1981 Social Movements Events — Verified Historical Highlights
1981 Social Movements Events — Verified Historical Highlights | TakeMeBack.to
- 01 Jan International Year of Disabled Persons declared by the UN: The United Nations declared 1981 as the International Year of Disabled Persons to promote awareness and support for the rights and well-being of individuals with disabilities. This initiative aimed to encourage governments and organizations to take action towards improving the quality of life for disabled persons worldwide. The year served as a catalyst for subsequent policies and programs focused on disability rights and inclusion. source: un.org
- 05 Jan Lanza del Vasto Remembered: Commemorating Lanza del Vasto, an Italian-born philosopher, poet, and activist who was influential in non-violent social movements and philosophical thought. Born in 1901, he made significant contributions to intellectual and social discourse.
- 27 Feb McCartney and Wonder record "Ebony and Ivory": On February 27, 1981, Paul McCartney and Stevie Wonder recorded "Ebony and Ivory" at AIR Studios in Montserrat. The song, written by McCartney, uses the metaphor of piano keys to promote racial harmony. It was released as a single on March 29, 1982, and became a major hit, topping charts in multiple countries.
- 28 Feb Stevie Wonder and Paul McCartney record 'Ebony and Ivory': On February 28, 1981, Paul McCartney and Stevie Wonder recorded the song 'Ebony and Ivory' at AIR Studios in Montserrat. The track, written by McCartney, was released as a single on March 29, 1982, and became a major hit, topping charts in both the UK and the US. source: the-paulmccartney-project.com
- 02 Mar Black People's Day of Action in Response to New Cross Massacre: On March 2, 1981, approximately 20,000 people marched through London to protest the New Cross house fire, which had killed 13 young Black individuals in January. Organized by the New Cross Massacre Action Committee, the demonstration aimed to demand justice and highlight perceived police indifference. The march began at Fordham Park and concluded at Hyde Park, with participants carrying placards bearing slogans like "13 Dead, Nothing Said." source: bristol.ac.uk
- 05 Mar Yip Harburg's death in 1981: Yip Harburg, the renowned lyricist of "Over the Rainbow," died on March 5, 1981, in Los Angeles. Initial reports stated he died in a car crash, but it was later determined he suffered a heart attack while stopped at a red light on Sunset Boulevard. source: upi.com
- 06 Mar Walter Cronkite signs off as CBS Evening News anchor: On March 6, 1981, Walter Cronkite delivered his final broadcast as the anchor of the CBS Evening News, a role he held for 19 years. Known as 'the most trusted man in America,' Cronkite's departure marked the end of an era in television journalism. His influence on news reporting and public trust in media was profound, shaping the landscape of broadcast journalism. source: cbsnews.com
- 09 Mar Dan Rather becomes CBS News anchor: On March 9, 1981, Dan Rather officially took over as the anchor of the CBS Evening News, succeeding Walter Cronkite. Rather's appointment marked a significant shift in network news, as he brought a more aggressive reporting style to the anchor desk. His tenure lasted until 2005, during which he became known for his coverage of major events, including the September 11 attacks and the Iraq War. source: nytimes.com
- 10 Mar Kim Carnes' 'Bette Davis Eyes' single released: On March 10, 1981, Kim Carnes released 'Bette Davis Eyes,' a song written by Donna Weiss and Jackie DeShannon in 1974. The track became a major hit, spending nine non-consecutive weeks at the top of the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 and winning the 1982 Grammy Awards for Song of the Year and Record of the Year. source: en.wikipedia.org
- 21 Mar REO Speedwagon's 'Keep On Loving You' reaches number one on US charts: REO Speedwagon's 'Keep On Loving You' topped the US Billboard Hot 100 chart for one week starting March 21, 1981. The song, written by lead vocalist Kevin Cronin, was the band's first number-one single and was certified platinum for over one million copies sold in the US. source: en.wikipedia.org
- 26 Jun Couples for Christ Foundation established: Couples for Christ (CFC) is an international Catholic lay ecclesial movement founded in 1981 in Manila, Philippines, by the charismatic community Ang Ligaya ng Panginoon (LNP). Initially targeting married couples, CFC has since expanded to include various family ministries and is present in over 100 countries. source: couplesforchristaustria.org
- 10 Jul Rajneeshpuram Commune Established: Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh purchased a 39-square-mile ranch near Antelope, Oregon, establishing the controversial Rajneeshpuram commune. This would later become a significant case study in alternative community living and religious movements.
- 25 Jul Anti-apartheid protesters disrupt Springboks rugby match in Hamilton: On July 25, 1981, during the South African Springboks' tour of New Zealand, hundreds of anti-apartheid protesters stormed Rugby Park in Hamilton, disrupting a scheduled match between the Springboks and the Waikato team. The protesters breached the stadium's perimeter, leading to the cancellation of the game. The incident was broadcast live, drawing international attention to the anti-apartheid movement. source: nzhistory.govt.nz
- 03 Sep UN Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women established: The UN Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) was adopted on September 3, 1981. This landmark treaty aims to eliminate discrimination against women and promote gender equality globally. It has been ratified by numerous countries, establishing a framework for women's rights and empowerment. source: un.org
- 05 Sep Greenham Common Women's Peace Camp established: On September 5, 1981, 36 women from the group Women for Life on Earth arrived at RAF Greenham Common in Berkshire, England, to protest the storage of American cruise missiles. They chained themselves to the base's perimeter fence and delivered an open letter to the base commander, stating their opposition to the nuclear arms race. This marked the beginning of the Greenham Common Women's Peace Camp, which became a significant symbol of the anti-nuclear movement. source: Wikipedia (day-month pages)
- 09 Sep Vernon Jordan resigns as president of National Urban League: On September 9, 1981, Vernon Jordan announced his resignation as president of the National Urban League, a position he had held since 1971. He stated his decision was based on personal and institutional considerations, emphasizing his belief that he had fulfilled his role and that it was time for a change. Jordan's departure marked the end of a significant era in the civil rights movement, as he had been a prominent figure advocating for economic and social justice for African Americans. source: time.com
- 02 Oct Harry Golden, American journalist, dies at 79: Harry Golden, a Jewish-American journalist and writer known for his civil rights activism and the publication of 'The Carolina Israelite,' died on October 2, 1981, at his home in Charlotte, North Carolina, after a heart attack. He was 79 years old. source: washingtonpost.com
- 21 Nov Mass anti-nuclear missile protest in Amsterdam: On November 21, 1981, approximately 400,000 to 450,000 people participated in a large demonstration in Amsterdam against the deployment of nuclear weapons in Europe. Organized by the Interkerkelijk Vredesberaad (Interdenominational Peace Council) in collaboration with political parties, unions, and peace groups, the protest was the largest in the Netherlands since World War II. Demonstrators marched to express opposition to NATO's plans to station 572 nuclear missiles in Western Europe, including 48 cruise missiles in the Netherlands. source: en.wikipedia.org
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