1981

News

• France abolishes death penalty and guillotine
• Reagan and the Pope were both shot
• Charles and Diana were married
• BMW develops first in car computer
• IBM launches its first PC
• NASA space shuttle makes maiden flight
• Sandra Day O'Conner becomes first supreme court justice
• Deloreans were introduced
• MTV is born, along with the first test tube baby

Movies

• Raiders of the Lost Ark made $242,374,454
• Best Picture went to Chariots of Fire

Music

• Arthur's Theme (Best That You Can Do)- Christopher Cross
• Bette Davis Eyes- Kim Carnes
• Celebration- Kool and the Gang

Television

• Happy Days
• Incredible Hulk
• Taxi