Historical clue formulations

• 10 years, for example — 2017-02-18
• Five to nine, maybe, but not nine to five — 2014-05-16
• Life or death — 2014-01-04
• Something handed down — 2011-01-29
• Follower of one's convictions — 2010-05-14
• It may follow one's convictions — 2000-06-24
• Life, for one — 1999-07-16
• It could be several years — 1997-02-21
• Ten years, maybe — 1996-07-26