1981 Protests & Revolutions Events — Verified Historical Highlights
1981 Protests & Revolutions Events — Verified Historical Highlights | TakeMeBack.to
- 25 Jan Jiang Qing, Mao Zedong's widow, sentenced to death for counter-revolutionary crimes: Jiang Qing, the widow of Chinese leader Mao Zedong, was sentenced to death on January 25, 1981, for her role in the Cultural Revolution. She was held responsible for the turmoil and bloodshed during that period but denied the charges and denounced China's leaders. Her sentence was commuted to life imprisonment in 1983, and she died in prison in 1991. source: history.com
- 01 Mar Bobby Sands hunger strike begins in Northern Ireland: On March 1, 1981, Bobby Sands, a member of the Provisional Irish Republican Army (IRA), began a hunger strike in the Maze Prison, Northern Ireland. The strike aimed to secure political status for IRA prisoners and drew significant international attention, highlighting the conflict in Northern Ireland. Sands' protest lasted 66 days, ultimately leading to his death on May 5, 1981, and becoming a symbol of the struggle for Irish republicanism. source: bbc.com
- 11 Mar Kosovo student protests escalate into riots demanding autonomy: In March 1981, student protests in Pristina, Kosovo, demanding better living conditions, escalated into widespread riots. Demonstrators, including university students and miners, called for Kosovo to be upgraded from a province to a republic within Yugoslavia. The Yugoslav government declared a state of emergency on April 3, 1981, in response to the unrest. source: washingtonpost.com
- 26 Mar Kosovo demonstrations escalate on March 26, 1981: On March 26, 1981, student protests in Pristina, Kosovo, intensified as thousands of demonstrators chanted nationalist slogans. The police responded with force, injuring 32 people and arresting 21. This escalation led to widespread unrest, prompting the Yugoslav authorities to declare a state of emergency in Pristina and Kosovska Mitrovica. The protests, initially sparked by demands for better living conditions, evolved into calls for greater autonomy within Yugoslavia. source: en.wikipedia.org
- 03 Apr Yugoslav government deploys troops to Kosovo amid nationalist unrest: In early April 1981, the Yugoslav government deployed tanks and troops to Kosovo following two days of serious nationalist disturbances by ethnic Albanians. The unrest, which began among students at the University of Pristina, escalated into widespread protests demanding greater autonomy for Kosovo. The government declared a state of emergency, imposed a curfew, and restricted movement into and out of the province to suppress the demonstrations. source: washingtonpost.com
- 11 Apr Brixton riots in London: The Brixton riots, also known as the Brixton uprising, occurred between April 10 and 12, 1981, in Brixton, South London. The unrest was triggered by tensions between the predominantly Black community and the Metropolitan Police, particularly due to the controversial 'sus law' and Operation Swamp 81, which involved extensive stop-and-search activities. The main riot on April 11 resulted in 279 police officers and 45 members of the public being injured, over a hundred vehicles being burned—including 56 police vehicles—and nearly 150 buildings being damaged, with 30 destroyed by fire. The disturbances led to 82 arrests and were followed by similar riots in other English cities. In response, the government commissioned the Scarman Report to investigate the causes of the unrest. source: en.wikipedia.org
- 05 May Bobby Sands dies after hunger strike in prison: Bobby Sands, an Irish republican and member of the Provisional Irish Republican Army (IRA), died on May 5, 1981, after 66 days of hunger strike. His protest was aimed at gaining political status for prisoners in Northern Ireland. Sands' death garnered significant international attention and highlighted the ongoing conflict in Northern Ireland. source: bbc.com
- 12 May Francis Hughes dies during hunger strike in 1981: Francis Hughes, an Irish Republican Army (IRA) member, died on May 12, 1981, after 59 days on hunger strike. His protest was part of the broader hunger strike by IRA prisoners demanding political status. Hughes' death intensified the hunger strike movement and drew international attention to the conditions of political prisoners in Northern Ireland. source: bbc.com
- 20 Jun Casablanca bread riots in Morocco: On June 20, 1981, widespread riots erupted in Casablanca, Morocco, in response to significant increases in the prices of basic food items such as bread, sugar, and cooking oil. The unrest led to violent confrontations between protesters and security forces, resulting in numerous fatalities and injuries. The government reported 66 deaths, while opposition sources claimed over 600 fatalities. The riots were a significant event during Morocco's "Years of Lead," a period marked by political repression and social unrest. source: washingtonpost.com
- 27 Jun Resolution on Certain Questions in the History of Our Party since the Founding of the People's Republic of China adopted: On June 27, 1981, the Central Committee of the Chinese Communist Party unanimously adopted the "Resolution on Certain Questions in the History of Our Party since the Founding of the People's Republic of China." This document assessed the legacy of the Mao Zedong era, particularly the Cultural Revolution, and outlined the party's future direction. It was prepared over 15 months and revised multiple times to align with Deng Xiaoping's views, emphasizing the need to affirm Mao's revolutionary contributions while acknowledging his errors. source: marxists.org
- 28 Jun Haft-e Tir bombing at Islamic Republican Party headquarters in Tehran: On June 28, 1981, a powerful bomb exploded at the Islamic Republican Party (IRP) headquarters in Tehran during a meeting of party leaders. The attack resulted in the deaths of 74 officials, including Chief Justice Ayatollah Mohammad Beheshti, who was the second most powerful figure in the Iranian Revolution at the time. The People's Mujahedin of Iran (MEK) was accused of carrying out the bombing, though they did not claim responsibility. source: washingtonpost.com
- 08 Jul Joe McDonnell dies during hunger strike: Joe McDonnell, a member of the Provisional Irish Republican Army (IRA), died on July 8, 1981, after 61 days on hunger strike in the Maze Prison, Northern Ireland. His death was the fifth among IRA prisoners protesting for political status, following those of Bobby Sands, Francis Hughes, Raymond McCreesh, and Patsy O'Hara. McDonnell's death intensified tensions and led to riots in Belfast and Londonderry. source: washingtonpost.com
- 29 Jul Iranian President Banisadr flees to Paris amid political turmoil: On July 29, 1981, Iranian President Abolhassan Banisadr fled to Paris as political tensions escalated in Iran following the Islamic Revolution. His departure marked a significant moment in Iran's political history, as he had been facing increasing opposition from hardline factions within the government. Banisadr's flight symbolized the instability and challenges faced by the newly established Islamic Republic. source: britannica.com
- 30 Jul Mass protests in Łódź against food shortages: On July 30, 1981, between 30,000 and 50,000 women and children marched through Łódź, Poland's second-largest city, protesting severe food shortages. Organized by local Solidarity activists, the peaceful demonstration featured participants singing hymns and carrying banners with slogans like "We want to eat" and "Our children are hungry." This event was part of a series of hunger demonstrations across Poland during the summer of 1981. source: upi.com
- 03 Oct Maze Prison hunger strike ends after seven months: On October 3, 1981, the seven-month-long hunger strike by Irish nationalist prisoners at the Maze Prison in Northern Ireland concluded. Initiated by Bobby Sands on March 1, 1981, the protest aimed to restore political status to prisoners. The strike resulted in the deaths of ten inmates, including Sands, who died on May 5, 1981. The remaining six prisoners ended their fast on October 3, 1981, following intervention by their families and religious leaders. source: news.bbc.co.uk
- 25 Oct Massive anti-cruise missile demonstration in Brussels: On October 25, 1981, over 200,000 demonstrators marched through Brussels to protest the deployment of U.S. cruise missiles in Belgium. The protest was part of a broader European movement against nuclear weapons, with similar demonstrations occurring in Paris and Oslo on the same day. The Brussels march was one of the largest anti-nuclear demonstrations in the city's history. source: washingtonpost.com
- 16 Dec Pacification of Wujek: Polish authorities suppress miners' strike, resulting in nine deaths: On December 16, 1981, Polish authorities forcibly suppressed a miners' strike at the Wujek Coal Mine in Katowice, leading to the deaths of nine miners. The miners had been protesting against the imposition of martial law and the arrest of their union leader. The crackdown involved riot police and military units, who used live ammunition to disperse the protesters. This event remains one of the most tragic incidents during Poland's martial law period. source: en.wikipedia.org
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