The story of the Clarence Thomas-Anita Hill controversy is the focus of a new film, Confirmation, premiering Saturday on HBO.
On July 1, 1991 President George H.W. Bush nominated Thomas to fill a vacancy on the Supreme Court.
Thomas seemed well on his way to being confirmed by the Senate until Hill's allegations of sexual harassment were leaked. Hill was called to testify before the Senate Judiciary Committee, which led to several days of stunning testimony by Hill and fervent denial of the accusations by Thomas.
While the allegations against Thomas were never proven, the hearing is widely credited with bringing the issue of workplace sexual harassment into the national spotlight.