10 fun and interesting Bill Clinton facts

1. From Hope, Arkansas to President

On August 19th, 1946, William Jefferson Blythe III was born in the small town of Hope, Arkansas. This baby would later become the 42nd President of the United States, Bill Clinton. Growing up in Hope, Clinton was surrounded by the small-town values of hard work and community that would shape his political career.

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2. 3rd Youngest U.S. President Ever

At the age of 46, Bill Clinton became the third youngest President of the United States and the first of the 'baby boomer generation'. This marked a significant milestone in American history, as the baby boomer generation was the first to come of age in the post-World War II era, and Clinton's election signified a shift in the political landscape of the country. His presidency was marked by a number of progressive policies, including the passage of the Family and Medical Leave Act, the Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act, and the North American Free Trade Agreement.

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3. Georgetown, Yale, and a Lifetime of Influence

Bill Clinton is a distinguished alumnus of Georgetown University, having earned his undergraduate degree there. He then went on to Yale Law School, where he not only earned his law degree, but also met his future wife, Hillary Rodham Clinton. The two have been married since 1975 and have since become one of the most influential couples in the world.

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4. A Governor with a Record of Success

Bill Clinton served as the Governor of Arkansas for two non-consecutive terms, first from 1979 to 1981 and the second from 1983 to 1992. Prior to his governorship, he was the state's Attorney General from 1977 to 1979. During his time as Governor, he was credited with modernizing the state's infrastructure, improving education, and increasing economic growth. He also implemented a number of reforms to the state's criminal justice system. His tenure as Governor of Arkansas was marked by a period of unprecedented growth and prosperity for the state.

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5. Clinton: The Man Who Ended the Republican Era

In 1992, Bill Clinton ended the 12-year Republican rule of the White House when he defeated George H. W. Bush in the presidential election. His victory marked a new era of Democratic leadership, and he was re-elected in 1997, solidifying his place in history as one of the most successful presidents of the United States.

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6. Clinton's 1993 White House Travel Office Controversy

In 1993, Bill Clinton caused a stir when he abruptly fired seven employees of the White House Travel Office without providing any explanation for their dismissal. This incident, dubbed the 'White House Travel Office Controversy', sparked a wave of criticism from the public and media alike. The employees had been following Clinton's orders, yet were still let go without warning. The controversy was eventually resolved, but it left a lasting impression on the public's perception of the President.

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7. NAFTA: Bill Clinton's Major Achievement

In 1994, Bill Clinton made history when he signed the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) into law. This agreement, which was negotiated between the United States, Canada, and Mexico, was designed to reduce tariffs and other trade barriers between the three countries. The implementation of NAFTA has had a significant impact on the economies of all three countries, with the United States experiencing an increase in exports and a decrease in imports.

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8. Bill Clinton narrowly escapes assassination attempt

In 1996, Bill Clinton narrowly escaped an assassination attempt orchestrated by terrorists working for Osama Bin Laden, according to Ken Gormley's book 'The Death of American Virtue'. This near-fatal incident serves as a stark reminder of the dangers faced by the President of the United States, and the lengths to which some will go to achieve their goals.

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9. House of Representatives votes to impeach President Bill Clinton

In 1998, the Lewinsky scandal caused a huge uproar in the United States, leading to the House of Representatives voting to impeach President Bill Clinton for alleged perjury and obstruction of justice. The scandal, which involved Clinton's relationship with White House intern Monica Lewinsky, was one of the most high-profile political scandals in American history and resulted in a lengthy investigation by independent counsel Kenneth Starr. The House voted to impeach Clinton on December 19, 1998, making him the second president in U.S. history to be impeached.

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10. Bill Clinton's Active humanitarianism continues after leaving office

Since leaving office, Bill Clinton has been an active humanitarian and public speaker, dedicating his time to causes such as AIDS and global warming. To further his efforts, he established the William J. Clinton Foundation, which works to raise awareness and funds to combat these issues. Through his foundation, Clinton has been able to provide aid to those in need, as well as educate the public on the importance of taking action to protect our planet.