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Major Events of August 1981: Key Historical Moments from the Month

Each month is marked by defining moments that shape the course of history. Whether through political shifts, cultural movements, or world-changing events, these periods leave a lasting impression. Dive into the most important events from August 1981 and discover how they influenced the world both then and now.

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Major Events of August 1981: Key Historical Moments from the Month

  • 01 Aug 1981 MTV Launches First Music Video Channel: MTV (Music Television) begins broadcasting in the United States, marking a revolutionary moment in music and media history. The first music video aired is 'Video Killed The Radio Star' by the Buggles, symbolically signaling a new era of visual music consumption.
  • 02 Aug 1981 Historic Ashes Cricket Match: Botham's Remarkable Performance: In a thrilling cricket match between Australia and England, Ian Botham delivered an extraordinary bowling performance, taking 5 wickets for just 11 runs in 14 overs. Australia was set a target of 151 runs but was dramatically bowled out for a mere 121 runs, showcasing Botham's decisive impact on the game.
  • 03 Aug 1981 PATCO Strike and Reagan's Response: In a significant labor dispute, the Professional Air Traffic Controllers Organization (PATCO) initiated a nationwide strike involving 13,000 members, seeking improved working conditions and a 32-hour workweek. President Ronald Reagan responded by firing all striking air traffic controllers, marking a pivotal moment in US labor relations.
  • 04 Aug 1981 Oliver North Assigned to White House: Oliver North was assigned to the National Security Council, a role that would later become infamous due to his involvement in the Iran-Contra Affair, a significant political scandal during the Reagan administration.
  • 05 Aug 1981 Reagan Fires Air Traffic Controllers: President Ronald Reagan fired 11,359 air traffic controllers who defied his order to return to work, a pivotal moment that dramatically reshaped labor union power in the United States.
  • 06 Aug 1981 Reagan Approves Neutron Bomb Production: President Ronald Reagan authorized U.S. production of the controversial neutron bomb, approving warheads for 380 Lance missiles and 800 on 150-mm howitzers to be deployed for U.S. troops in Europe during the Cold War era.
  • 07 Aug 1981 Washington Star Newspaper Closes After 128 Years: On August 7, 1981, the Washington Star, a prominent American newspaper that had been a significant part of the nation's media landscape, ceased all operations. Founded in the mid-19th century, the newspaper had been a key source of news and information for the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area for over a century before financial challenges led to its closure.
  • 08 Aug 1981 Roger Federer Birth: Roger Federer, widely considered one of the greatest tennis players of all time, was born in Basel, Switzerland. He would go on to win 20 Grand Slam singles titles and revolutionize modern tennis with his exceptional skill, grace, and sportsmanship.
  • 09 Aug 1981 IBM Personal Computer Model 5150 Released: IBM launches the original Model 5150 Personal Computer in the United States, featuring a 4.77 MHz Intel 8088 processor, priced at a base cost of $1,565. This groundbreaking device would revolutionize personal computing and set the standard for future PC design.
  • 10 Aug 1981 Adam Walsh Murder and Its Impact on Child Safety: The head of John Walsh's son Adam was found in Hollywood, Florida, marking a tragic turning point in child safety advocacy. This devastating event prompted significant legal and societal changes, including the U.S. Congress passing the Missing Children's Act, which expanded the FBI's authority in tracking child disappearances. The tragedy transformed John Walsh into a national spokesman against crime and ultimately led to the creation of the television show America's Most Wanted and the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children.
  • 11 Aug 1981 IBM Personal Computer Launch: IBM introduces the IBM Personal Computer (IBM PC), a groundbreaking device that would revolutionize personal computing and set industry standards for personal computer architecture. This model, with its open architecture and standardized components, would become a pivotal moment in computing history, paving the way for widespread personal computer adoption.
  • 12 Aug 1981 IBM Launches First Personal Computer: On August 12, 1981, IBM announced the IBM Personal Computer (Model 5150) at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in New York City and in Boca Raton, Florida. This groundbreaking device featured a 4.77 MHz Intel 8088 CPU, 16 kB RAM (expandable to 256 kB), 40 kB ROM, and a single 5.25-inch floppy drive with 160 kB capacity. The base model was priced at US$1,565, while a fully loaded version with color graphics cost US$6,000. This launch was pivotal in legitimizing microprocessor-based personal computers and transforming the computing landscape.
  • 13 Aug 1981 Reagan Signs Economic Recovery Tax Act: U.S. President Ronald Reagan signed the landmark Economic Recovery Tax Act into law while on vacation at his ranch near Santa Barbara, California. This significant tax legislation was a cornerstone of Reagan's economic policy, aimed at stimulating economic growth through tax cuts and reforms.
  • 14 Aug 1981 Mike Schmidt Hits 300th Career Home Run: Philadelphia Phillies player Mike Schmidt achieved a significant milestone by hitting his 300th career home run against New York Mets pitcher Mike Scott.
  • 15 Aug 1981 Ian Botham's Cricket Century: English cricket legend Ian Botham scored a remarkable century in just 86 balls during a Test Cricket match against Australia at Old Trafford. This performance was a significant moment in cricket history, showcasing Botham's exceptional batting skills and aggressive playing style.
  • 16 Aug 1981 Mary T. Meagher Sets World Record in Butterfly Swimming: American swimmer Mary T. Meagher achieves a remarkable world record in the 100m butterfly event, demonstrating exceptional speed and technique in competitive swimming.
  • 17 Aug 1981 Gulf of Sidra Incident: US-Libyan Air Battle: On August 17, 1981, a significant aerial confrontation occurred between the United States Navy and Libyan Air Force in the Gulf of Sidra. Libyan leader Muammar al-Gaddafi challenged U.S. naval presence by dispatching two Sukhoi Su-22 fighter jets to intercept U.S. Navy F-14 Tomcats. During the engagement, a Libyan aircraft fired an Atoll heat-seeking missile at Lt. Lawrence Musczynski, which narrowly missed its target. In response, Musczynski successfully destroyed the lead Libyan plane with a Sidewinder missile. Commander Hank Kleeman then engaged the Libyan wingman, forcing the pilot to eject. This incident marked the first U.S. aerial combat since the Vietnam War and highlighted rising tensions between the United States and Libya during the Cold War era.
  • 18 Aug 1981 Jerry Lewis on Donahue: Comedian Jerry Lewis appeared on the popular talk show 'Donahue' to discuss and defend his annual Muscular Dystrophy Association Telethons, which were a significant fundraising event for medical research.
  • 19 Aug 1981 Sandra Day O'Connor Appointed to Supreme Court: U.S. President Ronald Reagan makes history by appointing Sandra Day O'Connor as the first female Justice of the United States Supreme Court, breaking a significant gender barrier in the American judicial system.
  • 21 Aug 1981 Salvador Sanchez Defeats Wilfredo Gómez in Boxing Championship: In a significant boxing match at Las Vegas, Salvador Sanchez defeated the reigning champion Wilfredo Gómez to claim the WBC junior featherweight boxing championship. This bout was a pivotal moment in both fighters' careers, marking a changing of the guard in the junior featherweight division. Sanchez's victory was notable for his skill and determination against a formidable opponent.
  • 22 Aug 1981 Far Eastern Air Transport Flight 103 Disaster: On August 22, 1981, Far Eastern Air Transport Flight 103 tragically disintegrated mid-flight and crashed in Sanyi Township, Miaoli County, Taiwan. The catastrophic incident resulted in the complete loss of all 110 passengers and crew members on board. This devastating air crash remains one of the most significant aviation accidents in Taiwanese history, highlighting critical safety concerns in the region's air transportation sector during the early 1980s.
  • 24 Aug 1981 Mark David Chapman Sentenced for John Lennon Murder: Mark David Chapman was sentenced to 20 years to life in prison for the murder of legendary musician John Lennon, which occurred on December 8, 1980, outside the Dakota apartment building in New York City.
  • 25 Aug 1981 Voyager 2's Historic Saturn Flyby: NASA's Voyager 2 spacecraft made its closest approach to Saturn, passing approximately 63,000 miles (100,000 kilometers) from the planet. This mission provided unprecedented scientific data and high-resolution images of Saturn, its rings, and its moons, significantly expanding human understanding of the outer solar system.
  • 26 Aug 1981 Space Shuttle Preparation for STS-2 Mission: The Space Shuttle vehicle was transported to Launch Complex 39A at Kennedy Space Center in preparation for the STS-2 mission, a critical step in NASA's Space Shuttle program's early operational phase.
  • 27 Aug 1981 Recovery of Safe from SS Andrea Doria Shipwreck: A professional diving team commenced operations to retrieve a safe from the sunken wreckage of the SS Andrea Doria, a historic maritime disaster site located in the Atlantic Ocean. The Andrea Doria, once a prestigious Italian luxury liner, sank on July 25, 1956, after a catastrophic collision with the MS Stockholm, which remains one of the most famous maritime accidents in modern history.
  • 28 Aug 1981 First Major AIDS Symptom Recognition: The National Centers for Disease Control announce a high incidence of Pneumocystis and Kaposi's sarcoma in gay men, marking the first significant medical observation of what would later be recognized as AIDS symptoms.
  • 29 Aug 1981 Vienna Synagogue Terror Attack: A terrorist attack by the Abu Nidal organization targeted a synagogue on Seitenstettengasse in Vienna during worship. Two attackers fired guns and threw grenades, causing significant distress and potential casualties in an antisemitic act of violence.
  • 30 Aug 1981 Assassination of Iranian Political Leaders: President Mohammad-Ali Rajai and Prime Minister Mohammad-Javad Bahonar of Iran were assassinated in a bombing carried out by the People's Mujahedin of Iran, a significant political violence event during the early years of the Iranian Revolution.
  • 31 Aug 1981 Bombing at Ramstein Air Base: A terrorist bomb exploded at the U.S. Air Force base in Ramstein, West Germany, causing significant disruption and injuring 20 people. The incident highlighted the ongoing security challenges faced by American military installations in Europe during the Cold War era.