1981 facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

Millennium:	2nd millennium
Centuries:	19th century – 20th century – 21st century
Decades:	1950s 1960s 1970s – 1980s – 1990s 2000s 2010s
Years:	1978 1979 1980 – 1981 – 1982 1983 1984

1981 was a year full of exciting and important events around the world. Many famous people were born, and new movies, songs, and books were released. It was a time of change and new beginnings.

Contents

Key Events of 1981
Famous Births in 1981
Notable Deaths in 1981
Movies Released in 1981
Popular Songs of 1981
New Books of 1981
Images for kids
See also

Key Events of 1981

January 20 – People held hostage during the Iran hostage crisis were set free. This happened on the same day Ronald Reagan became the President of the United States for the first time.
January 21 – The very first DeLorean car was made in Northern Ireland.
January 27 – A passenger ship from Indonesia, called Tamponas 2, caught fire and sank in the Java Sea. Sadly, 580 people lost their lives.
January 29 – Adolfo Suárez stepped down from his job as Prime Minister of Spain.
February 4 – Gro Harlem Brundtland became the new Prime Minister of Norway.
March 30 – Soon after becoming president, Ronald Reagan was attacked. He survived and recovered.
July 29 – Lady Diana Spencer married Charles, who was then the Prince of Wales. This was a very famous royal wedding.
November 9 – Céline Dion released her very first music album in Canada.

Famous Births in 1981

January 4 – Alicia Keys, an American singer.
January 28 – Elijah Wood, an American actor.
January 31 – Justin Timberlake, an American singer and actor.
February 11 – Kelly Rowland, an American singer.
February 24 – Lleyton Hewitt, an Australian tennis player.
March 3 – Justin Gabriel, a professional wrestler from South Africa.
April 28 – Jessica Alba, an actress.
June 5 – Sebastien Lefebvre, a Canadian musician from the band Simple Plan.
June 7 – Anna Kournikova, a Russian tennis player.
June 9 – Natalie Portman, an Israeli actress.
July 30 – Hope Solo, an American soccer goalkeeper.
August 8 – Roger Federer, a Swiss tennis player.
September 4 – Beyoncé Knowles, an American singer and actress.
September 8 – Jonathan Taylor Thomas, an American actor.
September 26 – Serena Williams, an American tennis player.
October 31 – Frank Iero, a musician from the band My Chemical Romance.
December 2 – Britney Spears, an American singer and actress.
December 27 – Patrick Sharp, a Canadian professional ice hockey player.

Notable Deaths in 1981

May 11 – Bob Marley, a famous musician.
June 28 – Terry Fox, a Canadian athlete and cancer activist.
November 25 – Jack Albertson, an American actor.

Movies Released in 1981

Absence of Malice
An American Werewolf in London
Any Which Way You Can
Arthur
Chariots of Fire
Escape to Victory
Excalibur
For Your Eyes Only
The Fox and the Hound
The French Lieutenant's Woman
Friday the 13th, Part 2
The Great Muppet Caper
Halloween II
Mommie Dearest
On Golden Pond
Raiders of the Lost Ark
Reds
Stripes
Superman II

Popular Songs of 1981

"The Tide Is High" – Blondie
"Celebration" – Kool & The Gang
"9 To 5" – Dolly Parton
"I Love A Rainy Night" – Eddie Rabbitt
"Keep On Loving You" – REO Speedwagon
"Rapture" – Blondie
"Kiss On My List" – Daryl Hall & John Oates
"Morning Train (9 To 5)" – Sheena Easton
"Bette Davis Eyes" – Kim Carnes
"Stars On 45 Medley" – Stars On 45
"The One That You Love" – Air Supply
"Jessie's Girl" – Rick Springfield
"Endless Love" – Diana Ross & Lionel Richie
"Arthur's Theme (Best That You Can Do)" – Christopher Cross
"Private Eyes" – Daryl Hall & John Oates
"Physical" – Olivia Newton-John

New Books of 1981

Ill Seen Ill Said – Samuel Beckett
Arabian Nights and Days – Naguib Mahfouz
La Bicyclette Bleue (The Blue Bicycle) – Régine Deforges
Bliss – Peter Carey
Creation – Gore Vidal
Cujo – Stephen King
Famous Last Words – Timothy Findley
The Glitter Dome – Joseph Wambaugh
Gorky Park – Martin Cruz Smith
Hotel New Hampshire – John Irving
Licence Renewed – John Gardner
Masquerade – Kit Williams
Midnight's Children – Salman Rushdie
Noble House – James Clavell
Other People: A Mystery Story – Martin Amis
Red Dragon – Thomas Harris
Strata – Terry Pratchett
Tar Baby – Toni Morrison

Images for kids

See also

In Spanish: 1981 para niños

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1981 Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.