Milestones

Ten years ago: Namibia became an independent nation, marking the end of 75 years of South African rule.

Five years ago: In Tokyo, 12 people were killed, more than 5,500 others sickened when packages containing the poisonous gas sarin leaked on five separate subway trains. Commentator Pat Buchanan formally launched his presidential campaign in New Hampshire.

One year ago: Bertrand Piccard of Switzerland and Brian Jones of Britain became the first aviators to fly a hot-air balloon around the world nonstop. The Yugoslav army, taking advantage of the departure of international monitors from Kosovo, launched a furious offensive against outgunned ethnic Albanian rebels.