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

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

01 May 1981 American Airlines launches AAdvantage frequent flyer program: American Airlines introduced the AAdvantage program on May 1, 1981, marking the first frequent flyer program in the airline industry. This innovative program allowed passengers to earn miles for flights, which could be redeemed for free flights and other rewards, revolutionizing airline loyalty programs. AAdvantage set a precedent that many other airlines would follow in the years to come. source: nytimes.com
02 May 1981 Hijacking of Aer Lingus Flight 164 by Laurence James Downey: On May 2, 1981, Aer Lingus Flight 164, a Boeing 737 en route from Dublin to London, was hijacked by 55-year-old Australian Laurence James Downey. Shortly before landing at Heathrow, Downey doused himself in petrol and entered the cockpit, demanding the plane be diverted to Le Touquet, France, and then to Tehran, Iran. After an eight-hour standoff, French special forces stormed the aircraft, capturing Downey without injury. He was later sentenced to five years in prison for air piracy. source: independent.ie
03 May 1981 Sally Little wins LPGA CPC Women's International: On May 3, 1981, Sally Little secured her second Women's International golf tournament victory by sinking a seven-foot birdie putt on the first hole of sudden death, edging out Kathy Whitworth and defending champion Hollis Stacy. This win marked her third LPGA Tour victory of the year. source: upi.com
04 May 1981 Ron Davis strikes out eight consecutive batters in Yankees' 4-2 win over Angels: On May 4, 1981, New York Yankees relief pitcher Ron Davis tied the American League record by striking out eight consecutive batters in a 4-2 victory over the California Angels at Anaheim Stadium. Davis's performance matched Nolan Ryan's league record for consecutive strikeouts and set a major league mark for relief pitchers, surpassing Denny McLain's previous record of seven consecutive strikeouts. source: washingtonpost.com
05 May 1981 Craig David birth: Craig David, the British singer-songwriter known for his hit songs in the early 2000s, was born on May 5, 1981. He gained fame with his debut album 'Born to Do It' and has since become a prominent figure in the music industry. source: britannica.com
06 May 1981 Maurice Papon's Nazi collaboration exposed: On May 6, 1981, the French satirical weekly 'Le Canard Enchaîné' published an article revealing that Maurice Papon, then Budget Minister under President Valéry Giscard d'Estaing, had ordered the deportation of 1,690 Jews from Bordeaux to Nazi death camps during World War II. The article included documents signed by Papon, implicating him in these actions. This revelation led to legal proceedings, culminating in Papon's 1998 conviction for complicity in crimes against humanity. source: theguardian.com
07 May 1981 Labour Party wins Greater London Council election: In the 1981 Greater London Council election held on May 7, the Labour Party secured 50 seats, gaining 22 seats from the previous election. The Conservative Party won 41 seats, a loss of 23 seats. The Liberal Party retained 1 seat. This was the final GLC election before its abolition in 1986. source: en.wikipedia.org
08 May 1981 Maurice Fernandes, West Indies cricket captain, dies at 83: Maurice Fernandes, a pioneering West Indian Test cricketer and captain, passed away on May 8, 1981, in Georgetown, Guyana, at the age of 83. He led the West Indies to their first Test victory against England in 1930 and had a notable first-class cricket career with British Guiana. source: en.wikipedia.org
09 May 1981 Nepal holds first direct elections in 22 years: On May 9, 1981, Nepal conducted its first direct general elections in 22 years, electing members to the Rastriya Panchayat. The elections were held under the existing partyless Panchayat system, with all candidates running as independents. Major opposition parties, including the Nepali Congress and various communist factions, boycotted the elections, leading to a voter turnout of approximately 52.2%. source: upi.com
10 May 1981 Italian referendum on abortion law held on May 10, 1981: On May 10, 1981, Italy held a referendum to decide whether to repeal Law 194, which legalized abortion. The law was upheld, with approximately 68% of voters choosing to maintain it, reflecting a significant public support for reproductive rights in Italy. This referendum was a pivotal moment in the country's social and political landscape regarding women's rights. source: bbc.com
11 May 1981 Bob Marley passes away, marking the end of a musical legend: Bob Marley, the iconic Jamaican reggae musician, passed away on May 11, 1981, at the age of 36. His music and message of peace, love, and social justice have left a lasting impact on the world, influencing countless artists and movements. Marley's legacy continues to resonate, making him one of the most celebrated figures in music history. source: britannica.com
12 May 1981 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
13 May 1981 Assassination attempt on Pope John Paul II: On May 13, 1981, Pope John Paul II was shot and critically wounded in St. Peter's Square by Mehmet Ali Ağca, a Turkish gunman and member of the Grey Wolves. Ağca fired four shots, two of which struck the Pope in the abdomen and left hand. He was immediately apprehended and later sentenced to life imprisonment. The Pope survived after extensive surgery and forgave his assailant, visiting him in prison in 1983. source: history.com
14 May 1981 Express train collision in South Korea kills at least 53: On May 14, 1981, an express train collided with the rear of another passenger train near Kyongsan, South Korea, resulting in at least 53 fatalities and 233 injuries. The accident occurred when the first train backed up after striking a stalled motorcycle, and the second train, unable to stop in time due to a blind curve, crashed into it. This incident marked South Korea's second-worst rail disaster at the time. source: upi.com
15 May 1981 George Harrison releases single 'All Those Years Ago': On May 15, 1981, George Harrison released the single 'All Those Years Ago,' which was a tribute to his former bandmate John Lennon following his assassination. The song features contributions from Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr, making it a significant collaboration among the surviving Beatles. It reached the top of the charts in several countries, reflecting Harrison's enduring influence in music. source: bbc.com
16 May 1981 Pleasant Colony wins 106th Preakness Stakes: On May 16, 1981, Pleasant Colony, ridden by Jorge Velásquez, secured victory in the 106th Preakness Stakes at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Maryland. The race was run on a fast track, with Pleasant Colony finishing one length ahead of runner-up Bold Ego in a time of 1:54-3/5. The event attracted a crowd of 84,133 spectators. source: en.wikipedia.org
17 May 1981 Kathy Whitworth wins Coca-Cola Classic golf tournament: On May 17, 1981, Kathy Whitworth secured victory at the Coca-Cola Classic in Paramus, New Jersey, finishing with a score of 211 (−8) after a playoff against Alice Ritzman. This win marked her 81st career LPGA Tour title. source: en.wikipedia.org
18 May 1981 Adam & The Ants' 'Stand and Deliver' dominates UK charts: On May 18, 1981, Adam & The Ants' single 'Stand and Deliver' reached number one on the UK Singles Chart. The song became a defining hit for the band and is remembered as a classic of the new wave era. source: bbc.com
19 May 1981 George Harrison releases 'All Those Years Ago': On May 19, 1981, George Harrison released the single 'All Those Years Ago,' which served as a tribute to his former bandmate John Lennon following his assassination. The song features contributions from Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr, making it a significant collaboration among the surviving Beatles. The track reflects on their shared history and Lennon's impact on music and culture. source: rollingstone.com
20 May 1981 Birth of Iker Casillas, Spanish footballer: Iker Casillas, a renowned Spanish footballer and goalkeeper, was born on May 20, 1981, in Móstoles, Spain. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest goalkeepers in football history, having achieved significant success with both his club, Real Madrid, and the Spanish national team, including winning the FIFA World Cup in 2010. source: britannica.com
21 May 1981 Bob Marley receives state funeral in Jamaica: On May 21, 1981, reggae legend Bob Marley was given a state funeral in Jamaica, blending Ethiopian Orthodox and Rastafarian traditions. The ceremony was attended by Prime Minister Edward Seaga, who delivered the eulogy, and thousands of fans. Marley's casket, adorned with his red Gibson Les Paul guitar, a Bible opened to Psalm 23, and a stalk of cannabis, was interred in a chapel near his birthplace in Nine Mile. source: theguardian.com
22 May 1981 Wayne Williams questioned in Atlanta Child Murders investigation: On May 22, 1981, during a stakeout of the Chattahoochee River, police heard a splash and stopped Wayne Williams, a 23-year-old freelance photographer, driving a white station wagon. He claimed to be searching for an address related to a singer named Cheryl Johnson. Two days later, the body of Nathaniel Cater was found downstream. Williams was arrested on June 21, 1981, and convicted of two murders in 1982. source: fbi.gov
23 May 1981 NASA launches Intelsat V F-1 communications satellite: On May 23, 1981, NASA successfully launched the Intelsat V F-1 communications satellite, also known as Intelsat 501, into geostationary orbit. The satellite, built by Ford Aerospace, was designed to provide enhanced telecommunications capacity for the International Telecommunications Satellite Organization (INTELSAT). It was launched aboard an Atlas SLV-3D Centaur vehicle from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida. source: en.wikipedia.org
24 May 1981 Bobby Unser's 1981 Indianapolis 500 Victory Controversy: Bobby Unser won the 1981 Indianapolis 500, but was initially penalized for passing cars under caution, elevating Mario Andretti to first place. After a lengthy appeal, the penalty was overturned, reinstating Unser as the winner, though he was fined $40,000 for the infraction. source: washingtonpost.com
25 May 1981 Gulf Cooperation Council established: The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) was established on May 25, 1981, to foster economic, political, and security cooperation among its member states: Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. The formation aimed to enhance regional stability and promote collaboration in various sectors, including trade and defense. source: britannica.com
26 May 1981 Italian government resigns amid P2 Masonic scandal: On May 26, 1981, Italian Prime Minister Arnaldo Forlani and his coalition cabinet resigned following revelations that members of the P2 Masonic lodge, including cabinet ministers, were involved in subversive activities. The scandal implicated high-ranking officials and led to the government's collapse. source: news.bbc.co.uk
27 May 1981 Roger Wheeler, Telex Corp. chairman, murdered in Tulsa, Oklahoma: Roger Wheeler, 55, chairman of Telex Corp. and owner of World Jai Alai, was assassinated on May 27, 1981, outside Southern Hills Country Club in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The murder was orchestrated by Boston's Winter Hill Gang, led by James "Whitey" Bulger, due to Wheeler's discovery of embezzlement within his company. Hitman John Martorano carried out the shooting, leading to a complex investigation into organized crime and corruption within the FBI. source: tulsaworld.com
28 May 1981 Death of Cardinal Stefan Wyszyński: Cardinal Stefan Wyszyński, the Primate of Poland and Archbishop of Warsaw and Gniezno, died on May 28, 1981, in Warsaw at the age of 79. He had been battling abdominal cancer for several months prior to his death. His passing was a significant event in Poland, leading to a period of national mourning and a large funeral attended by hundreds of thousands of people. source: washingtonpost.com
30 May 1981 Assassination of Bangladesh President Ziaur Rahman: On May 30, 1981, President Ziaur Rahman was assassinated in Chittagong, Bangladesh, by a group of army officers. The attackers stormed the Circuit House, where Rahman was staying, and killed him along with several aides and bodyguards. The assassination was part of a failed military coup led by General Manzoor Ahmed, who had been recently dismissed as chief of staff. The government, under Vice President Abdus Sattar, swiftly suppressed the rebellion, declared a state of emergency, and maintained control over the country. The assassination led to a period of political instability, culminating in another coup in 1982 that brought General Hussein Muhammad Ershad to power. source: britannica.com
31 May 1981 Burning of Jaffna Public Library: On May 31, 1981, the Jaffna Public Library in Sri Lanka was set ablaze by organized mobs, resulting in the destruction of over 97,000 books and manuscripts. The incident occurred amid escalating ethnic tensions and violence against the Tamil community, leading to widespread condemnation and marking a significant event in Sri Lanka's history. source: en.wikipedia.org