1981

Facts and Events That Happened in This Year

Dec 30

Stevie Wonder released 'That Girl,' which went on to win Billboard Song of the Year.

Dec 28

The first American test-tube baby, Elizabeth Jordan Carr, was born in Norfolk, Virginia.

Dec 19

The crew of the Union Star lost their lives along with all eight lifeboat volunteers who tried to save them.

Oct 22

The US gross national debt exceeded $1 trillion.

Sep 25

Belize became a member of the United Nations.

Sep 12

The animated fantasy TV show 'The Smurfs' premiered on NBC.

Aug 24

Mark David Chapman was sentenced to 20 years to life in prison for murdering John Lennon.

Aug 12

The IBM Personal Computer was released.

Aug 1

MTV launched, broadcasting its first music video at 12:01 am.

Jul 29

Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer got married at St. Paul's Cathedral in London.

Jul 19

US President Ronald Reagan was made aware that the USSR was stealing US technology and research.

Jul 9

Nintendo released the Donkey Kong arcade game in Japan.

Jul 8

The Solar Challenger became the first solar-powered airplane to cross the English Channel.

Jun 22

Mark David Chapman pleaded guilty to the murder of John Lennon in New York.

Jun 20

Pope John Paul II was sent to hospital for 55 days after contracting an infection.

Jun 18

The world's first stealth-oriented aircraft, the Lockheed F-117 Nighthawk, took its first flight.

Jun 13

Queen Elizabeth II was shot with six blank rounds by a youth.

Jun 13

Tom Snyder interviewed notorious killer Charles Manson on NBC's Tomorrow Coast to Coast show.

Jun 12

The first Indiana Jones movie, 'Raiders of the Lost Ark' by Steven Spielberg, was released.

May 23

Wilfred Benítez became the youngest 3-division world champion in history at age 22 after knocking out Maurice Hope in 12 rounds.

May 21

Bob Marley received a state funeral in Jamaica.

May 13

An assassination attempt was made on Pope John Paul II.

May 11

Andrew Lloyd Webber's musical 'Cats,' based on poetry by T. S. Eliot, first premiered in the West End, London.

Apr 22

Thieves stole $3.3 million from the First National Bank of Arizona in Tucson.

Apr 12

The first Space Shuttle mission was launched.

Apr 11

President Ronald Reagan returned home from the hospital after narrowly escaping death after someone shot him on March 30.

Apr 3

The world's first portable computer was announced at the West Coast Computer Faire.

Mar 31

The first Golden Raspberry Awards took place in John Wilson's living room.

Mar 30

Someone tried to shoot President Ronald Reagan.

Feb 27

Ebony and Ivory was recorded by Stevie Wonder & Paul McCartney.

Feb 24

Lady Diana Spencer and Prince Charles announced their engagement at Buckingham Palace.

Jan 21

The iconic DeLorean sports car began production in Northern Ireland.

Jan 20

US hostages were released in Iran after 444 days.

Jan 2

Prolific serial killer Peter Sutcliffe, also known as the 'Yorkshire Ripper,' was arrested in Sheffield, UK.