Milestones

Ten years ago: In a dramatic concession to South Africa’s black majority, President F.W. de Klerk lifted a ban on the African National Congress and promised to free Nelson Mandela.

Five years ago: President Clinton nominated Henry Foster Jr. to succeed fired Surgeon General Joycelyn Elders; however, Foster’s nomination was later defeated in the Senate.

One year ago: A federal jury in Portland ordered abortion foes who had created “wanted” posters and a Web site listing the names and addresses of “baby butchers” to pay $107 million in damages; the defendants said they would appeal.