1980s: Francois Mitterrand is elected president of France, becoming the first Socialist president of the Fifth Republic. A popular leader, Mitterrand wins re-election in 1988 and becomes the longest-serving president in the history of France.

Today: The elimination of Socialist leader Lionel Jospin in the first round of the presidential election in France is the biggest political shock to any liberal democracy in western Europe since the end of the Second World War. As a result, voters from several parties unite to elect "Rally for the Republic" candidate Jacques Chirac, in order to soundly defeat far-rightwinger Jean-Marie le Pen in the final round.

1980s: MTV is launched on cable television, featuring around-the-clock music videos and impertinent, flashy "video jockeys" (or "V-Jays") who become nearly as popular among young viewers as the videos themselves.

Today: MTV has greatly reduced its airing of music videos in favor...