Milestones

Ten years ago: A federal appeals court in Washington, D.C., rejected Lt. Col. Oliver North’s argument that the independent counsel investigating the Iran-Contra affair was operating under an invalid Justice Department regulation.

Five years ago: In the early hours of Aug. 20, the Republican National Convention in Houston renominated President Bush and Vice President Quayle. On the evening of the 20th, Bush delivered a hard-hitting speech in which he attacked the Democrats and promised to seek across-the-board tax cuts if reelected.

One year ago: President Clinton approved the first minimum-wage increase in five years, raising the hourly minimum by 90 cents to $5.15 per hour over 13 months.