DECEMBER 19

On this date in 1998, President Bill Clinton was impeached by the U.S. House of Representatives on one count of perjury and one of obstructing justice.  Independent counsel Kenneth Starr had collected information for the House of Representatives Judiciary Committee relative to their inquiry.  The charges had to do with his extra-marital affair with 22 year-old White House intern, Monica Lewinsky and the lies he told following the charges.   Clinton was exonerated during the proceeding which ended in February of the following year.  A 2/3 majority vote of the Senate is required for conviction and the Democrats held enough seats to prevent that.  

Clinton was only the second President to be impeached.  Andrew Johnson was the first in 1868.  He was charged with "high crimes and misdemeanors" when he tried to replace the Secretary of War against the wishes of congress.  Johnson was also acquitted.   Richard Nixon resigned prior to an impeachment inquiry being completed against him.  
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