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July 30, 1981

July 30, 1981, was a Thursday. It was 43 years, 4 months, and 23 days ago. The zodiac star sign for this date is Leo.

On This Day

Events

Notable events that occurred on July 30, 1981:

  • Thousands of people take part in several hunger demonstrations across Poland.
Song charts

Popular songs

On July 30, 1981, the following songs were at the top of the music charts in the USA and the UK:

  • United States: "Jessie's Girl" by Rick Springfield
  • United Kingdom: "Green Door" by Shakin' Stevens

The music charts on July 30, 1981

The following songs were dominating the Billboard Hot 100 chart:

  • The One That You Love - Air Supply
  • Bette Davis Eyes - Kim Carnes
  • Jessie's Girl - Rick Springfield
  • Theme From "Greatest American Hero" (Believe It or Not) - Joey Scarbury
  • Elvira - The Oak Ridge Boys
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.
Tarzan, the Ape Man

Top movie

The top movie on this day was "Tarzan, the Ape Man".

Facts

This date was 15,851 days ago. Approximately 528 months have passed. It was the 211th day of 1981, in week 31. The decade was the eighties. People born on this day are currently 43 years old and belong to the Millennial generation. 176 seasons of weather have come and gone since then.

Take me back to July 30, 1981

Let's go back to the eighties.

It is Thursday, July 30, 1981. Babies who are born today will have the star sign Leo. The summer of 1981 is in full swing. The weather is warm, and the evenings are brighter than usual. Most schools and colleges are now finished until August or September.

In America, the song "Jessie's Girl" by Rick Springfield is at the top of the singles charts, while "Green Door" by Shakin' Stevens is the number-one song in the UK. Ronald Reagan is the President of the United States, and the movie Tarzan, the Ape Man 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 "M*A*S*H", "Little House on the Prairie", "Chips", and "The Greatest American Hero". Meanwhile, gamers are playing titles such as "Breakout", "Lunar Lander", "Galaxian", and "Missile Command". Children and teenagers are watching television shows such as "The Bugs Bunny Show", "Schoolhouse Rock!", "The All New Popeye Hour", and "Battle of the Planets".

Popular toys at the moment include Star Wars action figures, the Atari 2600, Speak & Spell, and Space Lego.

Zodiac info

Zodiac

Zodiac, birthstone, and birth flower information.

Personality summary image

  • Zodiac Sign (Astrology): Anyone born on July 30, 1981, will have the star sign Leo.
  • 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 11.
  • Native American Zodiac: July 30, 1981 falls under the Salmon.
  • Birthstone: A person during the month of July will have the birthstone Ruby.
  • Birth flower (July): The Larkspur and the Water Lily.
News

News, nostalgia, and fads

These are news stories, trending topics, and fads that were popular on July 30, 1981.

  • 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 July 30, 1981.

What are your strengths and weaknesses?

View Personality Summary

Events

What happened around this time?

Notable events that happened close to July 30, 1981.

  • July 3, 1981: AIDS epidemic: The New York Times publishes a story about a "rare cancer" that has been found in 41 homosexuals.
  • July 5, 1981: Rioting and looting takes place on the streets of Toxteth, Liverpool.
  • July 10, 1981:
    • The Fox and the Hound (1981) is released.
    • The film Escape from New York (1981) is released.
    • Ken McElroy is murdered in Skidmore, Missouri.
  • July 17, 1981:
    • The movie Arthur (1981) is released in cinemas.
    • Soft Cell release their version of the song "Tainted Love".
    • 114 people are killed after two walkways collapse during a tea dance at the Hyatt Regency Kansas City hotel.
  • July 18, 1981: Over 100 people are injured after a hunger strike demonstration turns violent in Dublin, Ireland.
  • July 27, 1981: The infamous murder of 6-year-old Adam Walsh occurs in Hollywood, Florida.
  • July 29, 1981: Prince Charles and Lady Diana are married in London, England.
  • This date: July 30, 1981
  • August 1, 1981:
    • The music channel MTV is launched.
    • Diana Ross and Lionel Richie release the song "Endless Love".
  • August 3, 1981: 13,000 air traffic controllers go on strike in the United States.
  • August 7, 1981: The daily afternoon newspaper "The Washington Star" ceases all operations and files for bankruptcy.
  • August 10, 1981: The remains of missing 6-year-old boy Adam Walsh are found in a drainage canal in rural Indian River County, Florida.
  • August 12, 1981: The operating system "MS DOS" is released.
  • August 16, 1981: Thin Lizzy headline at Slane.
  • 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.

Early 1980s fashion

Photographs of early 1980s fashion and hairstyles.

Early 1980s fashion

Television shows

TV shows in 1981

In July 1981, TV audiences were watching the following series:

TV shows from July 1981.

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
WKRP in Cincinnati
WKRP in Cincinnati
Taxi
Taxi

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 July 30, 1981

If you were a kid on July 30, 1981, then you were probably watching the following cartoons and TV shows:

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
Happy Days
Happy Days
Schoolhouse Rock!
Schoolhouse Rock!
Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids
Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids
Sesame Street
Sesame Street
Toys

Popular toys and games in 1981

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

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 July 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 July 30, 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 July 30, 1987, instead.

Celebrity birthdays

Celebrity birthdays

Celebrities, historical figures, and other notable people who were born on July 30.

Henry Ford

Henry Ford

American industrialist Deceased
Born on July 30, 1863
He was not alive on this date.

Tony Lip

Tony Lip

Actor Deceased
Born on July 30, 1930
He turned 51 on this day in 1981.

Arnold Schwarzenegger

Arnold Schwarzenegger

Actor / Politician
Born on July 30, 1947
He turned 34 on this day in 1981.

Lisa Kudrow

Lisa Kudrow

Actress
Born on July 30, 1963
She turned 18 on this day in 1981.

Terry Crews

Terry Crews

American actor
Born on July 30, 1968
He turned 13 on this day in 1981.

Sean Moore

Sean Moore

Manic Street Preachers
Born on July 30, 1968
He turned 13 on this day in 1981.

Tom Green

Tom Green

Comedian and actor
Born on July 30, 1971
He turned 10 on this day in 1981.

Hilary Swank

Hilary Swank

Actress
Born on July 30, 1974
She turned 7 on this day in 1981.

Gina Rodriguez

Gina Rodriguez

Actress
Born on July 30, 1984
She was born exactly 3 years after this date.

USA

US President

Ronald Reagan was the President of the United States on July 30, 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 July 30, 1981 was most likely conceived around November 6, 1980.
  • The due date for a baby that was conceived on July 30, 1981 is close to April 22, 1982.

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Stats for July 30, 1981

Statistics

Here are some interesting statistics about July 30, 1981:

  • 15,851 days have passed since this date.
  • 2,264 weeks have passed.
  • 1,369,530,000 seconds have passed since July 30, 1981.
  • If you were born on this day, your heart has beat approximately 1,597,785,000 times.
  • Since then, the Earth has traveled approximately 706,677,480,000 miles through space.
  • If you were born on this day, your eyes have blinked approximately 228,255,000 times.
  • You have taken approximately 117,779,580 steps. That's roughly 52,346 miles.
  • 16,434,360 meteors have entered the Earth's atmosphere.
  • How many years ago was 1981?

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