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January 1, 1981 New Year's Day

January 1, 1981, was a Thursday. It was 43 years, 10 months, and 4 days ago. The zodiac star sign for this date is Capricorn.

Song charts

Music charts

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

  • United States: "Starting Over" by John Lennon
  • United Kingdom: "There's No One Quite Like Grandma" by St. Winifred's School Choir

The Billboard Hot 100 on January 1, 1981

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

  • (Just Like) Starting Over - John Lennon
  • More Than I Can Say - Leo Sayer
  • Love On The Rocks - Neil Diamond
  • Lady - Kenny Rogers
  • Hungry Heart - Bruce Springsteen
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.
9 to 5

Top movie at the box office

The movie "9 to 5" was at the top of the box office on January 1, 1981.

Facts

New Year's Day 1981 occurred 16,014 days ago. Approximately 534 months have passed. It was the 1st day of 1981, in week 01. The decade was the eighties. People who were born on January 1, 1981, are now 43 years old and belong to the Millennial generation. The Earth has experienced 178 seasons of weather since then.

Take me back to January 1, 1981

Let's take a stroll down memory lane.

The date is January 1, 1981, and it's a Thursday. Anyone born today will have the star sign Capricorn. It's New Year's Day, the official start of the year 1981. A lot of people are relaxing at home. Some are nursing hangovers from the night before.

In America, the song "Starting Over" by John Lennon is at the top of the singles charts, while "There's No One Quite Like Grandma" by St. Winifred's School Choir is the number-one song in the UK. Jimmy Carter is the President of the United States, and the movie 9 to 5 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 "Columbo", "Barney Miller", "Eight Is Enough", 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 Bob Marley, Terry Fox, Adam Walsh, and Bill Shankly would all still be alive. People are playing video games such as "Space Invaders", "Asteroids", "Galaxian", and "Missile Command". Children and teenagers are watching television shows such as "Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids", "The Muppet Show", "Cockleshell Bay", and "Thundarr the Barbarian".

Children are playing with toys such as Operation, Magna Doodle, Cabbage Patch Kids, and Rubik's Cube.

Zodiac info

Zodiac

Zodiac, birthstone, and birth flower information.

Personality summary image

  • Zodiac Sign (Astrology): Anyone born on January 1, 1981, will have the star sign Capricorn.
  • Zodiac Element: Earth.
  • Chinese Zodiac Animal: In the Chinese Zodiac, 1981 was the year of the Rooster (Yin Water).
  • The Life Path Number for this date is 3.
  • Native American Zodiac: January 1, 1981 falls under the Goose.
  • Birthstone: A person during the month of January will have the birthstone Garnet.
  • Birth flower (January): The Carnation and the Snowdrop.
News

News, nostalgia, and fads

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

  • 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 Iran hostage crisis.

    The Iran hostage crisis

    The Iran hostage crisis was ongoing. Between November 4th, 1979, and January 20th, 1981, 52 American diplomats and citizens were held hostage in Iran. The hostages were taken into captivity after a group of Iranian college students stormed the US embassy in Tehran.
  • The Atlanta murders of 1979–1981.

    The Atlanta murders of 1979–1981

    During this time, the Atlanta murders of 1979–1981 were taking place. At least 28 children and young adults were murdered before Wayne Williams was eventually arrested and convicted.
  • 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 January 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 January 1, 1981.

  • December 2, 1980: Four American missionaries are raped and murdered by members of the El Salvador National Guard.
  • December 4, 1980: English rock band Led Zeppelin announce their break-up.
  • December 7, 1980: American punk singer Darby Crash commits suicide.
  • December 8, 1980:
    • Beatles legend John Lennon is shot and killed outside of his New York apartment.
    • The comic strip "Bloom County" is published for the first time.
  • December 12, 1980:
    • Stir Crazy (1980) is released in cinemas.
    • Technology company Apple makes its IPO on the US stock market at $22 per share.
  • December 16, 1980: KFC founder Colonel Sanders passes away at the age of 90 after a short battle with leukemia.
  • December 17, 1980: The comedy-action film Any Which Way You Can (1980), is released in cinemas.
  • December 18, 1980: The former Premier of the Soviet Union, Alexei Kosygin, passes away at the age of 76.
  • December 19, 1980: The film 9 to 5 (1980) is released in cinemas.
  • December 24, 1980: Britain's Roswell: Multiple witnesses report seeing strange lights near the RAF Woodbridge station in Suffolk, England.
  • This date: January 1, 1981
  • January 2, 1981: Serial killer Peter Sutcliffe (The Yorkshire Ripper) is arrested.
  • January 8, 1981: UFO case: An unidentified flying object leaves physical evidence in a field outside of Trans-en-Provence in France.
  • January 16, 1981: Irish civil rights leader Bernadette McAliskey is wounded after loyalist gunmen break into her home in Tyrone and shoot her.
  • January 19, 1981:
    • Iran hostage crisis: Iran and the United States reach a deal to release 52 American hostages after 14 months of captivity.
    • 22-year-old American photographer Francesca Woodman commits suicide.
    • Boxing legend Muhammad Ali talks a suicidal man down off a ledge in Los Angeles.
  • January 20, 1981:
    • Ronald Reagan is inaugurated as the 40th President of the United States.
    • Iran releases 52 American hostages after 14 months of captivity.
  • January 21, 1981: The first production car of the DMC DeLorean is completed.
  • January 25, 1981: Super Bowl XV: The Oakland Raiders defeat the Philadelphia Eagles at the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana.

Early 1980s fashion

Photographs of early 1980s fashion and hairstyles.

Early 1980s fashion

Television shows

Television shows in January 1981

Television shows that people were watching in January 1981:

TV shows from January 1981.

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

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 January 1981

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

Thundarr the Barbarian
Thundarr the Barbarian
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
The Muppet Show
The Muppet Show
Happy Days
Happy Days
Schoolhouse Rock!
Schoolhouse Rock!
Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids
Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids
Toys

Toys in 1981

Children were playing with the following toys and games:

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)
Video games

Video games

Popular video games that people were playing in January 1981.

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 January 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 January 1, 1987, instead.

Celebrity birthdays

Celebrity birthdays

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

J. Edgar Hoover

J. Edgar Hoover

The first Director of the FBI Deceased
Born on January 1, 1895
He was not alive on this date.

Grandmaster Flash

Grandmaster Flash

Hip Hop DJ
Born on January 1, 1958
He turned 23 on this day in 1981.

Verne Troyer

Verne Troyer

Actor Deceased
Born on January 1, 1969
He turned 12 on this day in 1981.

Ice Spice

Ice Spice

Rapper
Born on January 1, 2000
She was born exactly 19 years after this date.

Holidays

Holidays

National holidays and famous events that fall on January 1:

USA

US President

Jimmy Carter was the President of the United States on January 1, 1981.

UK

UK Prime Minister

Margaret Thatcher was the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.

Ireland

Irish Taoiseach

Charles Haughey was the Taoiseach of Ireland.

Conception

Conception dates

Conception estimates for this date.

  • A baby that was born on January 1, 1981 was most likely conceived around April 10, 1980.
  • The due date for a baby that was conceived on January 1, 1981 is close to September 24, 1981.

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Stats for January 1, 1981

Statistics

Here are some interesting statistics about January 1, 1981:

  • 16,014 days have passed since this date.
  • 2,287 weeks have passed.
  • 1,383,609,600 seconds have passed since January 1, 1981.
  • If you were born on this day, your heart has beat approximately 1,614,211,200 times.
  • Since then, the Earth has traveled approximately 713,942,553,600 miles through space.
  • If you were born on this day, your eyes have blinked approximately 230,601,600 times.
  • You have taken approximately 118,990,426 steps. That's roughly 52,885 miles.
  • 16,603,315 meteors have entered the Earth's atmosphere.
  • How many years ago was 1981?

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