Milestones

Ten years ago:

The U.S. Senate, rejecting a plea from President Reagan, overrode his veto of an $88 billion highway and mass transit bill that the president had denounced as containing “pork-barrel” items.

Five years ago: Mob boss John Gotti was convicted in New York of murder and racketeering; he was later sentenced to life in prison. French Premier Edith Cresson, who had served 10 turbulent months as France’s first woman prime minister, resigned after election setbacks for the ruling Socialists.

One year ago: A federal appeals court rejected New York state laws banning doctor-assisted suicide, saying it would be discriminatory to let people disconnect life support systems while refusing to let others end their lives with medication.