The answers to the clues below will have something in common.

1. A Tale of Two Cities opening situation
2. Wars and rumors of wars
3. Difficult challenges according to Thomas Paine
4. Period of adversity
5. Not up to date
6. New York City landmark
7. Traditional elementary school recital
8. Better days
9. LA and NY

Answers:

1. The best of times and the worst of times
2. Signs of the times
3. Times that try men's souls
4. Hard times
5. Behind the times
6. Times Square
7. Times tables
8. Happier times
9. LA Times and NY Times

Credit: LA Times Crossword
Sylvia Bursztyn and Barry Tunick (#1-3)
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