DATELINE: CUBA / THE MYSTERIOUS ISLAND, THEN AND NOW : Havana, 1980:

About 125,000 Cuban refugees, seeking asylum, are brought to the United States by boat. Miami, the closest major American city, set up temporary shelters to house the refugees.

Havana, 1991:

OK, just to see if you have been paying attention, here is a Pan American Games pop quiz:

1. Entertainment at the opening ceremony was provided by: (a) Bolivia Newton-John. (b) Argentina Turner. (c) The Bahamas and the Papas. (d) Reggae Jackson.

2. The first event, the marathon, was won by someone named: (a) Alberto Cuba. (b) Fernando Venezuela. (c) Alberto Estados Unidos. (d) Pheippides Cuba.

3. Cuba’s major concern was: (a) Making sure the boats in the yachting competition came back. (b) Arming the right people in the shooting competition. (c) Teaching the United States a thing or two about roller hockey. (d) Getting all those pigs out of the bay.

4. Every stadium here bore the slogan: (a) “Sport is the right of the people.” (b) “You don’t have to play a sport good to be a good sport.” (c) “Do well or else.” (d) “Support the Runnin’ Rebels.”

5. Next, Havana hopes to play host to: (a) Super Bowl Treinta. (b) The ’96 Democratic Convention. (c) The Pot-Am Games. (d) Jose Canseco’s comeback trip to show Madonna his apartment.