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December 1, 1981

December 1, 1981, was a Tuesday. It was 42 years, 3 months, and 28 days ago. The zodiac sign for this date is Sagittarius.

On This Day

On this day

What happened on December 1, 1981?

  • 180 people are killed when Inex-Adria Aviopromet Flight 1308 crashes on the Mediterranean island of Corsica.
Song charts

Music charts

Songs that were on top of the charts in the USA and the United Kingdom on December 1, 1981:

  • United States: "Physical" by Olivia Newton-John
  • United Kingdom: "Begin The Beguine" by Julio Iglesias

The Billboard Hot 100 on December 1, 1981

These were the top five songs on the Billboard Hot 100 chart:

  • Physical - Olivia Newton-John
  • Waiting For A Girl Like You - Foreigner
  • Private Eyes - Daryl Hall John Oates
  • Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic - The Police
  • Here I Am (Just When I Thought I Was Over You) - Air Supply
Play the top singles from 1981
A Spotify playlist of songs from 1981. Let us take you back to the peak days of Kim Wilde, Lionel Richie, Phil Collins and The Police.
Time Bandits

Top movie at the box office

The movie "Time Bandits" was at the top of the box office on December 1, 1981.

Facts

This date occurred 15,459 days ago. Approximately 515 months have passed. It was the 335th day of 1981, in week 49. The decade was the eighties. There were only 30 days left in the year. People who were born on December 1, 1981, are now 42 years old and belong to the Millennial generation. The Earth has experienced 172 seasons of weather since then.

Take me back to December 1, 1981

Let's take a stroll down memory lane.

The date is December 1, 1981, and it's a Tuesday. Anyone born today will have the star sign Sagittarius. The Christmas season of 1981 has begun.

In America, the song "Physical" by Olivia Newton-John is at the top of the singles charts, while "Begin The Beguine" by Julio Iglesias is the number-one song in the UK. Ronald Reagan is the President of the United States, and the movie Time Bandits is at the top of the box office. Margaret Thatcher is the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.

On television, people are watching popular shows such as "Laverne & Shirley", "Chips", "Hart to Hart", and "Knots Landing". In fashion, women are wearing jelly shoes, turtleneck sweaters, loose high-waist pants, crop tops, and puffer jackets lined with fur. Meanwhile, men have been ditching the disco look of the 1970s in favor of athletic clothing such as tracksuits and sports jerseys. The "preppy" look has also been making a comeback. Because it's 1981, the radio stations are being dominated by artists such as Kim Carnes, Soft Cell, Phil Collins, John Lennon, Stars On 45, Diana Ross and Olivia Newton-John.

If you were to travel back to this day, notable figures such as John Belushi, Ayn Rand, Peter Maivia, and Grace Kelly would all still be alive. People are playing video games such as "Breakout", "Space Invaders", "Lunar Lander", and "Galaxian". Kids and teenagers are watching TV shows such as "Captain Kangaroo", "The Bugs Bunny Show", "Mister Rogers' Neighborhood", and "Danger Mouse".

Children are playing with toys such as Cabbage Patch Kids, Monchhichi / Chicaboo, Fischer Price cassette player, and Space Lego.

News

News, nostalgia, and fads

These are news stories, trending topics, and fads that were popular on December 1, 1981.

  • Christmas 1981 has begun.

    Christmas 1981 has begun

    The Christmas holiday season of 1981 had just begun. Retailers were starting to play festive music, and decorations were beginning to spring up.
  • 1981 in music.

    1981 in music

    Popular music artists in 1981 included Kim Carnes, Diana Ross, Lionel Richie, Kenny Rogers, Rick Springfield, Kool & the Gang, Hall & Oates, Eddie Rabbitt, Dolly Parton and REO Speedwagon.
  • The Rubik's Cube.

    The Rubik's Cube

    The Rubik's Cube became a craze in 1981 and 1982. The toy was so popular that books on how to solve it regularly made it into the top ten selling books list.
  • Who were the best NBA players in 1981?

    Who were the best NBA players in 1981?

    The best NBA players in 1981 were Julius Erving, Larry Bird, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, George Gervin and Dennis Johnson.
  • 1981 in movies.

    1981 in movies

    Movies released in 1981 included Raiders of the Lost Ark, On Golden Pond, Superman II, Arthur, Stripes, The Cannonball Run, Chariots of Fire, For Your Eyes Only, The Four Seasons, Escape from New York, The Evil Dead, Mad Max 2, An American Werewolf in London and Time Bandits.
  • Best soccer players.

    Best soccer players

    In 1981, the best soccer players were Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, Paul Breitner, Bernd Schuster, Michel Platini, Oleg Blokhin, Dino Zoff, Ramaz Shengelia, Alexsandr Chivadze, Liam Brady and John Wark.
  • Chariots of Fire.

    Chariots of Fire

    "Chariots of Fire" won the Academy Award for Best Picture in 1981.
  • Lech Walesa.

    Lech Walesa

    The architect of the Gdansk Agreement, Lech Walesa, was named Time Person of the Year in 1981.
  • Kim Carnes - "Bette Davis Eyes"

    Kim Carnes - "Bette Davis Eyes"

    "Bette Davis Eyes" by Kim Carnes won a Grammy for 1981's Song of the Year.
  • Iran-Iraq War.

    Iran-Iraq War

    Between September 1980 and August 1988, an armed conflict was being fought between the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Iraqi Republic.
  • Early 1980s fashion.

    Early 1980s fashion

    The early 1980s saw a minimalist approach to fashion, with some trends carrying over from the late 1970s. Sweaters, fur-lined puffer jackets, tunics, ripped jeans, leotards, velour tracksuits, tube tops, knee-length skirts, high-waisted pants, and embroidered jeans were all popular. The colors during the early 1980s were subdued, quiet, and basic. Varying shades of brown, tan, and orange were in fashion.
  • Computers are replacing typewriters.

    Computers are replacing typewriters

    Desktop computers were beginning to replace typewriters in offices.
  • TV remotes.

    TV remotes

    Although TV remotes existed, many homes didn't have one. Infrared technology was still relatively new.
  • The Atari 2600.

    The Atari 2600

    The Atari 2600 was the dominant video game system.
  • The Walkman.

    The Walkman

    In the late 1970s and 1980s, portable cassette players such as the "Sony Walkman" were becoming more common.
  • Wallpaper.

    Wallpaper

    Wallpaper was extremely common in people's homes throughout the 1970s and 1980s. It wasn't until the mid-late 1980s that "modernism" started to creep in.

Personality traits

Check out our personality summary for people who were born on December 1, 1981.

What are your strengths and weaknesses?

View Personality Summary

Events

What happened around this time?

News stories, pop culture trends, and other events that happened around December 1, 1981.

  • November 5, 1981: It is announced that Diana, Princess of Wales, is pregnant.
  • November 12, 1981: American actor William Holden dies following a fall at his apartment in Santa Monica, California.
  • November 16, 1981: Millions of people tune in to watch Luke and Laura marry on the American soap opera General Hospital.
  • November 27, 1981: The single "Don't You Want Me" is released by The Human League.
  • November 29, 1981: Actress Natalie Woods drowns during a boat trip to Santa Catalina Island off California.
  • This date: December 1, 1981
  • December 3, 1981: Boxing legend "Smokin' Joe" Frazier has his last ever fight.
  • December 4, 1981:
    • The movie On Golden Pond (1981) is released.
    • The first episode of the soap drama "Falcon Crest" is aired on television.
  • December 10, 1981: The BBC reports that an unknown "mystery disease" is killing homosexuals.
  • December 11, 1981: Boxing legend Muhammad Ali has his last ever fight against Trevor Berbick.
  • December 12, 1981: The first case of AIDS is reported in the United Kingdom.
  • December 13, 1981: Martial law is declared in Poland in response to the Solidarity movement.
  • December 15, 1981: The Soviet Union states that it is willing to send troops into Poland to help quash the Solidarity movement.
  • December 16, 1981: Polish troops attempt to quash resistance against martial law by arresting leaders of the Solidarity movement.
  • December 19, 1981: Penlee lifeboat disaster: 16 people die after the Solomon Browne lifeboat attempts to rescue a vessel in heavy seas.
  • December 24, 1981: Mad Max 2 (1981) is released.
Zodiac info

Zodiac

Zodiac, birthstone, and birth flower information.

Personality summary image

  • Zodiac Sign (Astrology): Anyone born on December 1, 1981, will have the star sign Sagittarius.
  • Zodiac Element: Fire.
  • Chinese Zodiac Animal: In the Chinese Zodiac, 1981 was the year of the Rooster (Yin Water).
  • The Life Path Number for this date is 5.
  • Native American Zodiac: December 1, 1981 falls under the Owl.
  • Birthstone: A person during the month of December will have the birthstones Tanzanite, Zircon and Turquoise.
  • Birth flower (December): The Narcissus and the Holly.

Early 1980s fashion

Photographs of early 1980s fashion and hairstyles.

Early 1980s fashion

Television shows

Television shows in December 1981

Television shows that people were watching in December 1981:

TV shows from December 1981.

Spider-Man and His Amazing Friends
Spider-Man and His Amazing Friends
Only Fools and Horses
Only Fools and Horses
The Greatest American Hero
The Greatest American Hero
Magnum, P.I.
Magnum, P.I.
Knots Landing
Knots Landing
Archie Bunker's Place
Archie Bunker's Place
Trapper John, M.D.
Trapper John, M.D.
Hart to Hart
Hart to Hart
The Facts of Life
The Facts of Life
The Dukes of Hazzard
The Dukes of Hazzard
WKRP in Cincinnati
WKRP in Cincinnati
Taxi
Taxi
Dallas
Dallas
The Incredible Hulk
The Incredible Hulk
The Love Boat
The Love Boat
Chips
Chips
Three's Company
Three's Company
Quincy, M.E.
Quincy, M.E.
Laverne & Shirley
Laverne & Shirley
Barney Miller
Barney Miller
The Jeffersons
The Jeffersons
Little House on the Prairie
Little House on the Prairie
Happy Days
Happy Days
Last of the Summer Wine
Last of the Summer Wine
M*A*S*H
M*A*S*H
The Two Ronnies
The Two Ronnies
Columbo
Columbo

Cars in 1981

1981 saw the introduction of cars such as the Chevrolet Cavalier, the DMC DeLorean, the Honda City, the Nissan Maxima, the BMW 5 Series (E28), and the Chevrolet Camaro (third generation).

Cars in 1981.

Children TV shows

Cartoons and children's TV shows in December 1981

Children and teenagers were watching the following cartoons and TV series:

Dogtanian and the Three Muskehounds
Dogtanian and the Three Muskehounds
Danger Mouse
Danger Mouse
The Smurfs
The Smurfs

Cockleshell Bay
Cockleshell Bay
The New Adventures of Flash Gordon
The New Adventures of Flash Gordon
Diff'rent Strokes
Diff'rent Strokes
Mork & Mindy
Mork & Mindy
Battle of the Planets
Battle of the Planets
The All New Popeye Hour
The All New Popeye Hour
Happy Days
Happy Days
Schoolhouse Rock!
Schoolhouse Rock!
Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids
Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids
Sesame Street
Sesame Street
Mister Rogers' Neighborhood
Mister Rogers' Neighborhood
The Bugs Bunny Show
The Bugs Bunny Show
Captain Kangaroo
Captain Kangaroo
Toys

Toys in 1981

Children were playing with the following toys and games:

Fisher-Price Little People (Farm)
Fisher-Price Little People (Farm)
Space Lego
Space Lego
Fischer Price cassette player
Fischer Price cassette player
Monchhichi / Chicaboo
Monchhichi / Chicaboo
Rubik's Cube
Rubik's Cube
Strawberry Shortcake dolls
Strawberry Shortcake dolls
The Big Wheel (tricycle)
The Big Wheel (tricycle)
Intellivision (games console)
Intellivision (games console)
The Snoopy Sno-Cone Machine
The Snoopy Sno-Cone Machine
Screwball Scramble
Screwball Scramble
Cabbage Patch Kids
Cabbage Patch Kids
Speak & Spell
Speak & Spell
Simon (memory game)
Simon (memory game)
Hungry Hungry Hippos
Hungry Hungry Hippos
Water Ring Toss
Water Ring Toss
The Atari 2600
The Atari 2600
Star Wars action figures
Star Wars action figures
Lego Technic
Lego Technic
Dungeons & Dragons
Dungeons & Dragons
Magna Doodle
Magna Doodle
Big Jim (action figure)
Big Jim (action figure)
VertiBird (toy helicopter)
VertiBird (toy helicopter)
Lite-Brite
Lite-Brite
Operation
Operation
The Easy-Bake Oven
The Easy-Bake Oven
Video games

Video games

Popular video games that people were playing in December 1981.

Donkey Kong 1981
Donkey Kong
Missile Command 1980
Missile Command
Pac-Man 1980
Pac-Man
Galaxian 1980
Galaxian
Asteroids 1979
Asteroids
Lunar Lander 1979
Lunar Lander
Space Invaders 1978
Space Invaders
Breakout 1976
Breakout

Were you born on December 1, 1981?

If you were born on this date, then it is unlikely that you will remember anything from the year 1981.

This is because humans find it difficult to retrieve memories of their early childhood.

If you are looking for some childhood nostalgia, then you should check out December 1, 1987, instead.

Celebrity birthdays

Celebrity birthdays

Celebrities, historical figures, and other notable people who were born on December 1.

Woody Allen

Woody Allen

Actor
Born on December 1, 1935
He turned 46 on this day in 1981.

Richard Pryor

Richard Pryor

Comedian Deceased
Born on December 1, 1940
He turned 41 on this day in 1981.

Bette Midler

Bette Midler

Singer
Born on December 1, 1945
She turned 36 on this day in 1981.

Pablo Escobar

Pablo Escobar

Colombian drug lord Deceased
Born on December 1, 1949
He turned 32 on this day in 1981.

Sarah Silverman

Sarah Silverman

Comedian
Born on December 1, 1970
She turned 11 on this day in 1981.

Philip DeFranco

Philip DeFranco

Youtuber
Born on December 1, 1985
He was born exactly 4 years after this date.

Natasha O'Keeffe

Natasha O'Keeffe

Actress
Born on December 1, 1986
She was born exactly 5 years after this date.

Andrew Tate

Andrew Tate

Internet personality
Born on December 1, 1986
He was born exactly 5 years after this date.

Zoë Kravitz

Zoë Kravitz

Actress
Born on December 1, 1988
She was born exactly 7 years after this date.

USA

US President

Ronald Reagan was the President of the United States on December 1, 1981.

UK

UK Prime Minister

Margaret Thatcher was the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.

Ireland

Irish Taoiseach

Garret FitzGerald was the Taoiseach of Ireland.

Conception

Conception dates

Conception estimates for this date.

  • A baby that was born on December 1, 1981 was most likely conceived around March 10, 1981.
  • The due date for a baby that was conceived on December 1, 1981 is close to August 24, 1982.

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Stats for December 1, 1981

Statistics

Here are some interesting statistics about December 1, 1981:

  • 15,459 days have passed since this date.
  • 2,208 weeks have passed.
  • 1,335,657,600 seconds have passed since December 1, 1981.
  • If you were born on this day, your heart has beat approximately 1,558,267,200 times.
  • Since then, the Earth has traveled approximately 689,199,321,600 miles through space.
  • If you were born on this day, your eyes have blinked approximately 222,609,600 times.
  • You have taken approximately 114,866,554 steps. That's roughly 51,052 miles!
  • Since this date, 16,027,891 meteors have entered the Earth's atmosphere!
  • How many years ago was 1981?

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