Europe's Ariane 503 rocket was launched on October 20th, 1998. With ESA's ARD [Atmospheric Re-entry Demonstrator] and the Maqsat 3 dummy satellite as passengers, the launch successfully completed the series of three test flights, thus qualifying the new launcher for commercial use.
This video is a compilation of news transmissions broadcast throughout the final stages of the Ariane 503 launch campaign.

00:02:30:00 VNR 1 Menu
00:03:00:00 Ariane 503 ready for launch 20/10/98
00:03:29:00 launch of Ariane 502 30/10/97
00:03:46:00 Ariane 503 mission graphics
00:04:03:00 application of ARD stickers to 503 nosecone
00:04:23:00 final assembly 503
00:04:54:00 CSG prepares for the launch
00:05:25:00 VNR 2 Menu
00:05:40:00 rollout of Ariane 503 to the launch zone 20/10/98
00:06:29:00 arrival in launch zone
00:07:02:00 atmos shots launcher on pad
00:07:11:00 sunset 20/10/98
00:07:16:00 night to 21/10/98
00:07:23:00 atmos shots main control centre, countdown 20/10/98
00:08:05:00 VNR 3 Menu
00:08:20:00 Ariane 503 rollout to launch zone 21/10/98
00:09:06:00 green status panel
00:09:13:00 launcher and launch zone
00:09:28:00 atmos shots main control centre, countdown
00:10:10:00 VNR 4 Menu
00:10:25:00 final countdown and hold
00:10:58:00 launch
00:11:10:00 Ariane 503 in flight
00:11:58:00 booster separation
00:12:03:00 controller announcement ARD separation
00:12:13:00 launch replays
00:12:38:00 spectators watching
00:12:5