Bill Clinton Born in Hope, Arkansas

Summary

Bill Clinton was born William Jefferson Blythe III on August 19, 1946, in Hope, Arkansas, several months after his father died. He later took the surname Clinton from his stepfather. After studying at Georgetown University, Oxford, and Yale Law School, Clinton returned to Arkansas, where he taught law and entered politics. He served as state attorney general and, across several terms, as governor of Arkansas. In 1992, he was elected the forty-second president of the United States and served from 1993 to 2001. His administration coincided with strong economic growth, declining federal deficits that became surpluses, welfare reform, implementation of the North American Free Trade Agreement, and U.S. involvement in conflicts and diplomacy in Europe and the Middle East. In 1998, the House impeached Clinton on charges related to testimony about a personal relationship; the Senate acquitted him. He later remained active through public speaking, charitable initiatives, and political advocacy.