BestOfDate

September 16, 1981

September 16, 1981, was a Wednesday. It was 42 years, 6 months, and 13 days ago. The zodiac sign for this date is Virgo.

Song charts

Top songs

These songs were on top of the music charts in the United States and the United Kingdom on September 16, 1981:

  • United States: "Endless Love" by Diana Ross & Lionel Richie
  • United Kingdom: "Prince Charming" by Adam & Ants

The Billboard Hot 100 on September 16, 1981

These songs were dominating the music charts:

  • Endless Love - Diana Ross & Lionel Richie
  • Slow Hand - The Pointer Sisters
  • Stop Draggin' My Heart Around - Stevie Nicks With Tom Petty And The Heartbreakers
  • Urgent - Foreigner
  • (There's) No Gettin' Over Me - Ronnie Milsap
Play the top songs 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.
Arthur

Top movie

The movie "Arthur" was at the top of the box office on this day.

Facts

This date was 15,535 days ago. Approximately 518 months have passed. It was the 259th day of 1981, in week 38. The decade was the eighties. People born on this day are currently 42 years old and belong to the Millennial generation. We have gone through approximately 173 seasons of weather since this date.

Take me back to September 16, 1981

Let's take a walk down memory lane.

It is Wednesday, September 16, 1981. Babies who are born today will have the star sign Virgo. It is "Hump Day", so many are beginning to think about the weekend ahead.

Schools and colleges are starting again, and fall has officially arrived. As a result, temperatures are beginning to cool, and trees are starting to shed their leaves. The earthy smells of autumn have started to fill the air. In America, the song "Endless Love" by Diana Ross & Lionel Richie is at the top of the singles charts, while "Prince Charming" by Adam & Ants is the number-one song in the UK.

Ronald Reagan is the President of the United States, and the movie Arthur is at the top of the box office. Margaret Thatcher is the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. 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 Bill Shankly, William Holden, Natalie Wood, and John Belushi would all still be alive. On TV, people are watching popular shows such as "Taxi", "Trapper John, M.D.", "Archie Bunker's Place", and "Only Fools and Horses".

Meanwhile, gamers are playing titles such as "Breakout", "Space Invaders", "Lunar Lander", and "Donkey Kong". Kids and teenagers are watching TV shows such as "Sesame Street", "Schoolhouse Rock!", "The All New Popeye Hour", and "Mork & Mindy". Popular toys at the moment include the Easy-Bake Oven, Hungry Hungry Hippos, Simon (memory game), and Strawberry Shortcake dolls.

News

News, nostalgia, and fads

These are news stories, trending topics, and fads that were popular on September 16, 1981.

  • Only Fools and Horses.

    Only Fools and Horses

    In September of 1981, the first episode of the British comedy sitcom "Only Fools and Horses" was aired on BBC One.
  • The AIDS epidemic begins.

    The AIDS epidemic begins

    The AIDS epidemic officially began in the middle of 1981, after the CDC reported that an unusual type of pneumonia had been discovered in five homosexual men in Los Angeles.
  • 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 September 16, 1981.

What are your strengths and weaknesses?

View Personality Summary

Events

What happened around this time?

Notable events that happened close to September 16, 1981.

  • August 19, 1981: Gulf of Sidra incident: Two Libyan fighter jets are shot down by US forces off the Libyan coast.
  • August 21, 1981: The horror comedy film "An American Werewolf in London" is released in movie theaters.
  • August 22, 1981: 110 people die after Far Eastern Air Transport Flight 103 disintegrates over Taiwan.
  • August 24, 1981: Mark Chapman is sentenced to 20 years to life in prison for the murder of Beatles singer John Lennon.
  • September 6, 1981: Linebacker Lawrence Taylor makes his NFL debut for the New York Giants.
  • September 8, 1981: The first episode of British sitcom "Only Fools and Horses" is aired.
  • September 15, 1981: Sandra Day O'Connor becomes the first female justice of the US Supreme Court.
  • This date: September 16, 1981
  • September 17, 1981: Das Boot (1981) is released.
  • September 20, 1981: Golf: The United States wins the 1981 Ryder Cup at the Walton Heath Golf Club in Surrey, England.
  • September 28, 1981: Olivia Newton-John releases her single "Physical".
  • September 29, 1981: Legendary football manager Bill Shankly passes away after a heart attack.
  • October 6, 1981: Egyptian President Anwar Sadat is assassinated by fundamentalist army officers.
  • October 8, 1981: The first episode of Cagney & Lacey is aired.
  • October 9, 1981: Capital punishment is officially abolished in France.
  • October 14, 1981: Hosni Mubarak becomes the fourth president of Egypt.
  • October 15, 1981: The Evil Dead (1981) is released.
Zodiac info

Zodiac

Zodiac, birthstone, and birth flower information.

Personality summary image

  • Zodiac Sign (Astrology): Anyone born on September 16, 1981, will have the star sign Virgo.
  • 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 8.
  • Native American Zodiac: September 16, 1981 falls under the Bear.
  • Birthstone: A person during the month of September will have the birthstone Sapphire.
  • Birth flower (September): The Aster and the Morning Glory.

Early 1980s fashion

Photographs of early 1980s fashion and hairstyles.

Early 1980s fashion

Television shows

TV series on September 16, 1981

TV audiences were watching the following shows on September 16, 1981:

TV shows from September 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

Kids TV shows on September 16, 1981

Cartoons and TV shows that children and teenagers were watching on this day in 1981:

The Smurfs
The Smurfs
Thundarr the Barbarian
Thundarr the Barbarian
Cockleshell Bay
Cockleshell Bay

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

Popular toys and games in 1981

Toys and games that were popular in 1981:

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 September 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 September 16, 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 September 16, 1987, instead.

Celebrity birthdays

Celebrity birthdays

Celebrities, historical figures, and other notable people who were born on September 16.

Charles Haughey

Charles Haughey

Irish prime minister Deceased
Born on September 16, 1925
He turned 56 on this day in 1981.

B.B. King

B.B. King

Musician Deceased
Born on September 16, 1925
He turned 56 on this day in 1981.

Peter Falk

Peter Falk

Actor Deceased
Born on September 16, 1927
He turned 54 on this day in 1981.

Mickey Rourke

Mickey Rourke

Actor
Born on September 16, 1952
He turned 29 on this day in 1981.

David Copperfield

David Copperfield

Illusionist
Born on September 16, 1956
He turned 25 on this day in 1981.

Nick Jonas

Nick Jonas

Singer
Born on September 16, 1992
He was born exactly 11 years after this date.

Joji

Joji

Internet personality
Born on September 16, 1993
He was born exactly 12 years after this date.

Holidays

Holidays

National holidays and famous events that fall on September 16:

  • Mexican Independence Day
USA

US President

Ronald Reagan was the President of the United States on September 16, 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 September 16, 1981 was most likely conceived around December 24, 1980.
  • The due date for a baby that was conceived on September 16, 1981 is close to June 9, 1982.

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Stats for September 16, 1981

Statistics

Here are some interesting statistics about September 16, 1981:

  • 15,535 days have passed since this date.
  • 2,219 weeks have passed.
  • 1,342,227,600 seconds have passed since September 16, 1981.
  • If you were born on this day, your heart has beat approximately 1,565,932,200 times.
  • Since then, the Earth has traveled approximately 692,589,441,600 miles through space.
  • If you were born on this day, your eyes have blinked approximately 223,704,600 times.
  • You have taken approximately 115,431,574 steps. That's roughly 51,303 miles!
  • Since this date, 16,106,731 meteors have entered the Earth's atmosphere!
  • How many years ago was 1981?

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