Historical clue formulations

• Not quite right ... or a hint to this puzzle's circled letters — 2025-04-15
• Words to a first runner-up — 2008-06-23
• A bit off, sadly — 2006-06-16
• "A winner … almost" — 2005-05-27
• "Not quite" — 2004-05-06
• "Almost!" — 2004-01-02