Timeline Description: Bill Clinton was the 42nd American president. His time in office was considered prosperous, with low inflation and high employment rates. However, he was also one of very few presidents who faced impeachment.
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| 1946 | Bill Clinton is born Bill was born in Arkansas where he lived and served for many years before becoming president. He was born as William Blythe, but his father died before Bill was even born, and he took his stepfather's last name of Clinton. |
| 1963 | Clinton meets President Kennedy While traveling to the capitol to tour the White House, Clinton was able to meet President Kennedy. It was at this time Clinton realized he wanted a life in public service. |
| 1968 | Graduation from Georgetown Bill attended Georgetown University on scholarship. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Foreign Service. |
| 1973 | Attending Yale University Bill went on to attend University College at Oxford, but he soon switched programs and transferred to Yale University. He graduated in 1973 with a law degree. |
| 1975 | Marriage and a family While attending Yale University, Bill met Hillary Rodham. They were married in 1975 and had their only child in 1980. |
| 1976 | Arkansas Attorney General Clinton returned home to Arkansas after graduation from Yale. He ran for the House of Representatives and while he lost the election, he was appointed to the Attorney General's office. |
| 1978 | Arkansas governor Bill ran and won the election for Arkansas governor in 1978. He became the youngest Arkansas governor in history, and his time in office was mostly positive. |
| 1980 | A successful governorship Mr. Clinton served as governor for more than ten years. He led his state in education reform as well as attempted a health care reform. |
| 1992 | Presidential election Clinton joined the presidential race but had little hope of winning, as President Bush had an 80% approval rating. However, when President Bush went back on his promise to not raise taxes, his approval rating fell and Clinton was able to move in. |
| 1993 | President! President Clinton's first term in office got off to a prosperous start when he immediately signed into the law the Family Medical Leave Act of 1993. The public rallied around him, and his popularity grew. |
| 1997 | Second election President Clinton ran once again in the 1996 presidential election. He won an easy victory as his popularity in office continued. |
| 1998 | Clinton faces impeachment After accusations arose over the Lewinsky scandal, Clinton faced impeachment. However, the Senate held a trial and found him not guilty. |
| 2000 | Leaving office Though he had recently gone through impeachment and the Lewinsky scandal, the country continued to love President Clinton. When he left office, his approval ratings were at 68%. |
| 2004 | Life after the presidency Clinton published an autobiography in 2004 titled My Life. In the same year, the William J. Clinton Presidential Center and Park opened in Arkansas. |
| 2014 | Clinton Today Today President Clinton continues his work for the nation. He was recently awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Barack Obama. |