Clinton declared that Iran was a "state sponsor of terrorism" and a "rogue state", marking the first time that an American president used that term.

1994: Clinton Pressures European Leaders on Bosnian War Policy

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 as a justice to the Supreme Court.

1994: Carter's Visit to North Korea

In 1994, Jimmy Carter made a visit to North Korea.

1994: Paula Jones' sexual harassment lawsuit initiated

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: Israel-Jordan peace treaty

In 1994, the Israel-Jordan peace treaty was signed.

1994: Honorary Degree from 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.

1994: Lopsided defeat of national Democrats

The lopsided defeat of national Democrats in the 1994 elections partially led to Bill Clinton's chances of being re-elected initially seeming slim.

November 1995: Clinton Visits Northern Ireland

In November 1995, during a ceasefire during the Troubles, Bill Clinton became the first U.S. president to visit Northern Ireland, playing a key role in peace talks.

December 6, 1995: White House Conference on HIV/AIDS

On December 6, 1995, President Bill Clinton delivered a speech at the White House Conference on HIV/AIDS. He projected the development of a cure for AIDS and a vaccine to prevent further infection. He announced new initiatives to coordinate AIDS research, integrate HIV prevention with substance abuse prevention, and ensure equal access to health care for people with HIV and AIDS.

1995: U.S. and NATO Bomb Bosnian Serb Targets

In 1995, U.S. and NATO aircraft bombed Bosnian Serb targets, leading to the deployment of U.S. peacekeepers to Bosnia to uphold the Dayton Agreement.

1995: Approval rating got as low as 40 percent

In early 1995, Bill Clinton's approval rating got as low as 40 percent, which led to several high-profile Democrats suggesting he drop out of the race. However, in mid-1995, public opinion of Clinton up-ticked and early 1996 polls found he had a lead of up to 20 points over his likely Republican opponent Bob Dole.

February 1996: Clinton Administration Pays Iran Settlement

In February 1996, the Clinton administration agreed to pay Iran US$131.8 million in settlement to discontinue a case brought by Iran in 1989 against the U.S. in the International Court of Justice after the shooting down of Iran Air Flight 655 by the U.S. Navy guided missile cruiser.

June 1996: White House FBI Files Controversy Arises

In June 1996, the White House FBI files controversy arose concerning improper access by the White House to FBI security-clearance documents.

September 21, 1996: Signing of the Defense of Marriage Act

On September 21, 1996, President Clinton signed the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) into law. DOMA defined marriage for federal purposes as the legal union of one man and one woman, and it allowed individual states to refuse to recognize gay marriages performed in other states. The signing was considered a political decision during a re-election year.

September 30, 1996: Signing of the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act

On September 30, 1996, as part of an initiative to curb illegal immigration, President Clinton signed the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act (IIRIRA). The U.S. Commission on Immigration Reform, appointed by Clinton, recommended reducing legal immigration from about 800,000 people a year to about 550,000.

November 1996: Assassination attempt in the Philippines

In November 1996, President Clinton narrowly escaped a possible assassination attempt in the Philippines, involving a bridge bomb planted by al-Qaeda and masterminded by Osama bin Laden. The attempt remained top secret during Clinton's presidency.

1996: Re-election to the Presidency

In 1996, Bill Clinton won re-election as President, defeating Bob Dole and Ross Perot.

1996: Chinese Contributions to Clinton's Reelection Campaign

In 1996, it was discovered that several Chinese foreigners made contributions to Bill Clinton's reelection campaign and the Democratic National Committee with the backing of the People's Republic of China, violating United States law.

1996: State Department Warning about bin Laden

In 1996, the State Department issued a warning about bin Laden, prompting Clinton to order military missions to capture or kill him, all of which were unsuccessful.

1996: Leading presidential election polls

In early 1996, polls found that Bill Clinton had a lead of up to 20 points over Bob Dole in the presidential election.

January 1997: State of the Union address proposing health coverage for children

In his January 1997 State of the Union address, President Clinton proposed a new initiative to provide health coverage to up to five million children. This led to the creation of the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP).

February 1997: Donors Staying at the White House

In February 1997, it was discovered that 938 people had stayed at the White House and that 821 of them had made donations to the Democratic Party and got the opportunity to stay in the Lincoln bedroom as a result of the donations.

October 1997: Clinton Announces He Was Getting Hearing Aids

In October 1997, Bill Clinton announced that he was getting hearing aids due to hearing loss attributed to his age and his time spent as a musician in his youth.

1997: Gross national debt

At the end of the fiscal year of 1997, the U.S. Treasury reported a gross debt of $5.413 trillion during Bill Clinton's presidency.

March 19, 1998: Julie Hiatt Steele Accusation

On March 19, 1998, Julie Hiatt Steele, a friend of Kathleen Willey, released an affidavit accusing Willey of asking her to lie and corroborate Willey's account of being sexually groped by Clinton in the Oval Office.

April 1998: Dismissal of Paula Jones' Lawsuit

In April 1998, Paula Jones' sexual harassment lawsuit against Clinton was initially dismissed by Judge Susan Webber Wright on the grounds that it lacked legal merit.

August 1998: Cruise Missile Strikes on Terrorist Targets

In August 1998, Bill Clinton ordered cruise missile strikes on terrorist targets in Afghanistan and Sudan, specifically targeting the Al-Shifa pharmaceutical factory in Sudan, suspected of assisting bin Laden in making chemical weapons, and bin Laden's terrorist training camps in Afghanistan. The Al-Shifa factory was destroyed, resulting in casualties and a medicine shortage in Sudan.

August 1998: Admission of Affair with Monica Lewinsky

In August 1998, Clinton admitted to having an affair with Monica Lewinsky, which impacted the Paula Jones lawsuit.

October 1998: Tentative Settlement Offer in Paula Jones Case

In October 1998, Clinton's attorneys tentatively offered $700,000 to settle the Paula Jones case, close to the $800,000 sought by Jones' lawyers.

October 1998: Wye River Memorandum

In October 1998, the Israel-Jordan peace treaty in 1994 and the Wye River Memorandum, however, this did not end the conflict.

October 31, 1998: Clinton Signs the Iraq Liberation Act

On October 31, 1998, Bill Clinton signed the Iraq Liberation Act, which instituted a policy of "regime change" against Iraq, though it did not provide for direct American military intervention.

December 1998: House Begins Impeachment Hearings

In December 1998, the House of Representatives began impeachment hearings against Bill Clinton after the Starr Report was submitted, alleging acts that might constitute grounds for impeachment.

December 19, 1998: Clinton Impeached by the House of Representatives

On December 19, 1998, Bill Clinton was impeached by the House of Representatives for perjury and obstruction of justice related to his relationship with Monica Lewinsky.

1998: Clinton Plays Key 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.

1998: Juanita Broaddrick's Allegation

In 1998, Juanita Broaddrick alleged that Bill Clinton had raped her in the spring of 1978. She claimed to have told witnesses about the rape in 1978 and later detailed the alleged rape in an NBC interview.

1998: Toni Morrison Calls Clinton "the first black president"

In 1998, Nobel laureate Toni Morrison called Clinton "the first black president," citing his background and personal characteristics.

1998: Impeachment Proceedings

In 1998, during his impeachment proceedings, Clinton's job approval rating reached its highest point.

1998: Budget Surplus

In 1998, the Congressional Budget Office reported a budget surplus of $69 billion during Bill Clinton's presidency.

1998: The Lewinsky Scandal's Enduring Impact

In 1998, the Lewinsky scandal impacted Clinton's legacy, leading to his impeachment and later reassessments of the affair as an abuse of power in light of the #MeToo movement.

1998: Clinton Warns Congress About Saddam Hussein's Weapons

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, although there was no evidence for that claim.

1998: Clinton-Lewinsky Scandal Unveiled

In early 1998, the Clinton-Lewinsky scandal was revealed, exposing an affair between President Clinton and White House intern Monica Lewinsky.

January 1999: Impeachment Trial in the Senate

In January 1999, Bill Clinton's impeachment trial began in the Senate.

February 12, 1999: Senate Acquits Clinton of Impeachment Charges

On February 12, 1999, the Senate acquitted Bill Clinton of both perjury and obstruction of justice charges, failing to reach the two-thirds majority required for conviction and removal from office.

March 24, 1999: Start of NATO Bombing Campaign

On March 24, 1999, Bill Clinton authorized the use of U.S. Armed Forces in a NATO bombing campaign against Yugoslavia, named Operation Allied Force, due to human rights concerns.

May 1999: American Bombing of Chinese Embassy

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.

June 10, 1999: End of NATO Bombing Campaign

On June 10, 1999, the NATO bombing campaign against Yugoslavia, authorized by Bill Clinton, ended with United Nations Security Council Resolution 1244. The resolution placed Kosovo under UN administration and authorized a peacekeeping force to be deployed to the region.

1999: American and British Aircraft Attack 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

In 1999, during his impeachment proceedings, Clinton's job approval rating reached its highest point.

1999: Budget Surplus

In 1999, the Congressional Budget Office reported a budget surplus of $126 billion during Bill Clinton's presidency.

January 1, 2000: Clintons Income Tax Returns

From January 1, 2000, to December 31, 2007, the Clintons made $109 million, including almost $92 million from his speaking and book-writing.

March 2000: Independent Counsel Finds No 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 FBI files controversy.

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. The president asserted that free trade would gradually open China to democratic reform.

December 2000: Attempt to End the Israeli-Palestinian conflict

In December 2000, Clinton attempted to end the Israeli-Palestinian conflict at Bolling Air Force Base, in which the president offered the Clinton Parameters

2000: American and British Aircraft Attack 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

In 2000, the Congressional Budget Office reported a budget surplus of $236 billion during Bill Clinton's presidency.

2000: "The Big Dog" nickname

Since 2000, Bill Clinton has frequently been referred to as "The Big Dog" or "Big Dog".

January 2001: Clintons' Earnings

From January 2001, to December 2015, Forbes reported Bill and Hillary Clinton made about $240 million (mostly from paid speeches, business consulting and book-writing).

January 19, 2001: Clinton's Law License Suspended

On January 19, 2001, Bill Clinton's law license was suspended for five years after he acknowledged 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, Bill Clinton issued 141 pardons and 36 commutations on his last day in office, leading to controversy surrounding Marc Rich and allegations of payments for influencing pardon decisions.

2001: Leaves Office

In 2001, Bill Clinton left office with a high approval rating.

2001: End of Presidential Term

In 2001, Bill Clinton's term as the 42nd president of the United States concluded.

2001: Kosovo Supreme Court Ruling

In 2001, the UN-supervised Supreme Court of Kosovo ruled that genocide did not take place, but recognized "a systematic campaign of terror, including murders, rapes, arsons and severe maltreatments" with the intention being the forceful departure of the Albanian population.

2001: Clinton's Post-Presidency Income

Since leaving office in 2001, Bill Clinton has given dozens of paid speeches each year, mostly to corporations and philanthropic groups in North America and Europe, often earning $100,000 to $300,000 per speech.

2002: Clinton Warns of Consequences

In 2002, Bill Clinton warned that pre-emptive military action against Iraq would have unwelcome consequences.

2002: Gallup Poll on Clinton's Job Approval

In 2002, a Gallup poll on Clinton's job approval showed it was lower than the 2006 poll by Gallup.

June 2004: White House Portrait Unveiled

In June 2004, Bill Clinton's official White House portrait, painted by Simmie Knox, was unveiled.

2004: Clinton Appointed to Head Relief Effort

In 2004, U.N. secretary-general Kofi Annan appointed Bill Clinton to head a relief effort in the aftermath of the Asian tsunami.

2004: Clinton Presidential Center Dedicated

In 2004, the William J. Clinton Presidential Center and Park in Little Rock, Arkansas, was dedicated.

January 2005: Establishment of Bush-Clinton Tsunami Fund

In January 2005, following the 2004 Asian tsunami, Bill Clinton joined George H. W. Bush to establish the Bush-Clinton Tsunami Fund.

2005: Clinton Criticizes Bush Administration

In 2005, Bill Clinton criticized the Bush administration's handling of emissions control at the United Nations Climate Change conference in Montreal.

2005: Clinton Foundation's Global Initiatives

In 2005, Bill Clinton started the Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) to address world problems, such as global public health, poverty alleviation and religious and ethnic conflict. He also announced through his foundation an agreement with manufacturers to stop selling sugary drinks in schools.

May 2006: CNN Poll on Clinton's Job Performance

In May 2006, a CNN poll comparing Clinton's job performance with that of George W. Bush found that a strong majority of respondents said Clinton outperformed Bush in six different areas questioned.

June 2006: Gallup Poll on Clinton's Job Approval

In June 2006, a Gallup poll found that 61 percent of Americans said they approved of the job Clinton did as president, a 10-point increase from the 2002 poll.

2006: Death of Slobodan Milošević

In 2006, Slobodan Milošević, the president of Yugoslavia during the Kosovo conflict, died before the completion of his trial at the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia in The Hague.

2006: Clinton Foundation Joins Climate Leadership Group

In 2006, the Clinton Foundation joined with the Large Cities Climate Leadership Group to improve cooperation among those cities, with Clinton meeting with foreign leaders to promote this initiative.

April 2007: Clinton Speaks at Yeltsin's Funeral

In April 2007, Bill Clinton spoke alongside George H. W. Bush at the funeral of Boris Yeltsin.

2007: Gallup Poll on Greatest Presidents

Gallup polls in 2007 showed that Clinton was regarded by 13 percent of Americans as the greatest president in U.S. history.

2007: Release of "Giving: How Each of Us Can Change the World"

In 2007, Bill Clinton released "Giving: How Each of Us Can Change the World", which became a New York Times Best Seller.

Giving: How Each of Us Can Change the World

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December 31, 2007: Clintons Income Tax Returns

By December 31, 2007, the Clintons' income tax returns show they made $109 million in the eight years from January 1, 2000, including almost $92 million from his speaking and book-writing.

August 27, 2008: Clinton Endorses Obama at DNC

On August 27, 2008, Bill Clinton enthusiastically endorsed Barack Obama at the 2008 Democratic National Convention, stating Obama was "ready to lead".

2008: Campaigning for Hillary Clinton

In 2008, Bill Clinton campaigned for his wife's presidential campaign.

2008: Foundation Announces Anti-Malaria Drug Deals

In 2008, Foundation director Inder Singh announced deals to reduce the price of anti-malaria drugs by 30 percent in developing nations. Bill Clinton also spoke in favor of California Proposition 87 on alternative energy, which was voted down.

2008: Clintons' Income Tax Returns

In 2008, The New York Times reported that the Clintons' income tax returns show they made $109 million in the eight years from January 1, 2000, to December 31, 2007, including almost $92 million from his speaking and book-writing.

2009: Clinton's Visit to North Korea

In 2009, Bill Clinton traveled to North Korea on behalf of two American journalists, Euna Lee and Laura Ling, who were imprisoned there. After Clinton met with North Korean leader Kim Jong-il, Kim issued a pardon.

2009: United Nations Special Envoy to Haiti

In 2009, Bill Clinton was named United Nations Special Envoy to Haiti following a series of hurricanes which caused $1 billion in damages.

2010: Clinton Bush Haiti Fund

After the 2010 Haiti earthquake, Clinton founded the Clinton Bush Haiti Fund with George W. Bush and Barack Obama.

2010: Gallup Survey on Clinton's Job Approval

In 2010, 69 percent of respondents in a Gallup survey said they approved of the job Clinton did as president.

2010: Clinton's Support for Haiti Recovery Efforts

In 2010, Bill Clinton and George W. Bush coordinated efforts to raise funds for Haiti's recovery after the earthquake. Clinton also announced support for the inauguration of NTR, Ireland's first environmental foundation.

2011: Gallup Poll on Greatest Presidents

Gallup polls in 2011 showed that Clinton was regarded by 13 percent of Americans as the greatest president in U.S. history.

2012: Clinton Nominates Obama at DNC

At the 2012 Democratic National Convention, Bill Clinton gave a speech nominating Barack Obama.

2012: "Explainer-in-Chief" nickname

During the 2012 presidential election, Bill Clinton earned the nickname "Explainer-in-Chief" for his prominent role in campaigning for Obama and his widely publicized speech at the 2012 Democratic National Convention.

2012: Clintons' Income Reported

In 2012, the Clintons made between $16 and $17 million, mostly from speaking fees earned by the former president.

June 2014: Bill Clinton's Speaking Income

In June 2014, ABC News and The Washington Post reported that Bill Clinton has made more than $100 million giving paid speeches since leaving public office.

July 2014: Clintons' Net Worth

In July 2014, The Wall Street Journal reported that at the end of 2012, the Clintons were worth between $5 million and $25.5 million, and that in 2012 the Clintons made between $16 and $17 million, mostly from speaking fees earned by the former president.

2014: Quinnipiac University Poll on Best Presidents

In 2014, a Quinnipiac University Polling Institute poll of American voters regarded Clinton as the third most popular among postwar presidents.

May 2015: Clintons' Speaking Fees

In May 2015, The Hill reported that Bill and Hillary Clinton have made more than $25 million in speaking fees since the start of 2014, and that Hillary Clinton also made $5 million or more from her book, "Hard Choices", during the same time period.

Hard Choices

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December 2015: Clintons' Earnings

By December 2015, Forbes reported Bill and Hillary Clinton made about $240 million in the 15 years from January 2001, (mostly from paid speeches, business consulting and book-writing). Also in 2016, CNN reported the Clintons combined to receive more than $153 million in paid speeches from 2001 until spring 2015.

2015: Ranking by American Political Science Association

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, with a rating of 70 percent.

2016: Clinton Supports Hillary's Presidential Campaign

During the 2016 presidential election, Bill Clinton encouraged voters to support Hillary, made appearances on the campaign trail, and served as a member of the electoral college for the state of New York, voting for Hillary and Tim Kaine.

2016: Campaigning for Hillary Clinton

In 2016, Bill Clinton campaigned for his wife's presidential campaign.

2016: Clintons' Earnings Reported

In 2016, Forbes reported that Bill and Hillary Clinton made about $240 million in the 15 years from January 2001 to December 2015. CNN also reported that the Clintons combined to receive more than $153 million in paid speeches from 2001 until spring 2015.

September 7, 2017: One America Appeal

On September 7, 2017, Bill Clinton partnered with former presidents Jimmy Carter, George H. W. Bush, George W. Bush, and Barack Obama to work with One America Appeal to help the victims of Hurricane Harvey and Hurricane Irma in the Gulf Coast and Texas communities.

November 2017: Donna Brazile Urged Clinton to Campaign

In November 2017, former DNC interim chair Donna Brazile urged Bill Clinton to campaign during the 2018 midterm elections, despite recent criticism of the Lewinsky scandal.

2018: Clinton on Resignation

In 2018, Bill Clinton addressed questions in several interviews about whether he should have resigned during the Lewinsky scandal, stating he believed he made the right decision in not resigning.

2018: Revisiting Sexual Misconduct Allegations

In 2018, in light of the #MeToo movement, allegations of sexual misconduct against Clinton were revisited and lent more credence.

2020: Clinton Serves as Elector

In 2020, Bill Clinton served as a member of the United States Electoral College from New York, casting his vote for the Democratic ticket of Joe Biden and Kamala Harris.

November 2024: Publication of "Citizen: My Life After the White House"

In November 2024, Bill Clinton's second volume of memoirs, "Citizen: My Life After the White House", was published.

Citizen: My Life After the White House

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December 2024: 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 and the only living president to have served in the 20th century.

2024: Endorsement of Biden's Re-election Campaign

In 2024, Bill Clinton was one of the first public figures to endorse Joe Biden's re-election campaign. He defended Biden after his first presidential debate. After Biden withdrew his candidacy, Bill and Hillary Clinton endorsed Kamala Harris and praised Biden.