Major Events of May 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 May 1981 and discover how they influenced the world both then and now.

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

01 May 1981 American Airlines Launches AAdvantage Program: American Airlines introduced the world's first frequent-flyer program, 'AAdvantage', revolutionizing customer loyalty in the airline industry by offering rewards and benefits to frequent travelers.
02 May 1981 Aer Lingus Flight 164 Hijacking Incident: On May 2, 1981, Aer Lingus Flight 164 from Dublin to London was hijacked by Laurence James Downey, a man obsessed with uncovering the third secret of Fátima. Downey held 113 passengers and crew hostage for 8 hours, demanding the publication of his manifesto and pressuring Pope John Paul II to disclose the religious secret. French anti-terrorist police successfully intervened and took Downey into custody without revealing the mysterious secret he sought.
03 May 1981 Symeon of Thessaloniki Canonized: Symeon of Thessaloniki was unanimously proclaimed a saint by the Greek Orthodox Church, recognizing his significant religious contributions and spiritual leadership.
04 May 1981 Ron Davis Strikes Out Record-Breaking Performance: New York Yankees pitcher Ron Davis achieved an extraordinary pitching performance, striking out eight consecutive California Angels batters and a total of 13 out of 14 faced. He also secured a save for Gene Nelson's first win in a 4-2 game.
05 May 1981 Death of Bobby Sands: Bobby Sands, a prominent Provisional Irish Republican Army (IRA) volunteer and elected Member of Parliament, died at age 27 after a prolonged 66-day hunger strike in the Long Kesh prison hospital. His death became a pivotal moment in the Northern Ireland conflict, drawing international attention to the republican prisoners' struggle and the British government's policies.
06 May 1981 Vietnam Veterans Memorial Design Selected: Maya Ying Lin's groundbreaking design for the Vietnam Veterans Memorial was unanimously selected by a jury of architects and sculptors from 1,421 submitted entries, a pivotal moment in commemorating the Vietnam War.
07 May 1981 US Expels Libyan Diplomats Over Terrorism Concerns: The United States government took decisive diplomatic action by ordering the closure of the Libyan Embassy in Washington, D.C. This move was a direct response to Libya's alleged support of international terrorism, marking a significant escalation in U.S.-Libyan diplomatic tensions during the Cold War era.
08 May 1981 Maurice Fernandes, Cricket Captain: Maurice Fernandes, a notable West Indies cricket captain who led the team to its first Test victory against England in 1930, died on this date. He was a pioneering figure in Caribbean cricket history.
09 May 1981 Nepal's First Direct Elections: Nepal held its first direct elections for the Rashtriya Panchayat, marking a significant milestone in the country's democratic development and political transformation.
10 May 1981 Mitterrand Assumes Presidential Office: François Mitterrand is inaugurated as the first Socialist President of France in the Fifth Republic, signaling a major political transformation.
11 May 1981 Bob Marley's Passing: End of a Musical Legend: Renowned Jamaican singer-songwriter Robert Nesta 'Bob' Marley passed away from skin cancer at the age of 36, marking the end of an era for reggae music and global cultural activism. His death was a profound loss for music and social justice movements worldwide.
12 May 1981 Francis Hughes Dies in Hunger Strike: Francis Hughes, a Provisional IRA prisoner, died after a prolonged hunger strike in the Maze Prison, demanding political prisoner status, highlighting the intense political conflict in Northern Ireland.
13 May 1981 Assassination Attempt on Pope John Paul II: On May 13, 1981, Pope John Paul II was shot and critically wounded by Mehmet Ali Ağca in St. Peter's Square, Rome. The assassination attempt shocked the world and raised significant questions about the Pope's safety and the motivations behind the attack. The Pope was rushed to the Agostino Gemelli University Polyclinic for emergency surgery and miraculously survived the shooting.
14 May 1981 Tragic Train Collision in South Korea: A devastating train collision near Kyongsan, South Korea, results in 53 fatalities and 233 injuries when an express train collided with another passenger train's rear.
15 May 1981 George Harrison Single Release: George Harrison released the single 'All Those Years Ago' in the UK, a poignant tribute to his former Beatles bandmate John Lennon, who was tragically murdered in 1980.
16 May 1981 107th Preakness Stakes Victory: Jorge Velasquez rides Pleasant Colony to victory in the 107th Preakness Stakes, completing the race in an impressive time of 1:54.6. This significant horse racing event showcases the skill of both jockey and horse.
17 May 1981 New York Islanders Power Play Victory: The New York Islanders scored five power play goals against the Philadelphia Flyers in a crucial playoff game, demonstrating their offensive prowess and special teams effectiveness.
18 May 1981 Kim Carnes' "Bette Davis Eyes" Tops US Charts: The iconic pop song "Bette Davis Eyes" by Kim Carnes reached the number one position on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, becoming a defining musical moment of the early 1980s. The track, which pays tribute to the legendary Hollywood actress Bette Davis, was part of Carnes' album "Mistaken Identity" and became one of the most memorable hits of 1981.
19 May 1981 George Harrison Releases 'All Those Years Ago': George Harrison released the single 'All Those Years Ago' in the United Kingdom. This poignant song was a heartfelt tribute to John Lennon, featuring musical contributions from Ringo Starr on drums and Paul and Linda McCartney on backing vocals, symbolizing the enduring bond between the former Beatles members.
20 May 1981 Birth of Iker Casillas: Iker Casillas, one of the most renowned Spanish football goalkeepers in history, was born on this date. He would go on to become a legendary player for Real Madrid and the Spanish national team, winning multiple World Cup and European Championship titles.
21 May 1981 Bob Marley Receives State Funeral: Jamaica honored its legendary reggae musician Bob Marley with a state funeral, commemorating the life and global cultural impact of one of the most influential musicians of the 20th century.
22 May 1981 Key Break in Atlanta Child Murders Investigation: A critical breakthrough occurred in the Atlanta Child Murders investigation when FBI agents and Atlanta police observed Wayne Williams near a bridge on the James Jackson Parkway. After witnessing a suspicious incident involving a white Chevrolet station wagon and hearing a splash, they placed Williams under surveillance. Two days later, the body of Nathaniel Cater was discovered in the river, significantly advancing the investigation into the serial killings.
23 May 1981 NASA Launches Intelsat V Satellite: NASA successfully launched the Intelsat V communications satellite, marking another milestone in global telecommunications technology and satellite deployment.
24 May 1981 Tragic Death of Ecuadorian President Jaime Roldós Aguilera: Ecuadorian President Jaime Roldós Aguilera, his wife, and his presidential committee tragically die in an aircraft accident while traveling from Quito to Zapotillo. The crash occurred shortly after the president delivered a significant speech commemorating the 24 de Mayo anniversary of the Battle of Pichincha.
25 May 1981 Carl Yastrzemski Reaches 3,000 Hits Milestone: Boston Red Sox legend Carl Yastrzemski achieves a remarkable career milestone by becoming the fourth Major League Baseball player to record 3,000 hits, solidifying his place in baseball's Hall of Fame.
26 May 1981 Italian Government Resignation over P2 Masonic Scandal: The Italian government, led by Prime Minister Arnaldo Forlani, resigned due to revelations of high-level government officials' involvement with the controversial and secretive Propaganda Due (P2) Masonic lodge, which was linked to fascist activities and political manipulation.
27 May 1981 Murder of Roger Wheeler: Roger Wheeler, President of Telex Corporation and owner of World Jai Alai, was assassinated by gunmen after completing a round of golf, in what appeared to be a targeted killing.
28 May 1981 Death of Stefan Cardinal Wyszyński: Stefan Cardinal Wyszyński, a prominent Polish Catholic Church leader and Archbishop of Warsaw, passed away. Known as the 'Primate of the Millennium', he was a significant figure in Polish religious and political history during the communist era, advocating for human rights and national identity.
29 May 1981 United States Nuclear Test in Nevada: On May 29, 1981, the United States conducted a nuclear weapons test at the Nevada Test Site, continuing its Cold War-era nuclear weapons development and testing program. These underground nuclear tests were part of ongoing efforts to maintain and advance the country's nuclear capabilities during a period of heightened geopolitical tensions with the Soviet Union.
30 May 1981 Assassination of Bangladesh President Ziaur Rahman: President Ziaur Rahman was shot and killed by a group of rebel military officers in Chittagong, marking a significant political upheaval in Bangladesh's history. The assassination occurred during a period of political instability and military tensions within the country.
31 May 1981 Burning of Jaffna Library: A tragic and significant event of ethnic violence in Sri Lanka, where the Jaffna Public Library was deliberately set on fire, resulting in the destruction of thousands of irreplaceable Tamil historical documents, books, and manuscripts. This act of biblioclasm was a devastating blow to Tamil cultural heritage and symbolized the deep-rooted ethnic tensions between Tamils and Sinhalese during the Sri Lankan Civil War period.