Major Events of March 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 March 1981 and discover how they influenced the world both then and now.

Major Events of March 1981: Key Historical Moments from the Month

01 Mar 1981 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
02 Mar 1981 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
03 Mar 1981 Lil' Flip's birth date confirmed: Lil' Flip, the American rapper known for his hit songs in the early 2000s, was born on March 3, 1981. He gained fame with tracks like 'The Way We Ball' and has been influential in the Southern hip-hop scene. His contributions to music have made him a notable figure in the genre. source: britannica.com
04 Mar 1981 Carol Banawa: Filipino pop singer emerges: Carol Banawa, born on March 4, 1981, in Pasay, Philippines, is a renowned singer-songwriter and actress. She began her career in the entertainment industry at a young age, gaining prominence through her participation in the children's show 'Ang TV' in 1994. Over the years, she has released multiple albums and singles, earning her a significant place in the Philippine music scene.
05 Mar 1981 Launch of the ZX81 home computer: The ZX81, a home computer developed by Sinclair Research, was launched on March 5, 1981. It was notable for its affordability and compact design, making computing accessible to a wider audience. The ZX81 became one of the best-selling home computers of its time, influencing the personal computing revolution in the UK. source: bbc.co.uk
06 Mar 1981 Reagan announces permanent federal hiring freeze and job cuts: On March 6, 1981, President Ronald Reagan declared a permanent freeze on hiring federal civilian employees, aiming to reduce the federal workforce by nearly 33,000 in fiscal year 1982 and an additional 63,000 in fiscal year 1983. This initiative was part of a broader effort to control federal spending and address the national budget deficit. source: reaganlibrary.gov
07 Mar 1981 First homicide at Disneyland Park: On March 7, 1981, 18-year-old Mel C. Yorba was fatally stabbed by 28-year-old James O'Driscoll during a private party at Disneyland's Tomorrowland. The altercation began when O'Driscoll's girlfriend accused Yorba of pinching her, leading to a confrontation near the Submarine Voyage ride. Yorba was transported to Palm Harbor Hospital but succumbed to his injuries. O'Driscoll was later convicted of second-degree murder and sentenced to 16 years in prison. source: sfgate.com
08 Mar 1981 Radioactive wastewater spill at Tsuruga Nuclear Power Plant: On March 8, 1981, a radioactive wastewater spill occurred at the Tsuruga Nuclear Power Plant in Japan. A worker left a critical valve open, causing a radioactive sludge tank to overflow. Despite efforts to contain the spill, approximately 16 tons of radioactive waste were released into Wakasa Bay. The Japan Atomic Power Company initially failed to inform the public, leading to contamination of local seafood and public concern. The company later admitted the incident and faced criticism for the delay in disclosure. source: history.com
09 Mar 1981 First successful human heart-lung transplant performed at Stanford Medical Center: On March 9, 1981, Dr. Bruce Reitz and his team at Stanford Medical Center conducted the first successful combined heart-lung transplant. The recipient, Mary Gohlke, a 45-year-old woman with primary pulmonary hypertension, survived for five years post-surgery. This milestone was achieved through the use of cyclosporine, an immunosuppressive drug that reduced organ rejection. source: med.stanford.edu
10 Mar 1981 UK budget increases taxes during economic downturn: On March 10, 1981, Chancellor of the Exchequer Geoffrey Howe presented a budget that raised taxes to address the UK's economic challenges. Measures included a 20% tax on North Sea oil, a 2.5% levy on certain bank deposits, and significant increases in excise duties on petrol, cigarettes, beer, spirits, and wine. Additionally, personal income tax allowances were not adjusted for inflation, effectively raising taxes for individuals. These actions aimed to reduce inflation and the budget deficit but faced criticism for potentially worsening the recession and increasing unemployment. source: washingtonpost.com
11 Mar 1981 Pinochet inaugurated for extended military rule in Chile: On March 11, 1981, General Augusto Pinochet was inaugurated for an additional eight-year term as President of Chile, following the enactment of a new constitution. This constitution, approved in a 1980 referendum, extended his military rule until 1989, despite ongoing opposition and human rights concerns. source: upi.com
12 Mar 1981 Soyuz T-4 mission to Salyut 6 space station: On March 12, 1981, the Soviet Union launched Soyuz T-4, carrying cosmonauts Vladimir Kovalyonok and Viktor Savinykh to the Salyut 6 space station. They docked on March 13, 1981, and spent 74 days conducting experiments and maintenance before returning to Earth on May 26, 1981. source: britannica.com
13 Mar 1981 Assassination attempt on Pope John Paul II: On May 13, 1981, Pope John Paul II was shot and seriously wounded by Mehmet Ali Ağca in St. Peter's Square, Vatican City. The assassination attempt occurred during a public audience, and the Pope was hit by four bullets but survived after extensive medical treatment. This event had significant implications for the Catholic Church and international relations, particularly in the context of the Cold War. source: britannica.com
14 Mar 1981 March 14, 1981: Three major upsets in NCAA basketball tournament: On March 14, 1981, the NCAA basketball tournament witnessed three significant upsets, each decided by last-second plays. St. Joseph's defeated top-seeded DePaul 49-48, Arkansas edged defending champion Louisville 74-73 with a buzzer-beating half-court shot by U.S. Reed, and Kansas State overcame Oregon State 50-48 with a game-winning shot by Rolando Blackman. source: si.com
15 Mar 1981 Pakistani jet hostages released after 13-day hijacking: On March 15, 1981, the 13-day hijacking of Pakistan International Airlines Flight 326 ended peacefully in Damascus, Syria. The hijackers, members of the Al-Zulfiqar group led by Murtaza Bhutto, had diverted the flight from Karachi to Kabul and then to Damascus, demanding the release of 54 political prisoners. The Pakistani government agreed to their demands, leading to the release of all 147 hostages. source: news.bbc.co.uk
16 Mar 1981 Yarbrough & Peoples' "Don't Stop the Music" tops R&B charts: On March 16, 1981, Yarbrough & Peoples' single "Don't Stop the Music" reached number one on the Billboard Hot Soul Singles chart, marking a significant achievement in the duo's career. source: en.wikipedia.org
17 Mar 1981 Police uncover list of 962 members of secret Masonic lodge in Italy: On March 17, 1981, Italian police raided the villa of financier Licio Gelli in Arezzo, discovering a list of 962 individuals associated with the clandestine Masonic lodge Propaganda Due (P2). The list included prominent figures from politics, the military, and business, leading to a major political scandal and the eventual resignation of Prime Minister Arnaldo Forlani. source: washingtonpost.com
18 Mar 1981 Jang Nara: South Korean actress and singer: Jang Nara, born on March 18, 1981, in Seoul, South Korea, is a renowned actress and singer. She gained prominence with her 2002 studio album "Sweet Dream" and has starred in various television series, including "Successful Story of a Bright Girl" (2002) and "The Last Empress" (2018–2019). source: en.wikipedia.org
19 Mar 1981 Space Shuttle Columbia accident during ground test: On March 19, 1981, during preparations for the Space Shuttle Columbia's first operational mission (STS-1), five technicians were asphyxiated in the orbiter's nitrogen-purged aft engine compartment. Two of them died: John Bjornstad at the scene and Forrest Cole two weeks later. The accident was caused by a change in testing procedures and communication breakdowns, leading to the first fatalities in the U.S. space program since 1967. source: wired.com
20 Mar 1981 Jean Harris sentenced to 15 years for murder of Dr. Herman Tarnower: On March 20, 1981, Jean Harris, former headmistress of the Madeira School, was sentenced to 15 years to life in prison for the second-degree murder of her lover, Dr. Herman Tarnower, a renowned cardiologist and author of 'The Complete Scarsdale Medical Diet.' Harris had been convicted on February 24, 1981, after a 14-week trial where she claimed the shooting was accidental during a struggle over the gun. The case garnered significant media attention and public interest. source: washingtonpost.com
21 Mar 1981 Mike Hailwood and daughter killed in car accident: On March 21, 1981, British racing legend Mike Hailwood and his nine-year-old daughter, Michelle, were involved in a fatal car accident in Tanworth-in-Arden, Warwickshire. While returning from a fish and chips shop, their car collided with a truck making an illegal U-turn; Michelle was killed instantly, and Mike died two days later from severe internal injuries. His son, David, survived with minor injuries. source: telegraph.co.uk
22 Mar 1981 Soyuz 39 mission: The Soyuz 39 mission was a Soviet crewed spaceflight launched on March 22, 1981, carrying cosmonauts Vladimir Dzhanibekov and Jügderdemidiin Gürragchaa to the Salyut 6 space station. This mission marked the first Mongolian in space and involved conducting various scientific experiments during their 7-day stay. The crew returned to Earth on March 30, 1981. source: britannica.com
23 Mar 1981 H.L. v. Matheson: Supreme Court upholds parental notification for minors seeking abortion: In H.L. v. Matheson, the U.S. Supreme Court upheld a Utah law requiring physicians to notify a minor's parents before performing an abortion. The Court emphasized the importance of family integrity and protecting adolescents, stating that parental notification serves significant interests in family guidance and adolescent protection. However, the law did not grant parents veto power over the minor's decision. Justices Marshall, Brennan, and Blackmun dissented. source: washingtonpost.com
24 Mar 1981 Nightline debuts on ABC as a late-night news program: Nightline, a late-night news program, premiered on ABC on March 24, 1981. Originally created to cover the Iran hostage crisis, it has evolved into a platform for in-depth reporting and interviews on various topics. The show has become a staple of American television journalism over the decades. source: abcnews.go.com
25 Mar 1981 Bowers and Ruddy Galleries Auction of Garrett Coin Collection: On March 25-26, 1981, Bowers and Ruddy Galleries conducted the fourth and final auction of the Garrett Collection, a significant assemblage of rare coins from the Johns Hopkins University. This sale featured 1,180 lots, including notable items such as the Brasher Doubloon and various Washington medals. The auction concluded with total sales of $1,589,215. source: pcgs.com
26 Mar 1981 British Social Democratic Party launched: The British Social Democratic Party (SDP) was officially launched on March 26, 1981, by a group of former Labour Party members. The party aimed to provide a centrist alternative to the Labour and Conservative parties, focusing on social democracy and liberal policies. The SDP later formed an alliance with the Liberal Party, which significantly influenced British politics during the 1980s. source: bbc.co.uk
27 Mar 1981 Massive Solidarity Movement Strike in Poland: On March 27, 1981, Poland's Solidarity movement organized a four-hour nationwide warning strike in response to the Bydgoszcz events, where several members were beaten by security forces. The strike saw participation from 12 to 14 million Poles, including workers, students, and public servants, marking the largest labor protest in the country's history. This action led to negotiations with the government, resulting in the Warsaw Agreement, which addressed the demands of Solidarity and averted a planned general strike. source: polishhistory.pl
28 Mar 1981 Martina Navratilova defeats Andrea Jaeger in WTA Tour Championships: On March 28, 1981, Martina Navratilova won the singles title at the Avon Championships, defeating Andrea Jaeger 6–3, 7–6^(7–3) in the final. This victory marked Navratilova's fifth singles title of the year and the 50th of her career. source: en.wikipedia.org
29 Mar 1981 First London Marathon held on March 29, 1981: The inaugural London Marathon took place on March 29, 1981, attracting over 7,000 runners. The event has since grown to become one of the largest and most popular marathons in the world, promoting fitness and charity fundraising. The race was won by Dick Beardsley and Inge Simonsen, marking the beginning of a significant annual sporting event in the UK. source: bbc.com
30 Mar 1981 Attempted assassination of Ronald Reagan: On March 30, 1981, U.S. President Ronald Reagan was shot in an assassination attempt by John Hinckley Jr. outside the Washington Hilton Hotel. Reagan was seriously injured but survived the attack, which also injured three others, including a Secret Service agent. The incident raised significant concerns about presidential security and led to changes in protective measures for public officials. source: archives.gov
31 Mar 1981 53rd Academy Awards Ceremony: The 53rd Academy Awards ceremony, honoring films released in 1980, was held on March 31, 1981, at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion in Los Angeles. Originally scheduled for March 30, the event was postponed due to the attempted assassination of President Ronald Reagan. Hosted by Johnny Carson, the ceremony recognized achievements in 20 categories, with "Ordinary People" winning Best Picture and Best Director for Robert Redford. source: oscars.org