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December 18, 1981

December 18, 1981, was a Friday. It was 42 years, 3 months, and 11 days ago. The zodiac sign for this date is Sagittarius.

Song charts

Top songs

These songs were on top of the music charts in the United States and the United Kingdom on December 18, 1981:

  • United States: "Physical" by Olivia Newton-John
  • United Kingdom: "Don't You Want Me" by Human League

The Billboard Hot 100 on December 18, 1981

These songs were dominating the music charts:

  • Physical - Olivia Newton-John
  • Waiting For A Girl Like You - Foreigner
  • Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic - The Police
  • Oh No - Commodores
  • Let's Groove - Earth, Wind & Fire
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.
Rollover

Top movie

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

Facts

This date was 15,442 days ago. Approximately 515 months have passed. It was the 352nd day of 1981, in week 51. The decade was the eighties. The end of 1981 was just 13 days away. People born on this day are currently 42 years old and belong to the Millennial generation. We have gone through approximately 172 seasons of weather since this date.

Take me back to December 18, 1981

Let's take a walk down memory lane.

It is Friday, December 18, 1981. Babies who are born today will have the star sign Sagittarius. People have "that Friday feeling" and are excited for the weekend.

The Christmas season of 1981 is in full swing. People are putting up their decorations and festive songs are playing on the radio. In America, the song "Physical" by Olivia Newton-John is at the top of the singles charts, while "Don't You Want Me" by Human League is the number-one song in the UK. Ronald Reagan is the President of the United States, and the movie Rollover 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 John Belushi, Ayn Rand, Peter Maivia, and Grace Kelly would all still be alive. On TV, people are watching popular shows such as "Last of the Summer Wine", "Happy Days", "Three's Company", and "Only Fools and Horses". Meanwhile, gamers are playing titles such as "Breakout", "Lunar Lander", "Asteroids", and "Missile Command".

Kids and teenagers are watching TV shows such as "The Bugs Bunny Show", "Battle of the Planets", "The New Adventures of Flash Gordon", and "The Smurfs". Popular toys at the moment include the Easy-Bake Oven, the Snoopy Sno-Cone Machine, 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 18, 1981.

  • Christmas 1981.

    Christmas 1981

    The Christmas period of 1981 was in full swing by this stage. The decorations were up, festive music was playing on the radio, people were feeling stressed, retail stores were filled with shoppers, and everyone was making plans for the big day.
  • 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 18, 1981.

What are your strengths and weaknesses?

View Personality Summary

Events

What happened around this time?

Notable events that happened close to December 18, 1981.

  • 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.
  • December 1, 1981: 180 people are killed when Inex-Adria Aviopromet Flight 1308 crashes on the Mediterranean island of Corsica.
  • 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.
  • This date: December 18, 1981
  • 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.
  • January 6, 1982:
    • The trial of serial killer Wayne Williams begins in Fulton County, Georgia.
    • William Bonin is convicted of being the Freeway Killer in California.
  • January 7, 1982: The Commodore 64 8-bit home computer is released.
  • January 12, 1982: Margaret Thatcher's son Mark Thatcher goes missing in the Sahara desert.
  • January 13, 1982: Air Florida Flight 90 crashes in Washington, killing 78 people.
Zodiac info

Zodiac

Zodiac, birthstone, and birth flower information.

Personality summary image

  • Zodiac Sign (Astrology): Anyone born on December 18, 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 4.
  • Native American Zodiac: December 18, 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

TV series on December 18, 1981

People in December 1981 were watching the following TV series:

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

Kids TV shows on December 18, 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 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 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 18, 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 18, 1987, instead.

Celebrity birthdays

Celebrity birthdays

Celebrities, historical figures, and other notable people who were born on December 18.

Franz Ferdinand

Franz Ferdinand

Archduke of Austria Deceased
Born on December 18, 1863
He was not alive on this date.

Joseph Stalin

Joseph Stalin

Soviet Leader Deceased
Born on December 18, 1878
He was not alive on this date.

Arthur Leigh Allen

Arthur Leigh Allen

Zodiac Killer suspect Deceased
Born on December 18, 1933
He turned 48 on this day in 1981.

Keith Richards

Keith Richards

Musician
Born on December 18, 1943
He turned 38 on this day in 1981.

Steven Spielberg

Steven Spielberg

Film director
Born on December 18, 1946
He turned 35 on this day in 1981.

Edmund Kemper

Edmund Kemper

Serial killer
Born on December 18, 1948
He turned 33 on this day in 1981.

Ray Liotta

Ray Liotta

Actor Deceased
Born on December 18, 1954
He turned 27 on this day in 1981.

Brad Pitt

Brad Pitt

Actor
Born on December 18, 1963
He turned 18 on this day in 1981.

Stone Cold Steve Austin

Stone Cold Steve Austin

Wrestler
Born on December 18, 1964
He turned 17 on this day in 1981.

DMX

DMX

Rapper Deceased
Born on December 18, 1970
He turned 11 on this day in 1981.

DJ Lethal

DJ Lethal

Limp Bizkit
Born on December 18, 1972
He turned 9 on this day in 1981.

Trish Stratus

Trish Stratus

Fitness model / wrestler
Born on December 18, 1975
She turned 6 on this day in 1981.

Sia

Sia

Singer
Born on December 18, 1975
She turned 6 on this day in 1981.

Katie Holmes

Katie Holmes

Actress
Born on December 18, 1978
She turned 3 on this day in 1981.

Christina Aguilera

Christina Aguilera

Singer
Born on December 18, 1980
She turned 1 on this day in 1981.

Billie Eilish

Billie Eilish

Singer
Born on December 18, 2001
She was born exactly 20 years after this date.

USA

US President

Ronald Reagan was the President of the United States on December 18, 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 18, 1981 was most likely conceived around March 27, 1981.
  • The due date for a baby that was conceived on December 18, 1981 is close to September 10, 1982.

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Stats for December 18, 1981

Statistics

Here are some interesting statistics about December 18, 1981:

  • 15,442 days have passed since this date.
  • 2,206 weeks have passed.
  • 1,334,188,800 seconds have passed since December 18, 1981.
  • If you were born on this day, your heart has beat approximately 1,556,553,600 times.
  • Since then, the Earth has traveled approximately 688,441,420,800 miles through space.
  • If you were born on this day, your eyes have blinked approximately 222,364,800 times.
  • You have taken approximately 114,740,237 steps. That's roughly 50,996 miles!
  • Since this date, 16,010,266 meteors have entered the Earth's atmosphere!
  • How many years ago was 1981?

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