The House Judiciary Committee originally drew up four articles of impeachment against President Bill Clinton, but the House of Representatives only approved (by majority vote) two of the Articles: Article I charged the president with having committed perjury; and Article II charged him with obstruction of justice.

Several incidents led to the Clinton impeachment trial:

• The Whitewater investigation: President Clinton had been accused of illegal activities involving a real estate deal dating back to 1978 in Arkansas. In January 1994, after continuous pressure by opponents, the Clinton administration appointed a special prosecutor to investigate the accusations. Formed during the 1970s Watergate scandal, the office of special prosecutor is a temporary position convened by the U.S. attorney general to conduct an independent investigation of officials in the Executive branch accused of wrongdoing. Kenneth Starr assumed the position of special prosecutor in August...