1968: The Americans are caught in a space race with the Soviets to reach the moon. Many predict moon colonies and interplanetary travel.

Late 1990s: The Americans and the Russians are working together on an international space station. There is talk about returning to the moon because ice crystals were discovered at the lunar poles. A return to the moon, some hope, will be a first step to the colonization of Mars.

1968: The Pacific Rim economies are humming. Japan leads the way by passing West Germany to become second to the United States in terms of Gross Domestic Product.

Late 1990s: The Pacific Rim is in financial crisis, if not collapse. Japanese financial companies are frantically warding off bankruptcy after having overextended themselves over the previous decade. The "Asian Contagion" sets off fears of a worldwide financial crisis.

1968: Amphibians seem fine although increasing numbers of...