December 1981 calendar
Learn the most interesting events and historical facts that happened in December 1981.
The US president was Ronald Reagan (Republican), the UK Prime Minister was Margaret Thatcher (Conservative), Pope St John Paul II was leading the Catholic Church.
But much more happened on December 1981: find out below
Historical Events
Which were the important events of December 1981?
Events
- 01 Dec 1981 180 dies as Yugoslav DC-9 jetliner slams into a mountain
- 02 Dec 1981 Spanish government requests membership in NATO.
- 03 Dec 1981 Beth Daniel / Tom Kite wins LPGA J C Penney Golf Classic
- 04 Dec 1981 Falcon Crest premieres on CBS-TV
- 05 Dec 1981 47th Heisman Trophy Award: Marcus Allen, Southern California (RB).
- 06 Dec 1981 Rob de Castella of Australia sets marathon record at 2:08:18.
- 07 Dec 1981 Spain becomes a member of the NATO
- 08 Dec 1981 The No. 21 Mine explosion in Whitwell, Tennessee kills 13.
- 09 Dec 1981 Porn star John Holmes charged with Laurel Canyon murders
- 10 Dec 1981 During the Ministerial Session of the North Atlantic Council in Brussels, Spain signs the Protocol of Accession to NATO.
- 11 Dec 1981 Argentine President / General Roberto Viola flees
- 12 Dec 1981 1st closes at Martin Beck Theater NYC after 37 performances
- 13 Dec 1981 Polish government declares martial law, arrests Solidarity activists
- 14 Dec 1981 Arab-Israeli conflict: Israel's Knesset passes The Golan Heights Law, extending Israeli law to the area of the Golan Heights.
- 15 Dec 1981 4th Emmy Sports Award presentation
- 17 Dec 1981 Members of Red Brigades kidnap Brigadier General James L Dozier
- 19 Dec 1981 Sixteen lives are lost when the Penlee lifeboat goes to the aid of the stricken coaster Union Star in heavy seas.
- 20 Dec 1981 Dreamgirls opens at Imperial Theater NYC for 1522 performances
- 21 Dec 1981 Cincinnati beats Bradley 75-73 in 7 overtimes (NCAA record).
- 22 Dec 1981 Argentine General Leopoldo Galtieri sworn in as president.
- 24 Dec 1981 Guardian Angels Curtis Sliwa and Lisa Evers marry
- 28 Dec 1981 Cleveland Metroparks Administrative offices move from downtown to Zoo
- 30 Dec 1981 In the 39th game of his 3rd NHL season Wayne Gretzky scores 5 goals giving him 50 on the year setting a new NHL record previously held by Maurice Richard and Mike Bossy who earlier had each scored 50 goals in 50 games.
- 31 Dec 1981 CNN Headline News debuts.
- 01 Dec 1981 Inex-Adria Aviopromet Flight 1308, a McDonnell Douglas MD-80, crashes in Corsica, killing all 180 people on board.
Famous Birthday
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Famous Deaths
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Music charts
Which were the top hits in December 1981?
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Top #5 songs in the USA
Movies
Which were the most popular Movies released in that month?
Books
Which were the most popular books released in December 1981?