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December 3rd, 1981

December 3rd, 1981, was a Thursday. It was Day 337 of 1981. The decade was the Eighties.

41 years, 9 months, and 18 days have passed since December 3rd, 1981.

The zodiac star sign for this date is Sagittarius.

On This Day

On this day.

What happened on December 3rd, 1981?

  • Boxing legend "Smokin' Joe" Frazier has his last ever fight.
Birthdays

Born on December 3rd, 1981.

People who were born on this exact date.

Song charts

Music charts.

Songs that were on top of the music singles charts in the USA and the United Kingdom on December 3rd, 1981.

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

The Billboard Hot 100 on December 3rd, 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 the year 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 3rd, 1981.

Take me back to December 3rd, 1981!

Let's take a stroll down memory lane!

The date is December 3rd, 1981, and it's a Thursday. 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. Over in the UK, Begin The Beguine by Julio Iglesias is the number-one hit song. 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 "Chips", "The Facts of Life", "Hart to Hart", and "Archie Bunker's Place". 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 "Asteroids".

Children and teenagers are watching television shows such as "Battle of the Planets", "Cockleshell Bay", "Thundarr the Barbarian", and "The Smurfs". Children are playing with toys such as VertiBird (toy helicopter), Cabbage Patch Kids, Screwball Scramble, and Fisher-Price Little People (Farm).

News

News topics, nostalgic fads, and pop culture events.

These are news stories, trending topics, and fads that were popular on December 3rd, 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.

Information

Facts.

Basic facts and information about this date:

  • 41 years, 9 months, and 18 days have passed since December 3rd, 1981.
  • Week Number: This date occurred during Week 49 of 1981.
  • Leap Year: 1981 was not a leap year.
  • Age: People born on December 3rd, 1981, are now 41 years old.
  • Generation: People born in 1981 belong to the Generation Y (Millennial) generation.
  • Unix Timestamp: The Unix Timestamp for this date is 376185600.

Personality traits.

Check out our personality summary for people who were born on December 3rd, 1981.

What are your strengths and weaknesses?

View Personality Summary

Events

Around this time.

News stories, pop culture trends, and other events that happened around December 3rd, 1981.

  • November 5th, 1981: It is announced that Diana, Princess of Wales, is pregnant.
  • November 12th, 1981: American actor William Holden dies following a fall at his apartment in Santa Monica, California.
  • November 16th, 1981: Millions of people tune in to watch Luke and Laura marry on the American soap opera General Hospital.
  • November 27th, 1981: The single "Don't You Want Me" is released by The Human League.
  • November 29th, 1981: Actress Natalie Woods drowns during a boat trip to Santa Catalina Island off California.
  • December 1st, 1981: 180 people are killed when Inex-Adria Aviopromet Flight 1308 crashes on the Mediterranean island of Corsica.
  • This date: December 3rd, 1981
  • December 4th, 1981: The movie On Golden Pond (1981) is released.
  • December 4th, 1981: The first episode of the soap drama "Falcon Crest" is aired on television.
  • December 10th, 1981: The BBC reports that an unknown "mystery disease" is killing homosexuals.
  • December 11th, 1981: Boxing legend Muhammad Ali has his last ever fight against Trevor Berbick.
  • December 12th, 1981: The first case of AIDS is reported in the United Kingdom.
  • December 13th, 1981: Martial law is declared in Poland in response to the Solidarity movement.
  • December 15th, 1981: The Soviet Union states that it is willing to send troops into Poland to help quash the Solidarity movement.
  • December 16th, 1981: Polish troops attempt to quash resistance against martial law by arresting leaders of the Solidarity movement.
  • December 19th, 1981: Penlee lifeboat disaster: 16 people die after the Solomon Browne lifeboat attempts to rescue a vessel in heavy seas.
  • December 24th, 1981: Mad Max 2 (1981) is released.
Zodiac info

Horoscope, birthstone, and birth flower information.

Zodiac and birthstone information.

NEW! Check out our personality summary image for this birth date.

  • Zodiac Sign (Astrology): Anyone born on December 3rd, 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 7.
  • Native American Zodiac: December 3rd, 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.

Photos of early 1980s fashion.

Photographs of early 1980s fashion and hairstyles.

Photos of early 1980s fashion.

Television shows

TV shows in 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
Animated television series that ran in the early 1980s.

Only Fools and Horses
Only Fools and Horses
British television comedy.

The Greatest American Hero
The Greatest American Hero
Comedy-drama superhero series starring William Katt as Ralph Hinkley.

Magnum, P.I.
Magnum, P.I.
Starring Tom Selleck as Private Investigator Thomas Magnum.

Knots Landing
Knots Landing
American soap opera.

Archie Bunker's Place
Archie Bunker's Place
Sitcom starring Carroll O'Connor.

Trapper John, M.D.
Trapper John, M.D.
Medical drama.

Hart to Hart
Hart to Hart
TV show about a couple who moonlight as detectives.

The Facts of Life
The Facts of Life
Sitcom about a girls boarding school in Peekskill, New York. Starring Charlotte Rae as housemother Edna Garrett.

The Dukes of Hazzard
The Dukes of Hazzard
American television series.

WKRP in Cincinnati
WKRP in Cincinnati
Sitcom about staff members who work at a radio station in Cincinnati.

Taxi
Taxi
American sitcom starring Andy Kaufman and Danny DeVito.

Dallas
Dallas
Soap opera.

The Incredible Hulk
The Incredible Hulk
Starring Lou Ferrigno.

The Love Boat
The Love Boat
Television series that was set on a cruise ship. Starring Gavin MacLeod as Captain Merrill Stubing.

Chips
Chips
TV show about two California Highway Patrol motorcycle officers called Jon Baker and Frank "Ponch" Poncherello.

Three's Company
Three's Company
Sitcom about two girls and their male room mate.

Quincy, M.E.
Quincy, M.E.
TV show about a Los Angeles County medical examiner called Dr. Quincy.

Laverne & Shirley
Laverne & Shirley
Series about two roommates called Laverne DeFazio and Shirley Feeney.

Barney Miller
Barney Miller
Sitcom about a police station in New York City. Starring Hal Linden as Captain Bernard "Barney" Miller.

The Jeffersons
The Jeffersons
TV show about an African- American couple that have moved into an upscale high-rise building.

Little House on the Prairie
Little House on the Prairie
TV show that was set in the 1870s.

Happy Days
Happy Days
TV show that is set in the 1950s / 1960s in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Last of the Summer Wine
Last of the Summer Wine
British sitcom about three senior citizens in the Yorkshire Dales.

M*A*S*H
M*A*S*H
TV series about an American military medical unit during the Korean War.

The Two Ronnies
The Two Ronnies
British comedy sketch show starring Ronnie Barker and Ronnie Corbett.

Columbo
Columbo
Crime drama television series starring Peter Falk as 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 December 3rd, 1981.

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

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

Popular toys and games in 1981.

Toys and games that were popular on this date in 1981.

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 of 1981.

Donkey Kong 1981
Donkey Kong
Arcade game released by Nintendo.

Missile Command 1980
Missile Command
Arcade game developed by Atari.

Pac-Man 1980
Pac-Man
Maze arcade game.

Galaxian 1980
Galaxian
Fixed shooter arcade game.

Asteroids 1979
Asteroids
Space-themed shooter arcade game.

Lunar Lander 1979
Lunar Lander
In which the player controls a lunar landing module.

Space Invaders 1978
Space Invaders
Shooter arcade game.

Breakout 1976
Breakout
Arcade game published by Atari.

Were you born on this date?

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 3rd, 1987, instead.

Celebrity birthdays

Celebrity birthdays.

Celebrities, historical figures, and other notable people who were born on December 3rd.

Ozzy Osbourne

Singer.
Born on December 3rd, 1948
He turned 33 on this day in 1981.

Brendan Fraser

Actor.
Born on December 3rd, 1968
He turned 13 on this day in 1981.

Holly Marie Combs

Actress.
Born on December 3rd, 1973
She turned 8 on this day in 1981.

Michael Essien

Former soccer player.
Born on December 3rd, 1982
He was born exactly one year after this date.

Lil Baby

Rapper.
Born on December 3rd, 1994
He was born exactly 13 years after this date.

USA

US President.

Ronald Reagan was the President of the United States on December 3rd, 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 3rd, 1981 was most likely conceived around March 12th, 1981.
  • The due date for a baby that was conceived on December 3rd, 1981 is close to August 26th, 1982.

Post a comment about this date.

Have something to say about this date? Was it your birthday? Or perhaps you have a memory of it?

All comments are moderated before they are published. We may edit comments to correct misspellings and grammar. We may also remove or redact personal information.

How old was I?

Find out what your age was on December 3rd, 1981, by entering your DOB below.
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Stats for December 3rd, 1981

Time difference & statistics.

Here are some fun statistics about December 3rd, 1981.

  • 15,268 days have passed since this date.
  • 2,181 weeks have passed.
  • 1,319,151,600 seconds have passed since December 3rd, 1981.
  • If you were born on this day, your heart has beat approximately 1,539,010,200 times.
  • Since then, the Earth has traveled approximately 680,682,225,600 miles through space.
  • If you were born on this day, your eyes have blinked approximately 219,858,600 times.
  • You have taken approximately 113,447,038 steps. That's roughly 50,421 miles!
  • Since this date, 15,829,819 meteors have entered the Earth's atmosphere!
  • How many years ago was 1981?

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