Historical clue formulations

• Really stood out — 2020-12-27
• Performed beautifully — 2017-04-22
• Like gleaming shoes — 2007-07-08
• Stood out — 2001-11-24
• Polished — 2000-05-10
• Did a bootblack's job — 2000-03-29
• Polished — 1997-10-12
• Spruced up, as shoes — 1996-04-01
• Used a buffer — 1995-07-20