In short
On November 3, 1992, American voters elected Bill Clinton, the 46-year-old governor of Arkansas, to the presidency, ending 12 years of Republican control of the White House. Clinton's ticket with Tennessee senator Al Gore defeated incumbent president George H. W. Bush and independent businessman Ross Perot in a three-way race that reshaped American politics and signaled a generational shift in the electorate.
How it unfolded.
The five-minute version
What actually happened.
Presidential elections were held in the United States on November 3, 1992. The Democratic ticket of Arkansas governor Bill Clinton and Tennessee junior senator Al Gore defeated incumbent Republican president George H. W. Bush and vice president Dan Quayle and the independent ticket of businessman Ross Perot and vice admiral James Stockdale.
As it was happening
12 voices, 337 days.
One beat at a time. Click any dot on the timeline to jump, press play for autoplay, or use the arrow keys to step.
Super Tuesday primaries
Clinton emerges as the frontrunner in Democratic primaries after strong performances across multiple Southern and border states, consolidating support despite earlier scandals.
Voices from this moment (1)
Super Tuesday primaries
Feb 18
“Clinton emerges as the frontrunner in Democratic primaries…”
As it was happening
12 voices, 337 days.
Day 0 · February 18, 1992
Super Tuesday primaries
Clinton emerges as the frontrunner in Democratic primaries after strong performances across multiple Southern and border states, consolidating support despite earlier scandals.
“Clinton emerges as the frontrunner in Democratic primaries…”
- Super Tuesday primaries, Feb 18
Day 142 · July 9, 1992
Clinton-Gore ticket announced
Clinton selects Tennessee Senator Al Gore as his running mate, pairing two young Southerners to reshape the Democratic coalition away from traditional power brokers.
“Clinton selects Tennessee Senator Al Gore as his running…”
- Clinton-Gore ticket announced, Jul 9
Day 146 · July 13, 1992
Democratic National Convention
The Democratic Convention in New York formalizes Clinton-Gore nomination and launches their fall campaign with a focus on the economy and generational change.
“The Democratic Convention in New York formalizes…”
- Democratic National Convention, Jul 13
Day 181 · August 17, 1992
Republican National Convention
George H.W. Bush and Dan Quayle are renominated in Houston as the incumbent ticket, but internal party divisions and economic discontent complicate their path forward.
“George H.”
- Republican National Convention, Aug 17
Day 236 · October 11, 1992
Three-way presidential debate
Clinton, Bush, and Perot appear together at the Washington University debate in St. Louis. Perot's strong performance amplifies his campaign momentum and anti-establishment appeal.
“Clinton, Bush, and Perot appear together at the Washington…”
- Three-way presidential debate, Oct 11
Day 240 · October 15, 1992
Second presidential debate
Town hall debate in Richmond, Virginia, features the famous moment where Bush appears to check his watch—a visual that reinforces perceptions of his disconnection from voters.
“Town hall debate in Richmond, Virginia, features the famous…”
- Second presidential debate, Oct 15
Day 259 · November 3, 1992
Election Day
Voters choose Clinton in a decisive three-way contest. Clinton wins 370 electoral votes; Bush receives 168; Perot wins no electoral votes but captures 19% of the popular vote.
“We've sent a message.”
- Post-election statement, November 1992, Nov 4
“We won this on three words: 'It's the economy, stupid.”
- Post-election interviews, November 1992, Nov 5
“Tonight, we proclaim that the American people have voted to…”
- Election night speech, Little Rock Convention Center, Nov 4
“Voters choose Clinton in a decisive three-way contest.”
- Election Day, Nov 3
Day 306 · December 20, 1992
Electoral College vote
The Electoral College formally casts 538 votes, confirming Clinton-Gore's victory with 370 electors voting for the Democratic ticket.
“The Electoral College formally casts 538 votes, confirming…”
- Electoral College vote, Dec 20
Day 337 · January 20, 1993
Inauguration
Bill Clinton is sworn in as the 42nd President of the United States, with Al Gore as Vice President. Clinton becomes the first president born after World War II.
“Bill Clinton is sworn in as the 42nd President of the…”
- Inauguration, Jan 20
The numbers.
7 numbers that anchor the scale.
By the numbers
The countable parts.
Clinton electoral votes
0
Bush electoral votes
0
Voter turnout
0.0% of eligible voters
Clinton age at election
0
Captured in time.
Captured before it changed
The web as it looked, the day it happened.
Wayback Machine snapshots of the pages people actually loaded that day. Click any card to open the archive at full size.
Sources & citations.
Sources
Where this came from.
Every claim on this page traces to a public, license-clean source. We don't asterisk well.
Wikipedia
1 source- 1.