On This Day

Monica Lewinsky scandal: US President Bill Clinton admits in taped testimony he had an "improper physical relationship"

Monica Lewinsky scandal: US President Bill Clinton admits in taped testimony he had an "improper physical relationship" with the intern and on the same day admits before the nation he "misled people" about the relationship

A sex scandal involving Bill Clinton, the president of the United States, and Monica Lewinsky, a White House intern, erupted in 1998. Their sexual relationship began in 1995—when Clinton was 49 years old and Lewinsky was 22 years old—and lasted 18 months, ending in 1997. Clinton ended televised remarks on January 26, 1998, with the later infamous statement: "I did not have sexual relations with that woman, Ms. Lewinsky." Further investigation led to charges of perjury and to the impeachment of Clinton in 1998 by the U.S. House of Representatives. He was subsequently acquitted on both impeachment charges, of perjury and obstruction of justice in a 21-day U.S.

Historical Significance

A sex scandal involving Bill Clinton, the president of the United States, and Monica Lewinsky, a White House intern, erupted in 1998.

Key People

Monica Lewinsky

– present

Bill Clinton

– present

Events Before

  1. The Republic of Zaire officially joins the World Trade Organization as Zaire

    The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), also known as the DR Congo, Congo-Kinshasa, or simply the Congo, or less often Zaire, is a country in Central Africa.

  2. "Smothers Brothers" actor-singer Dick Smothers (58) weds third wife Denby Franklin (47) in Las Vegas, Nevada; divorce in

    "Smothers Brothers" actor-singer Dick Smothers (58) weds third wife Denby Franklin (47) in Las Vegas, Nevada; divorce in 2006

  3. "Wall Street" actor Charlie Sheen (31) divorces model Donna Peele after nearly 5 months of marriage

    "Wall Street" actor Charlie Sheen (31) divorces model Donna Peele after nearly 5 months of marriage

  4. "Buffy the Vampire Slayer," created by Joss Whedon and starring Sarah Michelle Gellar, premieres on the WB Television Ne

    "Buffy the Vampire Slayer," created by Joss Whedon and starring Sarah Michelle Gellar, premieres on the WB Television Network

  5. American rapper Vanilla Ice (29) weds Laura Giarritta

    American rapper Vanilla Ice (29) weds Laura Giarritta

Events After

  1. Euro currency is introduced to world financial markets

    The European Currency Unit (French: Unité de compte européenne, Spanish: Unidad Monetaria Europea, German: Europäische Währungseinheit ; ⟨₠⟩, ECU, or XEU) was a unit of account used by the European...

  2. President Bill Clinton's impeachment trial begins in the US Senate after the House voted to impeach him for lying about

    President Bill Clinton's impeachment trial begins in the US Senate after the House voted to impeach him for lying about his affair with Monica Lewinsky

  3. "The Sopranos", starring James Gandolfini as mobster Tony Soprano, debuts on HBO

    The Sopranos is an American crime drama television series created by David Chase. The series follows Tony Soprano (James Gandolfini), a New Jersey Mafia boss who suffers from panic attacks.

  4. American actress Angelina Jolie (23) divorces actor Jonny Lee Miller (26) after 3 years of marriage

    Angelina Jolie is an American actress, filmmaker, and humanitarian. She is the recipient of numerous accolades, including an Academy Award, a Tony Award and three Golden Globe Awards.

  5. US President Bill Clinton is acquitted by the Senate in his impeachment trial

    The impeachment trial of Bill Clinton, the 42nd president of the United States, began in the U.S. Senate on January 7, 1999, and concluded with his acquittal on February 12.

More from the 1990s

Frequently Asked Questions

What happened on August 17, 1998?
A sex scandal involving Bill Clinton, the president of the United States, and Monica Lewinsky, a White House intern, erupted in 1998. Their sexual relationship began in 1995—when Clinton was 49 years old and Lewinsky was 22 years old—and lasted 18 months, ending in 1997. Clinton ended televised remarks on January 26, 1998, with the later infamous statement: "I did not have sexual relations with that woman, Ms.
Why is Monica Lewinsky scandal: US President Bill Clinton admits in taped testimony ... significant?
A sex scandal involving Bill Clinton, the president of the United States, and Monica Lewinsky, a White House intern, erupted in 1998.
Who was involved in Monica Lewinsky scandal: US President Bill Clinton admits in taped testimony ...?
Key figures include Monica Lewinsky, Bill Clinton.

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