1981 Headlines

The most important event of the year was: 

155 new graduates of Floyd County High School hit the streets to make their mark on the world!

Other minor headlines and events of the year were:

News Headlines

  • Ronald Reagan was inaugriated as the 40th President of the United States
  •  52 US Hostages are released in Iran after 444 days of captivity
  • Sandra Day O'Conner is appointed as the first female U.S. Supreme Court Justice
  •  Iran Contra Scandal
  • The first IBM PC is released at a base price of $1,565.  It was powered by a 4.77 Mhz processor.
  • The first launch of a Space Shuttle:  Columbia
  • Lady Diana Spencer marries Charles, Prince of Wales


Cinema

  • Chariots of Fire wins best picture
  • Raiders of the Lost Ark, Stripes, and 9 to 5 are in theaters
  • Natalie Woods drowns during a boating accident
  • Tom Cruise makes his acting debut




Music

  •  Betty Davis Eyes by Kim Carnes is #1 selling single
  • Blondie releases Rature and The Tide is High
  • Olivia Newton-John gets Physical
  • Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap album released by AC/DC
  • Wild-eyed Southern Boys by 38 Special
  • MTV debuts on cable TV 


Television
  • Dynasty premiers on ABC
  • Hill Street Blues premieres on NBC
  • Falcon Crest and Simon & Simon premiere on CBS
  • Heiress, socialite, and actress Paris Hilton is born
  • Pat Sajak takes the Wheel of Fortune over from Chuck Woolery
  • Walter Cronkite resigns as head anchor of the CBS Evening News
  • "and that's the way it is..."  (or was) in 1981

source:  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1981