18 Years of Ben Ali

Another landmark anniversary passed, and once again we missed it by a day. Yesterday, November 7, marked 18 years since Zinedine Ben Ali assumed the presidency of Tunisia in a coup.

Back in 1987 when the big coup went down, Ronald Reagan was still in office. Robert Bork was nominated for the Supreme Court. And actress Hilary Duff was born.

And now, 18 years later, roughly 50% of Tunisia's population has only known the rule of Ben Ali.*

*Otherwise known as the president who puts himself on a postage stamp.