January ninth

Five years ago: In New York, the trial of Sheik Omar Abdel-Rahman and eleven other defendants accused of conspiring to wage a holy war against the United States began. (All the defendants were convicted of seditious conspiracy, except for two who had reached plea agreements with the government.) Severe flooding forced people to flee resort communities in the hills north of San Francisco. British comedian Peter Cook died in London at age 57.

One year ago: At the White House, presidential advisers prepared a public and legal defense in President Clinton's impeachment trial on charges of perjury and obstruction of justice; Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott, meanwhile, pledged %26quot;above all, fairness%26quot; to the president.