1981 Facts, Fun Trivia and History

1981 Facts, Fun Trivia and History

Quick Facts from 1981:

• World Changing Event: Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) was recognized in 1981, and the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) was identified in 1984.
• The Top Song was Physical by Olivia Newton-John
• The Movies to Watch include Raiders of the Lost Ark, On Golden Pond, Superman II, The Cannonball Run, Time Bandits, Arthur, An American Werewolf in London and Clash of the Titans
• The Most Famous Person in America was probably Diana, Princess of Wales
• Notable books include: The Hotel New Hampshire by John Irving and When Bad Things Happen to Good People by Harold Kushner
• Price of a Rubick’s Cube: $3.99
  Sharp VHS Videocassette recorder: $599 to $950
  Minimum Wage in 1981: $3.35 per hour
• The Funny Guy was: Rodney Dangerfield
  The Funny Duo were: Cheech and Chong
• The Conversation: What really happened to cause the death of actress Natalie Wood while on a boating trip with then-husband Robert Wagner, actor Christopher Walken, and captain Dennis Davern?

“The Quotes:”
“You can tell a lot about a fellow’s character by his way of eating jellybeans. “
– President Ronald Reagan

“Betcha can’t eat just one”
-Lay’s Potato Chips

“No wire hangers, ever!”
– Faye Dunaway, in ‘Mommie Dearest’

“Listen to me, mister. You’re my knight in shining armor. Don’t you forget it. You’re going to get back on that horse, and I’m going to be right behind you, holding on tight, and away we’re gonna go, go, go!”
– Katharine Hepburn, in ‘On Golden Pond’

“We bring good things to life”
-General Electric (GE)

“Be all that you can be”
– United States Army ad

The Scandals:
Pulitzer Prize-winning Washington Post reporter Janet Cooke cooked up a story about an 8-year-old heroin addict named Jimmy. He didn’t exist, but her pleas that he could have existed didn’t stop her from getting in trouble.

Jack Henry Abbott was a felon/murderer/bank robber who wrote In the Belly of the Beast while in prison. Norman Mailer and others vouched for him… he was released and soon stabbed an employee at a restaurant who told him he could not use the employee’s rest room. Back in prison, he killed himself in 2002.

Sandra Day O’Connor became the first female U.S. Supreme Court Justice.

“Bulimia” was the new word du jour.

The Smurfs, created in 1958, the Hanna-Barbera cartoon series brought them into American pop culture. Though many fans think Smurfette was the only female Smurf, there were actually two more – Nanny Smurf and Sassette Smurf. There was no Smurfina.

Prince Charles married Lady Diana on July 29, 1981. It was on TV and in all the newspapers.

Cost of a Superbowl ad in 1981: $275,000

East End Show – Cats (Musical) Opened on May 11, 1981 and closed on May 11, 2002

Broadway Show – Dreamgirls (Musical) Opened on December 20, 1981 and closed on August 11, 1985

1981 Billboard Number One Songs:
December 27, 1980 – January 30, 1981:
(Just Like) Starting Over John Lennon

January 31 – February 6:
The Tide Is High Blondie

February 7 – February 20:
Celebration Kool & The Gang

February 21 – March 6:
9 to 5 Dolly Parton

March 7 – March 20:
I Love A Rainy Night Eddie Rabbitt

March 21 – March 27:
Keep On Loving You – REO Speedwagon

March 28 – April 10:
Rapture – Blondie

April 11 – May 1:
Kiss On My List – Hall & Oates

May 2 – May 15:
Morning Train (Nine To Five) – Sheena Easton

May 16 – July 17:
Bette Davis Eyes – Kim Carnes

July 18 – July 24:
Medley – Stars on 45

July 25 – July 31:
The One That You Love – Air Supply

August 1 – August 14:
Jessie’s Girl – Rick Springfield

August 15 – October 16:
Endless Love – Diana Ross & Lionel Richie

October 17 – November 6:
Arthur’s Theme (Best That You Can Do) – Christopher Cross

November 7 – November 20:
Private Eyes – Hall & Oates

November 21, 1981 – January 29, 1982:
Physical – Olivia Newton-John