On December 19, 1998, the United States witnessed a rare constitutional moment when President Bill Clinton was impeached by the House of Representatives.

Decades earlier, Adolf Hitler consolidated military power by taking direct command of Germany’s army during World War II.

In Asia, Britain and China reached a landmark agreement in 1984 to return Hong Kong to Chinese sovereignty.

And in 1843, Charles Dickens published A Christmas Carol, a work that reshaped the spirit and social meaning of Christmas across generations.

We take a brief look at these events as part of Firstpost's ongoing History Today series.

Bill Clinton is impeached

On December 19, 1998, the United States House of Representatives impeached President Bill Clinton, making him only the second president in American history — after Andrew Johnson in 1868 — to be impeached.

The impeachment stemmed from allegations that Clinton had lied under oath and obstructed justice in connection with his relationship with White House intern Monica Lewinsky.



Though Clinton would later be acquitted by the Senate, the impeachment marked one of the most consequential political crises in modern American history.

The impeachment was the culmination of a series of investigations that initially had nothing to do with Lewinsky.

Independent Counsel Kenneth Starr had been appointed in the mid-1990s to investigate the Whitewater real estate controversy involving Clinton and First Lady Hillary Clinton.

Over time, the scope of Starr’s investigation expanded to include other allegations, including Paula Jones’ sexual harassment lawsuit against Clinton.

It was during the Jones case that Clinton was questioned under oath about any inappropriate relationships with government employees. In January 1998, reports emerged that Clinton had engaged in a sexual relationship with Monica Lewinsky.

Clinton publicly denied the allegations, famously stating that he “did not have sexual relations with that woman.” Evidence later contradicted this claim.

In September 1998, Kenneth Starr submitted a report to Congress outlining 11 possible grounds for impeachment.

The Starr Report alleged that Clinton had committed perjury before a grand jury, perjury in the Paula Jones deposition, obstruction of justice, witness tampering, and abuse of power. The report, which included explicit details, was made public.

While Clinton admitted to having an inappropriate relationship with Lewinsky, he maintained that his statements were legally accurate and denied any criminal wrongdoing. Nonetheless, the House Judiciary Committee moved forward with impeachment proceedings.

On December 19, 1998, the Republican-controlled House voted on four articles of impeachment:

• Perjury before a grand jury – approved


• Obstruction of justice – approved


• Perjury in the Paula Jones deposition – rejected


• Abuse of power – rejected

The approval of the first two articles formally impeached Clinton. The votes largely followed party lines, showcasing the deep partisan rift in Washington.

Despite the gravity of impeachment, public opinion remained surprisingly supportive of Clinton.

Throughout the scandal, his approval ratings remained high, driven in part by strong economic performance, low unemployment, and budget surpluses.

Many Americans viewed the impeachment as excessive or politically motivated, while others argued it was necessary to uphold the rule of law.

The 1998 midterm elections, held weeks before the impeachment vote, resulted in losses for the Republican Party — an unusual outcome for a party out of power.

The impeachment moved to the Senate in January 1999, where Chief Justice William Rehnquist presided over the trial. Senators served as jurors, and House impeachment managers presented the prosecution case.

On February 12, 1999, the Senate voted to acquit Clinton on both charges. Neither article reached the required two-thirds majority for conviction.

Clinton completed his second term, remaining in office until January 2001.

The Clinton impeachment also set a modern precedent for impeachment proceedings, shaping how future cases — including those involving incumbent US President Donald Trump — would be interpreted and conducted.

Hitler takes over the German Army

On December 19, 1941, Adolf Hitler assumed direct command of the German armed forces, removing Field Marshal Walther von Brauchitsch as commander-in-chief of the army.

This decision came at a critical moment during World War II, shortly after Germany’s invasion of the Soviet Union had stalled and following the United States’ entry into the war.

Hitler’s move concentrated military and political authority in his own hands, bypassing professional military leadership.

From this point onward, strategic decisions were increasingly shaped by ideology rather than military pragmatism. Hitler issued rigid orders forbidding retreats, even when tactical withdrawals might have saved German forces.

Historians widely regard this centralisation of command as a major factor in Germany’s eventual defeat. The decision deepened internal dissent within the Wehrmacht and eroded the army’s operational flexibility.

Britain returns Hong Kong to China

On December 19, 1984, Britain and China signed the Sino-British Joint Declaration, formalising the agreement that Hong Kong would be returned to Chinese sovereignty in 1997.

The agreement ended over 150 years of British colonial rule and established the framework for Hong Kong’s future under the “one country, two systems” principle.

Under the declaration, China committed to preserving Hong Kong’s capitalist system, legal autonomy, and civil liberties for 50 years after the handover. The deal was registered with the United Nations, giving it international standing.

At the time, the agreement was seen as a pragmatic compromise that balanced sovereignty with stability. In later decades, tensions over Beijing’s interpretation of the agreement would fuel political unrest in Hong Kong.

“A Christmas Carol” is published

On December 19, 1843, Charles Dickens published A Christmas Carol, a novella that would become one of the most enduring works of English literature.

Written in response to social inequality and poverty in Victorian Britain, the story follows Ebenezer Scrooge’s moral transformation after encounters with three Christmas spirits.

The book was an immediate success, selling out its first print run within days.

Beyond its literary impact, A Christmas Carol reshaped cultural perceptions of Christmas, emphasising generosity, compassion, and social responsibility.

Dickens’ work influenced charitable practices and helped revive Christmas traditions that persist today. More than a century later, the novella remains a staple of global culture, adapted into countless films, plays, and retellings.

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With inputs from agencies

It is set to be a busy Friday with several events lined up for the day.

Firstly, Russian President Vladimir Putin will hold an annual end-of-year press conference today in Moscow. Meanwhile, the deadline for the Department of Justice (DOJ) to release the unclassified Jeffrey Epstein investigation files is today.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is scheduled to arrive in Warsaw in a bid to set good relations with Poland's new leadership. President Donald Trump is scheduled to deliver a major address in Rocky Mount, North Carolina. The rare interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS will make its closest approach to Earth.

Here is all that will take place on this day across the world.

Putin annual press conference

Russian President Vladimir Putin will hold his annual end-of-year press conference today in Moscow. This has been a constant in his 25-year tenure.

He will also hold a 'Direct Line' Q&A session. The event will use a hybrid "Results of the Year" format, merging the traditional large-scale press conference for journalists with the "Direct Line" call-in show where ordinary citizens ask questions directly.

Now nearing its fourth anniversary, the "Special Military Operation" remains a primary focus. Putin is expected to reinforce Russia's objectives in the Donbas and comment on recent Western diplomatic pressure. Putin is anticipated to highlight Russia's economic resilience under Western sanctions.

Deadline to release the Epstein files

Today marks the deadline for the Department of Justice (DOJ) to release the unclassified Jeffrey Epstein investigation files. This deadline was established by the Epstein Files Transparency Act, which President Donald Trump signed into law on November 19.



The release must include all unclassified records, communications, and investigative materials related to the investigation and prosecution of Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell.

In preparation for the deadline, federal judges in New York and Florida have recently ordered the unsealing of grand jury transcripts and other secret evidence related to the case.

Zelenskky in Poland

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is scheduled to visit Poland today in a bid to reset relations with Poland's new leadership. The trip marks his first face-to-face meeting with President Karol Nawrocki since Nawrocki took office in August 2025.

The two leaders will focus on three primary pillars, namely, regional security, bilateral economic cooperation, and sensitive historical issues. The Ukrainian leader will visit the Polish parliament (Sejm), where he will meet with Marshal Wlodzimierz Czarzasty.

Trump rally in North Carolina

President Donald Trump is scheduled to deliver a major address in Rocky Mount, North Carolina, today. The event will be held at the Rocky Mount Event Center, which is a critical stop in his "America First" tour as he works to defend his second-term economic record ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.



Some of the events on which Trump will be focusing include Trump's recently announced one-time $1,776 bonus for 1.45 million active-duty military service members, with checks intended to arrive before Christmas. Trump is also expected to speak on the economic situation in the country, which saw a 4.6 per cent unemployment rate in November. He is likely to speak on "aggressive housing reform plans" for the new year to address affordability.

Intersteller comet closest approach to Earth

The rare interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS is likely to make its closest approach to Earth today. At its nearest point, 3I/ATLAS will remain at a very safe distance of approximately 1.8 astronomical units (roughly 168–170 million miles or 270 million kilometres) from Earth.

This celestial event marks only the third time a confirmed object from another star system has passed through our neighborhood, following the famous visitors 1I/ʻOumuamua in 2017 and 2I/Borisov in 2019.

Unlike local comets that orbit our Sun, 3I/ATLAS is travelling on a hyperbolic trajectory, meaning it is just passing through once and will eventually exit our solar system forever.

With inputs from agencies

The year 2026 is not far away.

Already, many workers are eagerly looking forward to increasing their pay packets and bank balances.

According to a new report from investment and consulting firm Mercer, Indian firms will likely hand out an average salary increase of around nine per cent in 2026. According to the report, employers will continue to have the upper hand over employees next year.

The development comes as artificial intelligence (AI) is poised to play a bigger role in the decision-making of companies in 2026.

But what does the report say? What impact would the new Labour Code have on take-home salaries?
Let’s take a closer look.

What the report says

Mercer on Tuesday released its India ‘Total Remuneration Survey 2026’. The survey traced compensation trends over 8,000 roles and across 1,500 companies across the country.

Mercer said the underlying factors that determine salary remain the same. These comprise an employee’s performance, their position within the salary range, inflation and how competitive the organisation wishes to be when it comes to the talent market – keeping in mind its balance sheet and a focus on cost.

According to Mercer, those working in product and consulting and in the manufacturing, engineering and automotive industries will likely receive the highest increments in 2026 at 9.3 per cent and 9.5 per cent respectively. On the other hand, those working in information technology (IT), Information Technology Enabled Services (ITES) and Global Capability Centres (GCC) sectors will receive innovative and progressive employee benefits. This is in line with the sector’s commitment to enhancing employee well-being and engagement.

The salaries of those working in fields such as life sciences, and consumer and retail, will remain stagnant. When it comes to attracting and retaining top talent, employers will be focused on short-term incentives such as bonuses, performance pay and refining compensation. Companies will also likely reward those who continue to acquire new skills. They will also look to ensure that attrition levels normalise and will likely be cautious on new hires in general.

“Our survey shows most organisations in India will continue to plan pay increases in line with balancing cost pressures and talent retention. Alongside this, there is a growing emphasis on skills-based organisation architecture, talent assessments to better align workforce capabilities with evolving business needs and pay programmes to drive desired outcomes,” Malathi KS, Mercer’s Rewards Consulting Leader India, said.

What about the new labour codes?

The Mercer report said that implementation of the newly approved labour codes will tighten the social security net and preventive healthcare.

“As India embraces digital transformation, navigates shifting workforce expectations and sharpens its focus on productivity, revisiting the number of employees eligible to receive an increment is a strategy being adopted by some companies to manage costs,” Mercer’s Career Business Leader, India, Mansee Singhal said.



“This is a time for leaders to review their priorities and build stronger cultures embedded in a high-performance ethos, making empowerment and accountability go hand in hand, and fostering a fit-for-purpose value proposition.”

However, according to Moneycontrol, the new labour codes have made companies calculate additional expenses on employees. The codes could result in companies having to increase social security contributions, which in turn will inflate their own costs.

Under the new codes, taxable income and contributions to superannuation will increase, cutting down take-home salary, and it will also have an impact on firms’ profit and loss as liabilities will grow due to leave and gratuity. The new codes require companies to provide free medical check-ups to all employees aged 40 and above, which could add to the cost burden.

The role of AI

According to the report, companies will likely move towards transparent, skill-based pay structures in the backdrop of greater adoption of AI.

According to a report in The Times of India, those earning high salaries in 2026 will have specialised digital and technical skills such as cybersecurity, cloud architecture, AI integration and data handling.



Even blue-collar tech roles such as EV technicians, automated manufacturing operators and niche skilled workers will see relatively better compensation due to greater demand. Digital fluency and AI literacy will be essential across many roles, and not just in pure tech jobs.

Certifications and niche credentials such as EV safety, drone piloting and IoT maintenance will become key differentiators. Basic digital literacy and comfort with workplace tech tools, from inventory apps to workflow systems, are no longer optional. Adaptability, quick learning and the ability to use tech effectively are highly valued traits.

“Broadly, the roles that seem to be moving fastest are the ones that combine strong execution, good communication and comfort with digital tools,” Kartik Narayan, CEO at jobs marketplace Apna.co, told the newspaper. “AI fluency is becoming something most people will need to be comfortable with… not from a technical angle, but simply knowing how to use AI tools to work a little faster, understand things better and make sharper calls,” Narayan added.

With inputs from agencies