Historical clue formulations

• With 39-Across, superior — 2022-02-02
• ___ above — 2017-01-05
• ___ above (better than) — 2016-08-22
• ___ above — 2001-02-21
• ___ above — 2001-02-09
• ___ above the rest — 1998-12-23
• ___ above — 1998-01-30
• _____ above (superior to) — 1995-03-26