1989: The world economy is in recession with several countries suffering from huge, hyperinflation rates in the triple digits.

Today: The United States, as well as much of the world, has enjoyed a prolonged period of economic stability, mostly due to new technologies developed for and requiring computers.

1989: Many of the countries in eastern Europe and western Asia belong to the Union of Soviet Socialists Republic, or U.S.S.R., which was formed after the Russian Revolution of 1917.

Today: After the Soviet Union disbanded in 1991, some of its former member countries joined the Commonwealth of Independent States, but this group is not nearly the world class superpower that the U.S.S.R. was.

1989: Ghost stories, such as this one, traveled by word of mouth from one person to another.

Today: Stories travel the world within minutes via the Internet. There are also Web sites...