Yes, general interest -- as I mentioned, the number was the main clue for me. Also, I spent some time in France around 20 years ago, where there were a large number of ethnic Algerians who often discussed the issue at length.
Yeah, 20 years ago is practically the height of the crisis with the more brutal massacres (like 200 at a time). They were probably of those who asked for asylum or the thousands who left the country. It was harder for them because they knew peace before and easier on my generation because we were children who'd only known that, so it was sort of normal.
"Jugurtha" is a pretty easy tipoff. Not that Americans would learn who Jugurtha was in school, except maybe grad school, but a few of us still read books...
