World Events in 1981
Royal Wedding of Charles and Diana
On 29 July, Prince Charles married Lady Diana Spencer at St Paul's Cathedral. An estimated 750 million people watched on television, making it one of the most-watched broadcasts in history.
Reagan Assassination Attempt
On 30 March, President Ronald Reagan was shot by John Hinckley Jr. outside a Washington hotel. Reagan survived and famously quipped to surgeons, 'I hope you're all Republicans.'
Pope John Paul II Shot
On 13 May, Pope John Paul II was shot and seriously wounded in St. Peter's Square by Turkish gunman Mehmet Ali Agca. The Pope survived and later forgave his attacker.
Brixton Riots
In April, widespread rioting broke out in Brixton, south London, driven by racial tensions and heavy-handed policing. Similar unrest followed in Toxteth, Liverpool and other English cities.
Anwar Sadat Assassinated
The Egyptian president was assassinated on 6 October during a military parade in Cairo by Islamist extremists opposed to his peace agreement with Israel.
First AIDS Cases Reported
The US Centers for Disease Control reported unusual clusters of pneumonia and rare cancers among gay men in Los Angeles and New York, marking the beginning of the AIDS epidemic.
Music in 1981
"Don't You Want Me"
The Human League
The defining synthpop anthem of the era. Released in November 1981, it became the Christmas number one and the best-selling UK single of the year.
"Bette Davis Eyes"
Kim Carnes
A smoky, synth-driven reimagining of a 1975 song that spent nine weeks at number one in the US. It won Record of the Year at the Grammys.
#1 Film of 1981
Raiders of the Lost Ark
Box Office: $389 million
Steven Spielberg and George Lucas created the ultimate adventure film. Harrison Ford's Indiana Jones became an instant icon, blending old-fashioned serial thrills with blockbuster spectacle.
Born in 1981
Beyoncé
Singer, songwriter, and cultural icon
Justin Timberlake
Singer and actor
Natalie Portman
Actress (Black Swan, Star Wars prequels)
Roger Federer
Tennis champion, 20 Grand Slam titles
Elijah Wood
Actor (The Lord of the Rings)
Lost in 1981
Bob Marley
Reggae musician and cultural icon
Age 36
Bill Haley
Rock and roll pioneer ('Rock Around the Clock')
Age 55
Anwar Sadat
President of Egypt, Nobel Peace Prize laureate
Age 62
Natalie Wood
Actress (West Side Story, Rebel Without a Cause)
Age 43
Technology in 1981
The IBM PC launched and defined the personal computer era. MTV debuted on 1 August with 'Video Killed the Radio Star.' The first Space Shuttle Columbia flew. Xerox PARC's GUI ideas were spreading, though the mainstream wouldn't see them for years.
- ● IBM PC launched, defining the personal computer standard
- ● MTV launched on 1 August 1981
- ● Space Shuttle Columbia made its maiden flight
- ● MS-DOS became the dominant PC operating system
Cost of Living in 1981
| Item | UK | US |
|---|---|---|
| Average house price | £24,200 | $70,300 |
| Average salary | £7,100 | $20,600 |
| Pint of milk | 18p | $0.60 |
| Loaf of bread | 37p | $0.52 |
| Gallon of petrol/gas | £1.40 | $1.31 |
| Pint of beer | 40p | $1.10 |
| Dozen eggs | 55p | $0.87 |
| Cinema ticket | £1.60 | $2.78 |
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The Zeitgeist of 1981
A year of extremes — fairy-tale romance and real-world violence. The Royal Wedding captivated billions while assassination attempts rocked world leaders. New Romanticism swept British pop culture with frilly shirts and eyeliner. The IBM PC launched, and MTV changed music forever.
In the News in 1981
The wedding of Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer drew 750 million TV viewers worldwide. US President Ronald Reagan and Pope John Paul II both survived assassination attempts. Brixton and Toxteth saw major riots across England. The Yorkshire Ripper was finally caught.