1981 Many notable technological advances happened
in 1981 one of the most exciting was the First Flight of the Space Shuttle
Columbia. This was also the first year that the Word Internet was mentioned
and MS-DOS was released by Microsoft along with the first IBM PC. On the
world stage the events that captured the imagination included Lady Diana
Spencer marrying Charles The Prince of Wales. In Politics a little known
group before Solidarity inspire popular protests and a general strike
in Poland and the government in the UK starts the process of privatization
of Nationalized Industries which is later followed by many other countries
around the world.
Cost of Living 1981
How Much things cost in 1981
Yearly Inflation Rate USA 10.35%
Year End Close Dow Jones Industrial Average 875
Interest Rates Year End Federal Reserve 15.75%
Average Cost of new house $78,200.00
Average Income per year $21,050.00
Average Monthly Rent $315.00
Cost of a gallon of Gas $1.25
Sinclair ZX80 $199.95
19 inch Color TV $399.95
What Events Happened in 1981
Iran releases
52 American hostages, who had been held for 444 days
Solidarity inspired popular protests and general
strike lead to imposition of Marshal Law and eventual outlawing of solidarity
party in Poland
Thatcher Government in England begin privatization
of Nationalized Industries creating economic revival , this format is
later emulated in many other countries throughout the world
Air traffic controllers strike causing
chaos in the US
Irish Republican Army member Bobby Sands
dies while on the hunger strike, During that time Bobby Sands is
elected to Westminster as the MP for Fermanagh and South Tyrone.
Ronald Reagan becomes US President
Following plans between European Countries
and the US to base Nuclear Missiles in Europe protesters including those
at Greenham Common picket US bases
Researchers find the wreck of the Titanic
in the North Atlantic
Muhammad Ali finally retires with career
record of 55 wins and 5 defeats
Rupert Murdoch shuts down the Sunday
Times due to an industrial dispute
Washington Post reporter Janet Cooke admits
her feature was fabricated and relinquished the Pulitzer Prize
The U.S. Supreme Court ruled that states
could require parental notification when teenage girls seek abortions
.
Peter Sutcliffe, the Yorkshire Ripper
is caught, and imprisoned for life for 13 counts of murder
Earthquake hits Athens, killing 16 people
Pope John Paul II, is shot but not
killed in Vatican City
Lady Diana Spencer marries Charles, Prince
of Wales.
Egyptian president Anwar Sadat is assassinated.
Sandra Day O'Connor is nominated to
become the first female justice on the U.S. Supreme Court.
The first American test-tube baby,
is born
Riots break out in a number of UK Cities including
Brixton ( London ), Toxteth (Liverpool), and Moss Side ( Manchester
)
The introduction of the first Frequent
Flyer Miles AAdvantage introduced by American Airlines ( frequent
flyer miles can be redeemed for free air travel )
Four senior Labour MP'S announce they will
breakaway from Labour Party and set up the Social Democratic Party SDP
under the leadership of Roy Jenkins
147 passengers and crew of a Pakistan Airways
are taken hostage and released in Syria
Attempted coup in Bangladesh and the
President Ziaur Rahman is murdered
Antigua and Barbuda Gains Independence
From Great Britain
The First London Marathon is Run In
England
Popular Culture 1981
MTV (Music Television)
is launched
Simon And Garfunkel Reunite for concert
in New York's Central Park
Popular Films
Raiders of the
Lost Ark
Superman II
Nine to Five
Any Which Way You Can
Arthur
The Cannonball Run
For Your Eyes Only
On Golden Pond
Chariots of Fire
Popular Musicians
John Lennon
Blondie
Dolly Parton " 9 to 5 "
Sheena Easton
Diana Ross and Lionel Richie with "Endless Love "
Olivia Newton-John With " Physical "
Roxy Music
Bucks Fizz
Adam and The Ants
Michael Jackson
Queen
David Bowie
Technology 1981
Scientists identify
The Aids Virus
First Flight of US Space Shuttle Columbia
The European Rocket "Ariane" is
launched
IBM in US launches it's first PC which uses
Microsoft Software MS DOS
The term INTERNET first mentioned
Post It Notes launched by 3M Corp
The Worlds Fastest Train The French TGV goes
into service between Paris and Lyons
China Clones the first fish (Golden Carp)
Artificially Produced Insulin becomes the
worlds first genetically engineered protein to treat human disease Diabetes
MS-DOS released by Microsoft
Inventions Invented
by Inventors and Country (or attributed to First Use )
Space Shuttle USA Columbia was first reusable
space vehicle
