Milestones

Ten years ago: President Reagan nominated federal appeals court Judge Robert H. Bork to the Supreme Court, setting off a tempestuous confirmation process that ended with Bork’s rejection by the Senate.

Five years ago: California issued its first state IOUs since the Great Depression as a budget standoff left the state cashless on the first day of its fiscal year.

One year ago: Twelve members of an Arizona anti-government group, the Viper Militia, were charged with plotting to blow up government buildings. Also, President Clinton declared an emergency in drought-stricken parts of the Southwest.