Major Events of February 1981: Key Historical Moments from the Month
Each month is marked by defining moments that shape the course of history. Whether through political shifts, cultural movements, or world-changing events, these periods leave a lasting impression. Dive into the most important events from February 1981 and discover how they influenced the world both then and now.
Major Events of February 1981: Key Historical Moments from the Month
- 01 Feb 1981 Underarm bowling incident of 1981: On February 1, 1981, during a One Day International cricket match between Australia and New Zealand at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, Australian captain Greg Chappell instructed his brother, bowler Trevor Chappell, to deliver the final ball underarm to prevent New Zealand from scoring a six to tie the match. This tactic, while legal at the time, was widely criticized as unsportsmanlike and led to changes in cricket laws to prohibit underarm bowling in future matches. source: en.wikipedia.org
- 02 Feb 1981 Birth of Jason Kapono: Jason Kapono, an American former professional basketball player, was born on February 2, 1981. He is known for his time in the NBA, particularly for his shooting skills and contributions to teams like the Miami Heat and the Los Angeles Lakers. Kapono also had a successful college career at UCLA before entering the NBA. source: basketball-reference.com
- 03 Feb 1981 Australia defeats New Zealand by 6 wickets in 4th Final of 1980–81 World Series Cup: On February 3, 1981, Australia secured a 6-wicket victory over New Zealand in the 4th Final of the Benson & Hedges World Series Cup at the Sydney Cricket Ground. New Zealand batted first, scoring 215/8 in 50 overs, with John Wright contributing 57 runs. Australia chased down the target, reaching 218/4 in 47.4 overs, led by Greg Chappell's 87 runs. This win clinched the series for Australia with a 3–1 final score. source: espncricinfo.com
- 04 Feb 1981 U.S. Congressman Jon Hinson arrested on sodomy charge: On February 4, 1981, U.S. Representative Jon Hinson (R-Miss.) was arrested in a public restroom of the Longworth House Office Building and charged with attempted sodomy after engaging in sexual activity with a male Library of Congress employee. At that time, such acts were criminal offenses, and Hinson faced a felony charge that could have resulted in up to ten years in prison and fines up to $10,000. The U.S. Attorney's office later reduced the charge to a misdemeanor, and Hinson pleaded not guilty, leading to a trial scheduled for May 4, 1981. He resigned from Congress on April 13, 1981, amid the scandal. source: washingtonpost.com
- 05 Feb 1981 Robert Garwood convicted of collaborating with the enemy: On February 5, 1981, Marine Pfc. Robert Garwood was convicted by a military jury of collaborating with the enemy during his captivity in North Vietnam. The jury, composed of five Marine Corps officers, found Garwood guilty of communicating with the enemy and assaulting a fellow prisoner of war. He was sentenced to a dishonorable discharge, reduction to the lowest rank, and forfeiture of all pay and allowances, but was not sentenced to confinement. Garwood's conviction was upheld on appeal. source: washingtonpost.com
- 06 Feb 1981 Beatles members record Lennon tribute: On February 6, 1981, George Harrison, Paul McCartney, and Ringo Starr gathered at Harrison's Friar Park Studio to record "All Those Years Ago," a tribute to John Lennon, who had been murdered the previous year. This marked the first time all three surviving Beatles recorded together since 1970's "I Me Mine," and their last collaboration until "Free as a Bird" in 1995. The track also featured backing vocals from McCartney's wife, Linda, and their Wings bandmate Denny Laine. source: wwcfradio.org
- 07 Feb 1981 Soviet Pacific Fleet leadership killed in Tu-104 crash near Leningrad: On February 7, 1981, a Tupolev Tu-104A aircraft carrying 50 people, including 28 high-ranking Soviet military personnel, crashed shortly after takeoff from Pushkin Airport near Leningrad. All aboard perished, including Admiral Emil Spiridonov, commander of the Pacific Fleet, and his wife. The crash resulted in the loss of 16 admirals and generals, effectively decimating the Pacific Fleet's leadership. The official investigation cited improper cargo loading as the cause of the accident. source: washingtonpost.com
- 08 Feb 1981 IBM launches the personal computer: On February 8, 1981, IBM introduced its first personal computer, the IBM PC, which revolutionized the computing industry. This launch marked a significant shift towards personal computing, making technology more accessible to individuals and small businesses. The IBM PC set standards for hardware and software that are still influential today. source: britannica.com
- 09 Feb 1981 Venus Circus fire tragedy: On February 9, 1981, a devastating fire broke out at the Venus Circus in Paris, resulting in numerous casualties. The incident highlighted significant safety issues in public venues and led to increased scrutiny of fire regulations in entertainment establishments. source: nytimes.com
- 10 Feb 1981 Fire at Las Vegas Hilton Hotel kills eight and injures over 200: On February 10, 1981, a fire erupted on the eighth floor of the Las Vegas Hilton Hotel, leading to eight fatalities and over 200 injuries. The blaze, which began in an elevator lobby, rapidly spread up the building's exterior, causing significant damage. The incident prompted a reevaluation of fire safety standards in Nevada, resulting in stricter regulations for high-rise buildings. source: clarkcountynv.gov
- 11 Feb 1981 Operator error causes radioactive water leak at Sequoyah Nuclear Plant: On February 11, 1981, an operator error at the Tennessee Valley Authority's Sequoyah Nuclear Plant in Tennessee led to the accidental opening of a valve, releasing approximately 100,000 gallons of slightly radioactive water into the containment building. Fourteen maintenance workers were exposed to the water but were not injured. The reactor was shut down at the time, and the situation was brought under control within 30 minutes. source: washingtonpost.com
- 12 Feb 1981 Admiral Bobby R. Inman appointed Deputy Director of Central Intelligence: On February 12, 1981, Admiral Bobby R. Inman was sworn in as the Deputy Director of Central Intelligence, serving as the principal deputy to the Director of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). Prior to this appointment, Inman served as the Director of the National Security Agency (NSA) from 1977 to 1981. His extensive military career included roles such as Director of Naval Intelligence and Vice Director of the Defense Intelligence Agency. source: cia.gov
- 13 Feb 1981 Rupert Murdoch acquires The Times and Sunday Times: On February 13, 1981, Rupert Murdoch completed the acquisition of The Times and The Sunday Times from the Thomson Corporation. This purchase marked a significant expansion of Murdoch's media empire in the UK, allowing him to influence British journalism and public opinion through these prestigious publications. source: bbc.com
- 14 Feb 1981 Stardust nightclub fire in Dublin: On February 14, 1981, a devastating fire erupted at the Stardust nightclub in Artane, Dublin, Ireland, during a Valentine's Day disco event. The blaze resulted in 48 fatalities and 214 injuries among the 841 attendees. The fire's origin was traced to an electrical fault in a first-floor storeroom containing highly flammable materials, which rapidly spread due to inadequate safety measures, including locked or obstructed emergency exits. In 2024, a fresh inquest concluded that all 48 victims died as a result of unlawful killing, providing long-awaited justice for the victims' families. source: theguardian.com
- 15 Feb 1981 Richard Petty wins his seventh Daytona 500: Richard Petty secured his record-breaking seventh Daytona 500 victory on February 15, 1981, at Daytona International Speedway. In a strategic move, Petty's crew chief, Dale Inman, opted for a fuel-only pit stop with 25 laps remaining, allowing Petty to leap from fourth to first place. Despite running on worn tires, Petty held off Bobby Allison to win by 3.5 seconds. source: washingtonpost.com
- 16 Feb 1981 Explosion at Karachi stadium before Pope's mass: On February 16, 1981, a bomb exploded at Karachi's National Stadium shortly before Pope John Paul II was scheduled to celebrate mass. The blast killed the man carrying the device and injured several others. The explosion occurred about 15 minutes before the pope's arrival, causing panic among the crowd of over 70,000 people. The Vatican did not confirm reports of the blast, and it was unclear whether the pope was informed before starting the mass. source: digital.bentley.umich.edu
- 17 Feb 1981 Reagan issues Executive Order 12291 on federal regulation: On February 17, 1981, President Ronald Reagan signed Executive Order 12291, titled "Federal Regulation," aiming to reduce regulatory burdens, enhance agency accountability, and provide presidential oversight of the regulatory process. The order mandated that agencies conduct cost-benefit analyses for major regulations and established the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) within the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to oversee this process. source: reaganlibrary.gov
- 18 Feb 1981 Reagan's first budget proposal: On February 18, 1981, President Ronald Reagan addressed a joint session of Congress, presenting his economic recovery plan, which included $41.4 billion in budget cuts and tax reductions. He emphasized the need for substantial cuts in federal spending to address the economic crisis, aiming to reduce the deficit and stimulate economic growth. This proposal marked a significant shift in U.S. fiscal policy, focusing on reducing government expenditures and taxes to combat inflation and unemployment. source: reaganlibrary.gov
- 19 Feb 1981 George Harrison ordered to pay $587,000 for 'subconscious plagiarism' of 'My Sweet Lord': On February 19, 1981, U.S. District Judge Richard Owen ruled that George Harrison must pay $587,000 in damages for 'subconsciously' plagiarizing The Chiffons' 1963 song 'He's So Fine' in his 1970 hit 'My Sweet Lord'. The court found that Harrison's song was similar to 'He's So Fine', constituting copyright infringement. The damages were reduced from the original $1.6 million due to Allen Klein's breach of fiduciary duty in acquiring the rights to 'He's So Fine'. source: upi.com
- 20 Feb 1981 James Sanford ties 50-meter indoor world record in San Diego: On February 20, 1981, American sprinter James Sanford matched the 50-meter indoor world record by completing the distance in 5.61 seconds during a race in San Diego. This performance equaled the existing world record at that time. source: upi.com
- 21 Feb 1981 NASA launches Comstar D-4 satellite: On February 21, 1981, NASA successfully launched the Comstar D-4 satellite, which was part of a series of communications satellites. This launch contributed to advancements in satellite technology and telecommunications. source: nasa.gov
- 22 Feb 1981 Amy Alcott wins Bent Tree Ladies Golf Classic: On February 22, 1981, Amy Alcott secured victory at the Bent Tree Ladies Golf Classic in Sarasota, Florida, finishing with a score of 276 (−12). This win marked her 14th LPGA Tour title. source: en.wikipedia.org
- 23 Feb 1981 Failed coup attempt in Spain on February 23, 1981: On February 23, 1981, a coup attempt occurred in Spain when Lieutenant Colonel Antonio Tejero led a group of armed Civil Guards into the Spanish Parliament, attempting to seize control. The coup ultimately failed due to widespread public opposition and the decisive stance taken by King Juan Carlos I, who reaffirmed his commitment to democracy. This event is often referred to as 23-F and marked a significant moment in Spain's transition to democracy after Franco's dictatorship. source: bbc.com
- 24 Feb 1981 Jean Harris convicted of second-degree murder in Dr. Herman Tarnower's death: On February 24, 1981, Jean Harris, former headmistress of The Madeira School, was found guilty of second-degree murder for the shooting death of her lover, Dr. Herman Tarnower, a renowned cardiologist and author of 'The Complete Scarsdale Medical Diet.' The incident occurred on March 10, 1980, at Tarnower's home in Purchase, New York. Harris was sentenced to 15 years to life in prison on March 20, 1981. source: washingtonpost.com
- 25 Feb 1981 Leopoldo Calvo-Sotelo confirmed as Spain's Prime Minister after failed coup attempt: On February 25, 1981, Leopoldo Calvo-Sotelo was confirmed as Spain's Prime Minister by the Congress of Deputies, following the failed coup attempt on February 23. Despite the interruption of the investiture session by the coup, a second vote was held, resulting in Calvo-Sotelo's confirmation with 186 votes in favor and 158 against, securing an absolute majority. His appointment marked a significant moment in Spain's transition to democracy. source: washingtonpost.com
- 26 Feb 1981 French TGV sets speed record: On February 26, 1981, the French TGV Sud-Est trainset number 16 achieved a world rail speed record of 380 km/h (236 mph) during a test run along the future Paris-Lyon high-speed line. This milestone demonstrated the TGV's potential for high-speed travel, with commercial service commencing later that year. source: theguardian.com
- 27 Feb 1981 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 1981 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