Ten years ago: A federal appeals court ruled that court appointment of independent counsels to investigate allegations of wrongdoing by high-ranking government officials was unconstitutional; however, the Supreme Court upheld the law the following June.

Five years ago: President Clinton resumed his search for an attorney general, following the early-morning withdrawal of nominee Zoe Baird in the face of a complaints over her hiring of illegal aliens.

One year ago: The Senate confirmed Madeleine Albright as the nation’s first female secretary of state and former Republican Sen. William Cohen as defense secretary.