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December 21, 1981

December 21, 1981, was a Monday. It was 42 years, 11 months, and 2 days ago. The zodiac star 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 21, 1981:

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

The Billboard Hot 100 on December 21, 1981

These songs were dominating the music charts:

  • Physical - Olivia Newton-John
  • Waiting For A Girl Like You - Foreigner
  • Let's Groove - Earth, Wind & Fire
  • Oh No - Commodores
  • Young Turks - Rod Stewart
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.
Neighbors

Top movie

The top movie on this day was "Neighbors".

Facts

This date occurred 15,678 days ago. Approximately 523 months have passed. It was the 355th day of 1981, in week 52. The decade was the eighties. The start of 1982 was just 10 days away. People who were born on December 21, 1981, are now 42 years old and belong to the Millennial generation. 174 seasons of weather have come and gone since then.

Take me back to December 21, 1981

Let's take a walk down memory lane.

The date is December 21, 1981, and it's a Monday. Babies who are born today will have the star sign Sagittarius. The weekend has just passed, so some people are feeling a bit down. Others are tired after partying too much.

Christmas Day of 1981 is fast approaching and the excitement is building. Department stores are packed with Christmas shoppers, and people are meeting up with friends that they haven't seen in a while. 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 Neighbors 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 "Happy Days", "The Incredible Hulk", "Magnum, P.I.", and "Spider-Man and His Amazing Friends". 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 "Lunar Lander", "Asteroids", "Galaxian", and "Donkey Kong".

Kids and teenagers are watching TV shows such as "Captain Kangaroo", "Sesame Street", "Schoolhouse Rock!", and "Diff'rent Strokes". Children are playing with toys such as Big Jim (action figure), Simon (memory game), the Big Wheel (tricycle), and Fischer Price cassette player.

Zodiac info

Zodiac

Zodiac, birthstone, and birth flower information.

Personality summary image

  • Zodiac Sign (Astrology): Anyone born on December 21, 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 21, 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.
News

News, nostalgia, and fads

These are news stories, trending topics, and fads that were popular on December 21, 1981.

  • Christmas 1981 is days away.

    Christmas 1981 is days away

    Christmas 1981 was just days away. The decorations were up, festive music was playing on the radio, people were buying last-minute presents for their loved ones, and stores were packed with shoppers. Schools, colleges, and non-retail businesses were also beginning to close for the holiday season.
  • 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 21, 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 21, 1981.

  • November 27, 1981: The single "Don't You Want Me" is released by The Human League.
  • November 28, 1981: Katrice Lee (2) goes missing from the NAAFI shopping complex in Paderborn, West Germany.
  • 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.
  • December 19, 1981: Penlee lifeboat disaster: 16 people die after the Solomon Browne lifeboat attempts to rescue a vessel in heavy seas.
  • This date: December 21, 1981
  • 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.

Early 1980s fashion

Photographs of early 1980s fashion and hairstyles.

Early 1980s fashion

Television shows

Television shows in December 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
Hill Street Blues
Hill Street Blues
Dynasty
Dynasty
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

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
Postman Pat
Postman Pat

The Smurfs
The Smurfs
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
Toys

Toys in 1981

If you were a child on this date, then you may have had some of the following toys:

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
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 21, 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 21, 1987, instead.

Celebrity birthdays

Celebrity birthdays

Celebrities, historical figures, and other notable people who were born on December 21.

Jane Fonda

Jane Fonda

Actress
Born on December 21, 1937
She turned 44 on this day in 1981.

Frank Zappa

Frank Zappa

Musician Deceased
Born on December 21, 1940
He turned 41 on this day in 1981.

Samuel L. Jackson

Samuel L. Jackson

Actor
Born on December 21, 1948
He turned 33 on this day in 1981.

Jane Kaczmarek

Jane Kaczmarek

Actress
Born on December 21, 1955
She turned 26 on this day in 1981.

Ray Romano

Ray Romano

Actor
Born on December 21, 1957
He turned 24 on this day in 1981.

Kiefer Sutherland

Kiefer Sutherland

Actor
Born on December 21, 1966
He turned 15 on this day in 1981.

Emmanuel Macron

Emmanuel Macron

French president
Born on December 21, 1977
He turned 4 on this day in 1981.

The King of Random

The King of Random

Youtube personality Deceased
Born on December 21, 1980
He turned 1 on this day in 1981.

Steven Yeun

Steven Yeun

Actor
Born on December 21, 1983
He was born exactly 2 years after this date.

Kaitlyn Dever

Kaitlyn Dever

Actress
Born on December 21, 1996
She was born exactly 15 years after this date.

Ben Chilwell

Ben Chilwell

Soccer player
Born on December 21, 1996
He was born exactly 15 years after this date.

USA

US President

Ronald Reagan was the President of the United States on December 21, 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 21, 1981 was most likely conceived around March 30, 1981.
  • The due date for a baby that was conceived on December 21, 1981 is close to September 13, 1982.

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Stats for December 21, 1981

Statistics

Here are some interesting statistics about December 21, 1981:

  • 15,678 days have passed since this date.
  • 2,239 weeks have passed.
  • 1,354,579,200 seconds have passed since December 21, 1981.
  • If you were born on this day, your heart has beat approximately 1,580,342,400 times.
  • Since then, the Earth has traveled approximately 698,962,867,200 miles through space.
  • If you were born on this day, your eyes have blinked approximately 225,763,200 times.
  • You have taken approximately 116,493,811 steps. That's roughly 51,775 miles.
  • 16,254,950 meteors have entered the Earth's atmosphere.
  • How many years ago was 1981?

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