1984: Many veterans who returned in the 1960s and 1970s from Vietnam continue to suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder. The assumption is that Vietnam vets are like Big Antek, struggling with the fracture that military service has made of their lives.

Today: Because of experiences with returning Vietnam veterans, the U.S. government increases its efforts to care for veterans' mental health, although such programs are not always properly funded.

1984: High school students dropping out of school can find well-paying, hard labor jobs.

Today: Many manual labor jobs go overseas. High school education is necessary for even basic employment in the post-computer age economy.

1984: Stories about ice houses and trolley cars contain enough familiar elements to be romanticized by those telling neighborhood legends.

Today: Legends still pop up about modern ideas such as cell phones and chat rooms. Some websites specifically report on urban legends...