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 12th August . 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 privatisation of Nationalised 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 USA10.35%
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
Below are some Prices for UK guides in Pounds Stirling
Average House Price 24,188
Gallon of Petrol 1.32
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 privatisation of Nationalised 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 and The US President Ronald Reagan Fires Them
Irish Republican Army member Bobby Sands dies on May 5th 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
Anti nuclear protestors invade the Diablo Canyon Nuclear Reactor in California
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
Technology
Scientists identifyThe 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
Scanning Tunnelling Microscope Switzerland
Popular Culture 1981
MTV (Music Television) is launched August 1st
Simon And Garfunkel Reunite for concert in New Yorks 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
What do you remember ? was this the year you graduated ?, what music was being played the year you were born?
Popular Musicians
John Lennon
Blondie
Dolly Parton ” 9 to 5 ”
Shee
