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This ought to make you feel OLD, look at what was going on then... 
U.S. News and Beyond
Ronald Reagan takes oath as 40th President. (Jan. 20)
Fifty-two hostages are freed with the US-Iran agreement. They were held in captivity since November 4, 1979 in Teheran. (Jan. 20)
An attempt on President Reagan's life by gunman John W. Hinckley, Jr. finds him, his Press Secretary and two law-enforcement officers wounded. (March 30).
Pope John Paul II wounded by Turkish terrorist gunman. (May 13)
AIDS is first identified.
Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees is awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.
Supreme Court rules, 4–4, that former president Nixon and three top aides may be required to pay monetary damages for unconstitutional wiretap of home telephone of former national security aide (June 22).
Egyptian president Anwar el-Sadat is assassinated by Islamic extremists during a military parade in Cairo (Oct. 6).
Reagan nominates Judge Sandra Day O'Connor, 51, of Arizona, as first woman on Supreme Court (July 7).
More than 110 die in collapse of aerial walkways in lobby of Hyatt Regency Hotel in Kansas City; 188 injured (July 18).
Fun Facts
The video game Pac-man is introduced and creates a fervor in the U.S.
Nutrasweet (aspartame) is approved by the FDA.
The space shuttle Columbia launches for the first time.
Prince Charles and Diana Spencer marry July 29.
Luke and Laura of General Hospital most watched wedding next to Charles & Diana.
Dynasty premieres. The first DeLorean sports cars roll off the assembly line.
The Supreme Court rules to allow television cameras in the courtroom. (Hello, Court TV.)
The average price of a gallon of gas was $1.35
Popular Television Programs
Dallas
60 Minutes
Three's Company
The Jeffersons
Joanie Loves Chachi
The Dukes of Hazzard
Alice
Too Close for Comfort
M*A*S*H
One Day at a Time
NFL Monday Night Football
Falcon Crest
Archie Bunker's Place
The Love Boat
Hart to Hart
Trapper John, M.D.
Hill Street Blues
Taxi
Donahue
The $20,000 Pyramid
Captain Kangaroo
Top Grossing Films
Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981)
On Golden Pond (1981)
Porky's (1981)
Arthur (1981)
Stripes (1981)
The Cannonball Run (1981)
Guerre du feu, La (1981)
For Your Eyes Only (1981)
Chariots of Fire (1981)
The Four Seasons (1981)
Fashion
Althetic wear, inspired by Olivia Newton-John's hit song and video 'Let's Get Physical' makes headbands and legwarmers the garments of the moment. |
