MultiEducator · The 20th Century Almanac
HistoryCentral Est. 1996
8120th C.
1981
The 20th Century Almanac · The Eighties

1981

Major Events · Sports · Music · Screen · Prizes

Reagan survived an assassin's bullet in March, Sandra Day O'Connor became the first woman on the Supreme Court, and the space shuttle Columbia made its maiden flight. Egypt's Sadat was assassinated by Islamists; Israel bombed Iraq's Osirak reactor, and Chariots of Fire won Best Picture.

A Year in Review
Best Picture
Chariots of Fire - Hugh Hudson
Nobel · Literature
Canetti
World Series
Los Angeles Dodgers vs. New York Yankees
No. 1 Song
The Tide is High
Top TV
Academy · Actor
Henry Fonda

Major Events of 1981

10 events
Pope John Paul II shot twiceMitterand elected French premireMartial law in PolandIsrael destroys Iraq's nuclear reactorPresident proposes $180 billionPresident Reagan fires air traffic controllersAssasination attaempt on President ReaganFirst woman elected to the Supreme CourtFirst Space Shuttle flightAnwar Sadat Assasinated

Sports Highlights

Champions of 1981

Champions

NBABoston Celtics vs. Houston Rockets Series: 4-2
NCAA FootballClemson Record: 12-0-0
Heisman TrophyMarcus Allen, usc, RB points: 1,797
Stanley CupNew York Islanders vs. Minnesota Northstars Series: 4-1 Super Bowl XV: Oakland Raiders vs. Philadelphia Eagles Score: 27-10 US Open Golf: David Graham Score: 273 Course: Merion GC Location: Ardmore, PA
World SeriesLos Angeles Dodgers vs. New York Yankees Series: 4-2

Top Music of 1981

The year on the charts

Top Songs

  1. The Tide is High Blondie
  2. Celebration Kool and the Gang
  3. 9 to 5 Dolly Parton
  4. I Love a Rainy Night Eddie Rabbit
  5. Keep on Loving You REO Speedwagon
  6. Rapture Blondie
  7. Kiss on My List Daryl Hall & John Oates
  8. Morning Train Sheena Easton
  9. Bette Davis Eyes Kim Carnes
  10. Medley: Stars on 45 Stars on 45

Grammy Awards

Record of the Year
"Bette Davis Eyes" ... Kim Carnes
Song of the Year
"Bette Davis Eyes" ... Donna Weiss & Jackie DeShannon
Album of the Year
"Double Fantasy" ... John Lennon & Yoko Ono Male Vocalist: Al Jarreau ... "Breakin' Away" Female Vocalist: Lena Horne ... "Lena Horne: The Lady and Her Music"

Screen & Television

At the box office & on the air

Top Movies

  1. Any Which Way You Can
  2. Arthur
  3. Bustin' Loose
  4. Cannonball Run
  5. Cheech and Cong's Nice Dream
  6. Clash of the Titans
  7. Endless Love
  8. Excalibur
  9. Flash Gordon
  10. For Your Eyes Only Most Popular Books Fiction

Academy Awards

Honoring 1981
Best Picture
Chariots of Fire - Hugh Hudson
Best Director
Warren Beatty
Reds
Best Actor
Henry Fonda
On Golden Pond
Best Actress
Katherine Hepburn
On Golden Pond

Nobel & Pulitzer Prizes

The year in letters & science

Nobel Prizes

Chemistry
The prize was awarded jointly to: FUKUI, KENICHI, Japan, Kyoto University, Kyoto, b. 1918, d. 1998; and HOFFMANN, ROALD, U.S.A., Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, b. 1937 (in Zloczow, Poland): "for their theories, developed independently, con
Literature
CANETTI, ELIAS, Great Britain, b. 1905 (in Rustschuk, Bulgaria), d. 1994: "for writings marked by a broad outlook, a wealth of ideas and artistic power"
Peace
OFFICE OF THE UNITED NATIONS HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR REFUGEES Geneva, Switzerland
Physiology or Medicine
The prize was awarded one half to: SPERRY, ROGER W., U.S.A., California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, b. 1913, d. 1994: "for his discoveries concerning the functional specialization of the cerebral hemispheres" and the other half j
Physics
The prize was awarded by one half jointly to: BLOEMBERGEN, NICOLAAS, U.S.A., Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, b. 1920 (in the Netherlands); and SCHAWLOW, ARTHUR L., U.S.A., Stanford University, Stanford, CA, b. 1921: "for their contributi

Pulitzer Prizes

Drama
Beth Henley ... "Crimes of the Heart"
Fiction
John Kennedy Toole ... "A Confederacy of Dunces"
History
Lawrence A. Cremin ... "American Education: The American Experience 1783-1876" International Reporting: Shirley Christian ... "Miami Herald" National Reporting: John M. Crewdson ... "New York Times"
Public Service
"Charlotte (NC) Observer"