Wednesday, January 7: A 24-year old former White House intern, Monica Lewinsky gives a sworn statement in the Paula Jones sexual harassment case that she did not have a sexual relationship with the President.

Saturday, January 17: Mr Clinton gives nearly six hours of sworn testimony to Paula Jones' lawyers at the offices of his personal lawyer, Robert Bennett. The arrival of Paula Jones at the hearing as an observer sets off a media frenzy in Washington.

Sunday, January 18 Story spreads across the Internet after maverick reporter Matt Drudge reports that a Newsweek article detailing an alleged affair had been spiked.

Wednesday, January 21: The Washington Post reports the existence of secretly recorded tapes on which Monica Lewinsky and her friend Linda Tripp discussed the affair and whether to lie under oath.

It also reveals that Special Prosecutor Kenneth Starr is investigating the President's alleged sexual relationship with Monica Lewinsky and allegations that she was asked to lie about it under oath. Incitement to perjury is an impeachable offence in the United States.

In an interview with the PBS television network, Mr Clinton denies the allegations.

Thursday, January 22: The Washington Post reports that Clinton admitted, for the first time, in his deposition to Jones's lawyers that he had a sexual relationship with former nightclub singer Gennifer Flowers. Mr Clinton had denied a sexual relationship during the 1992 election campaign.

Friday, January 23: Miss Lewinsky's questioning by Jones's lawyers in the civil suit, is postponed indefinitely. Her lawyer, William Ginsburg, says his client will cooperate with Mr Starr's investigation only if she gets full immunity from prosecution.

Mr Clinton's popularity rating falls from 60% to 50% after the charges break, according to a CNN-Time poll.

Saturday, January 24: Literary agent Lucianne Goldberg, a longtime Republican supporter and fierce opponent of Mr Clinton, announces she persuaded Mrs Tripp to record Lewinsky's confidences.

Mr Clinton hires Mickey Kantor, a close friend and former US trade representative and commerce secretary, to represent him in the scandal.

Sunday, January 25: Mr Clinton's team begins damage control with a verbal offensive against Mr Starr on the Sunday morning television talk shows. An NBC poll shows more than two-thirds of Americans think President Clinton has not told the whole story about Miss Lewinsky. Republican Senator John Ashcroft calls for Clinton to resign if he is guilty of the affair and of perjury.

Monday, January 26: Again, Mr Clinton vigorously denies a liaison with Lewinsky and subsequent cover-up. "These allegations are false," the President says.

Tuesday, January 27:First Lady Hillary Clinton gives an interview on national television defending her husband. She alleges that the allegations are part of a vast right-wing conspiracy against Bill Clinton.

Mr Clinton's personal secretary, Bettie Currie, testifies before the grand jury. The Washington Post reported that Ms Currie testified that she had cleared Miss Lewinsky to enter the White House the evening of December 28, 11 days after she received a subpoena to testify on her alleged affair with the president.

Bill Clinton addresses Congress and the nation in his annual State of the Union address. He speaks of good times for America but says nothing about the sex scandal threatening his presidency.

Wednesday, January 28: Mrs Clinton defends her husband again on US breakfast television, saying it will take time for the truth to emerge. "When the truth comes out this, like all the other allegations that have been levelled against us over the years, will fade away and all the good work my husband has done will stand," she said.

Former White House Chief of Staff Leon Panetta testifies before the grand jury. After eight hours of interrogation, he told reporters he knew nothing that would incriminate Clinton.

Thursday, January 29: New polls reveal that President Clinton's approval rating are at an all-time high. A CNN poll reported that the president's approval ratings had reached an all-time-high of 67%. The Wall Street Journal and NBC also showed Mr Clinton's approval rating had jumped from 59% to 68% during the allegations of misconduct.

The judge in the Paula Jones sexual harassment case rules that any evidence given by Monica Lewinsky will not be allowed because it is not "essential to core issues"

Monica Lewinsky's lawyer tells reporters he is preparing his client's defence, indicating no progress in talks with the Special Prosecutor to grant immunity for her testimony. It is thought that she is not prepared to give evidence that Mr Clinton asked her to lie.

Friday, January 30: Just as the scandal seemed to be winding down, Linda Tripp issues a two-page statement saying that she overheard a late-night telephone call between the president and Monica Lewinsky and had seen many of the gifts they exchanged.

Thursday, February 5: The visiting British Prime Minister, Tony Blair, refuses to be drawn into the 'sex and lies' allegations against President Clinton.

Asked in an ABC Television interview whether he considers "moral rectitude to be a necessary component of national leadership," Mr Blair replies: "We all have a view about it. ... I know what you're trying to lead me into and I'm not going to get led into it."

Friday, February 6: American media reports say Monica Lewinsky has until the end of Friday to reach an immunity deal with the independent prosecutor, Kenneth Starr.

Mr Starr says he cannot not offer the former White House intern immunity unless she agrees to a face-to-face meeting.

Sunday March 15: A former White House worker, Katherine Willey goes on TV to accuse Bill Clinton of sexually fondling her in the White House. The administration fights back with an exchange of letters

Wednesday April 2: A federal judge dismisses Paula Jones's sexual harassment lawsuit Judge Susan Webber Wright said her lawyers had failed to provide enough evidence to prove it could win at trial.

Wednesday April 29: A federal judge rules that Monica Lewinsky is not immune from testifying before Kenneth Starr.

Wednesday May 27: A federal judge orders Monica Lewinsky to provide handwriting, fingerprint, and voice samples for Independent Counsel Kenneth Starr.

Thursday May 28: Independent Counsel Kenneth Starr petitions the Supreme Court to quickly resolve his executive privilege battle with President Clinton.

Friday May 29: A federal judge turns down President Clinton's request that his two aides, Sydney Blumenthal and Bruce Lindsey should not be required to give evidence because of executive privilege.

Monday June 1: President Clinton drops claims of executive privilege. His lawyers say they will still fight a subpoena of White House counsel Bruce Lindsey under attorney-client privilege.

Tuesday June 2: Monica Lewinsky fires her lawyer, William Ginsburg, and replaces him with two prominent Washington lawyers Jacob Stein and Plato Cacheris, who are experienced in political prosecutions.