Tiananmen Square As a defining moment in CNN's 25 years of news coverage, we take a look at the 1989 crackdown at Tiananmen Square in Beijing. Play video

Mikhail Gorbachev The western media dubbed him "Gorby." Mikhail Gorbachev was the antithesis of a Soviet leader, embracing reforms which eventually put him out of a job. Play video

Christa McAuliffe CNN looks back at the life and legacy of Christa McAuliffe and what her family is doing today. Play video

Madeline Albright She was a physical therapist whose career at the White House led her to become the country's first woman secretary of state. Play video

Jerry John Rawlings He was known to many as "J.J.," but his leadership style was not nearly as casual. CNN looks at where Jerry John Rawlings is now. Play video

Jessica Lynch CNN catches up with former POW Jessica Lynch and where she is today. Play video

Lech Walesa As part of CNN's anniversary series 'Then & Now,' we look at labor activist Lech Walesa and where he is today. Play video

Mark Fuhrman As part of CNN’s anniversary series ‘Then & Now,’ we look at Mark Fuhrman and where he is today. Play video

Jessica McClure She was the miracle toddler who defied odds from the bottom of a well. CNN takes a look back at Jessica McClure and where she is today. Play video

Sally Ride In 1983, Sally Ride was the first American woman in space. Today, the astronaut is using her love of science to motivate others. Play video

Terry Waite Hostage experience still shapes Terry Waite's life. Play video

Denise Brown CNN checks in with Denise Brown to see how her sister's murder turned Denise's life in a new direction. Play video

Edye Lucas Edye Lucas was a young mother who lost her two sons in the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing. CNN looks back at where she was and where she is today. Play video

Shimon Peres Known as a peacemaker, a warrior and a perennial statesman, Shimon Peres has held the office of Israeli prime ministers two times and remains active in political life. Play video

Shoshana Johnson Former POW Shoshana Johnson talks about her experiences and where she is today . Play video

Ekaterina Gordeeva Ten years after losing her figure skating partner and husband, Ekaterina Gordeeva finds comfort on the ice and has found a new love there as well. Play video

Bethany Hamilton Surfer Bethany Hamilton caught the attention of a nation after she was attacked by a shark. CNN looks back at her ordeal and where she is today. Play video

Shannon Faulkner Ten years after she became the first woman cadet at the Citadel (and the first to quit), Shannon Faulkner continues her life in the classroom, now as a teacher. Play video

Jamie Rubin He was one of the "young guns" of the Clinton administration, and now Jamie Rubin teaches in London with occasional forays into the political world. Play video

Paul Burrell Princess Diana called him her rock -- but some consider former butler Paul Burrell as the man who helped put the royal family's reputation on the rocks. Play video

Marion Barry Former Washington DC mayor Marion Barry has known fame, a fall from grace and political redemption. Play video

Brian Espe Brian Espe worked in the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City when a deadly bomb ripped through the facility. Ten years later, the survivor still thinks about the people lost that day. Play video

Aram Radomski When the Berlin Wall toppled in 1989, amateur videojournalist Aram Radomski was among the first to walk to the West. Today, he covers walls instead of helping to tear them down. Play video

Bob Beckwith CNN looks back at the firefighter who made the famous pose beside President Bush at Ground Zero shortly after the September 11 attacks. Play video

Elizabeth Smart Kidnapped from her home and found months later, Elizabeth Smart engaged the nation with her survival. Now, the 17-year-old is a quiet activist for missing children Play video

Wangari Maathai Wangari Maathai's group has planted millions of trees in Kenya, and today, the Nobel Peace Prize winner is a growing force in the nation's newly democratic government. Play video

Katherine Harris Katherine Harris was thrust into the spotlight as Florida's secretary of state during the 2000 presidential vote recount. She's still on the national stage, but this time as a U.S. congresswoman. Play video

John Walsh He's best known as the host of "America's Most Wanted," but John Walsh began his mission to track down criminals after his son was murdered in 1981. Play video

Giorgio Armani As a fashion designer and trendsetter, he made the Armani suit a fashion must. Today, Giorgio Armani continues to revolutionize the industry as a multi-billion dollar fashion powerhouse. Play video

Janet Reno Plain spoken and tough, Janet Reno became the country's first female attorney general. Take a look back at the controversial career of Reno and what she's doing today. Play video

Eduard Shevardnadze Eduard Shevardnadze was a product of the Soviet system but also had a hand in dismantling it. We take a look back at Shevardnadze and where he is today. Play video

Lance Ito The O.J. Simpson trial made Lance Ito the "world's most watched judge." We take a look at where he is today, 10 years after the court proceedings turned him into a celebrity. Play video

Lauren Manning Lauren Manning is considered a September 11 miracle. Take a look back at the Cantor Fitzgerald vice president who was severely injured in the World Trade Center attacks and where she is today. Play video

Corazon Aquino Thrust into politics by the assassination of her husband, Corazon Aquino went from housewife to president during the "People Power" revolution in the Philippines. Today she remains dedicated to public service. Play video

Joe Wilson He was a former ambassador who challenged the White House war logic in 2003 creating a very public battle of words. We take a look back at Joe Wilson and where is today. Play video

Dan Quayle Dan Quayle, the second youngest vice president, once made headlines for his spelling errors and verbal gaffes. We look back at the vice president's career and what he's doing now. Play video

Imelda Marcos Once the former first lady of the Philippines whose extravagance prompted public outrage, Imelda Marcos now collects lawsuits instead of her infamous shoes. Play video

John Glenn As the first American to orbit the earth, John Glenn became a hero. Today, the man with the "Right Stuff" continues to advise NASA, teach at college and stay active in politics. Play video

Heidi Fleiss This infamous Hollywood madame's business lured some of Tinseltown's major players. Today, Heidi Fleiss is still doing business in a notorious industry, but legally. Play video

Scott O'Grady Scott O'Grady spent six days struggling to survive after being shot down in Bosnia back in 1995. A decade later, those days are still shaping his life. Play video

Lech Walesa Lech Walesa's efforts against communism earned him the Poland presidency and a Nobel Peace Prize. Now, he turns his attention to political struggles outside Poland. Play video

Douglas Wilder Douglas Wilder -- the grandson of slaves, a Korean War veteran and a lawyer -- has carved a historic and unusual career in politics and continues to do so today. Play video

Dominique Dawes Gymnist Dominique Dawes tumbled into the spotlight during the 1996 Olympics and now uses her talent and energy to coach and promote fitness. Play video

Desmond Tutu Desmond Tutu won a 1984 Nobel Peace Prize for his leadership against apartheid and the faith and values that sustained him then still guide him today. Play video

Geraldine Ferraro The first woman ever named to a major party presidential ticket, Geraldine Ferraro continues to inspire. Play video

Dr. Jane Goodall Considered the world's foremost authority on chimpanzees, Dr. Jane Goodall continues to travel the world spreading her message of hope and respect for all living creatures. Play video

Jerry Curry In 2003, the point-blank shooting of an attorney outside a California courthouse was filmed by television crews covering the Robert Blake murder trial. Jerry Curry survived the shooting and CNN takes a look at how he is today. Play video

Leona Helmsley Nicknamed the "Queen of Mean," Leona Helmsley spent time in jail for tax evasion. Today, she continues to take an active role in running her real-estate empire. Play video

Nelson Mandela Nelson Mandela emerged from nearly three decades in prison to be South Africa's first post-apartheid president. Today, Mandela is active in the fight against AIDS. Play video

Mike Eruzione In 1980, he lead the U.S. Olympic hockey team to victory over the Russians, today Mike Eruzione is still making dreams come true. Play video

Elian Gonzalez In 1999, the discovery of a 5-year-old boy clinging to an inner tube off the Florida coast set off an international custody battle. Returned to his father in Cuba, Elian Gonzalez is now 11 years old. Play video

Ken Starr A household name during the Monica Lewinsky scandal, former Whitewater independent counsel Ken Starr is now pursuing a less public life as dean of Pepperdine University's law school. Play video

Pat Ireland America watched Pat Ireland struggle out of a window at Columbine High School. CNN talks with this survivor to see how he is doing nearly six years later. Play video

Margaret Thatcher Margaret Thatcher, the daughter of a small town grocery shop owner, grew up to become the only woman to lead a major Western democracy. Now frail and in poor health, Thatcher no longer gives public speeches. Play video

Boris Yeltsin Boris Yeltsin stood out not only for his political prowess, but also for the lifestyle that nearly killed him. CNN checks in on how the former Soviet leader is doing today. Play video

Dr. Mae Jemison Dr. Mae Jemison In 1992 She blasted into orbit aboard the shuttle endeavor, making history as the first African American woman ever to go into space. Today Jemison continues to seek "science literacy." Play video

Ross Perot Ross Perot used CNN's "Larry King Live" as a launching pad for his 1992 presidential bid. Today he remains a strong advocate for the interests of veterans. Play video

Yoko Ono Twenty-five years after John Lennon's murder, his widow, Yoko Ono, remains a passionate advocate for peace as well as working on projects with the former Beatles. Play video

Anita Hill In 1991, Anita Hill brought sexual harrassment into the American forefront. As part of CNN's anniversary, we take a look at her story and where she is today. Play video

Pennsylvania coal miners In July 2002, nine coal miners found themselves trapped underground for three days near Somerset, Pennsylvania. CNN talked to some of the miners to see how the ordeal changed their lives. Play video