A Look Back at the Year 1981

The decade is now underway — but it’s not smooth sailing yet

Photo by Eric Nopanen on Unsplash

It takes a few years for each decade to really find itself. The first half of any decade is as much about the decade prior — and the early 1980s were as much about the late 70s.

That influence from the 1970s has made 1981 a gritty time. The excess and extravagance of the Yuppy era are still a few years off, but this is a look back on notable world events, movies, sports, and pop culture from 1981.

So hop in your Delorean — and let’s do this.

A Few Notable Moments From 1981

I can’t cover everything, but here are a few select things from 1981 that are pretty notable:

• The Iran hostage crisis ends
• The Post-It note was invented
• The AIDS virus was first identified
• Walter Cronkite signed off the evening news for the last time
• Ronald Reagan is shot in the chest in Washington by John Hinckley Jr.
• The average cost of a new home was $78,000, the average monthly rent was $315, and a gallon of gas cost $1.25

The Wedding of the Decade — and Century?