1996: France

Archives consist of articles that originally appeared in Collier's Year Book (for events of 1997 and earlier) or as monthly updates in Encarta Yearbook (for events of 1998 and later). Because they were published shortly after events occurred, they reflect the information available at that time. Cross references refer to Archive articles of the same year.

The death of former President François Mitterand in early 1996 marked the end of an era for France. The country's economy continued to languish. There was renewed public debate about immigration and the persistent strength of the extreme right, and, on the occasion of a state visit by Pope John... ...