What happened in November 1981?
The top front-page story of each day in November 1981, as it was reported at the time. Click a date to see that day’s full front page and the matching birthday books.
- Nov 1🇦🇬 Antigua Gains Independence – Antigua and Barbuda became independent nations, ending nearly 350 years of British rule on November 1, 1981.
- Nov 2🌊 Hurricane Hits India – At least 470 fishermen are missing as a hurricane strikes the western Indian coast, causing tidal waves and high winds.
- Nov 3🚀 Shuttle Countdown Advances – Astronauts for the space shuttle Columbia's second mission arrived at Cape Canaveral as countdown preparations progressed smoothly.
- Nov 4🚀 Space Shuttle Preparations – The second flight of the shuttle Columbia is set to test the reuse of a spaceship for multiple trips to space.
- Nov 5🚀 Shuttle Launch Delayed – The launch of the space shuttle Columbia has been postponed for a week due to issues with its auxiliary power units.
- Nov 6🔬 Dutch Coalition Takes Power – The three-party coalition in the Netherlands regained power after resolving internal conflicts that led to its resignation.
- Nov 7🌪️ Storm Lashes Bahamas – Tropical Storm Katrina hit the Bahamas after weakening over Cuba, causing two deaths and the evacuation of 150,000 people.
- Nov 8🌍 Strong Quake Jars Chile – A strong earthquake jolted central Chile early today, sending hundreds into the streets in panic. No immediate reports of deaths were available.
- Nov 9🌉 Salvador Bridge Collapse – El Salvador's longest bridge collapsed, submerging its pylons and asphalt surface beneath the Lempa River, impacting transport and economy.
- Nov 10🚀 Space Shuttle Countdown – The space shuttle Columbia is cleared for countdown after resolving previous technical issues, set to launch its second flight on Thursday.
- Nov 11🚀 Countdown for Shuttle – The countdown for the space shuttle Columbia's second flight resumed, with astronauts preparing for launch scheduled for Thursday.
- Nov 12🎈 Balloon Crosses Dateline – The giant helium-filled balloon Double Eagle V crossed the international dateline, nearing the halfway mark of its Pacific flight.
- Nov 13🚀 Columbia Space Shuttle Launch – The space shuttle Columbia successfully launched today, marking a significant moment in America's space exploration efforts.
- Nov 14🔥 Fire Use Discovery – New findings in Kenya suggest the first use of fire by human ancestors occurred nearly a million years earlier than previously estimated.
- Nov 15🚀 Columbia Shuttle Lands – The space shuttle Columbia completed its second flight, returning safely to Earth with valuable scientific data.
- Nov 16🌪️ Crimea Battered by Storm – A hurricane caused significant damage to homes and farms on the Crimean coast, with a cargo ship thrown ashore. No fatalities reported.
- Nov 17💉 Hepatitis B Vaccine Approved – The FDA approved the first hepatitis B vaccine for use in the U.S., marking a significant advancement in public health.
- Nov 18🏗️ Building Collapse Kills Eight – A building under construction in Manila collapsed, resulting in eight deaths and 36 injuries among workers.
- Nov 19📡 RCA Satellite Launch – RCA Satcom III-R, a commercial communications satellite, is set for launch aboard a Delta rocket, replacing a lost satellite.
- Nov 20📈 U.S. Steel Acquires Marathon – U.S. Steel Corporation agrees to acquire Marathon Oil for $6.3 billion, a significant move in the steel and oil industries.
- Nov 21🔬 Interferon Tested on Sclerosis – A year-long study shows interferon may effectively treat multiple sclerosis, with further tests planned for pinkeye.
- Nov 22🌋 Japanese Volcano Erupts – Minami-dake on Sakura-jima Island erupted, sending ash 8,000 feet high. No major damage or casualties reported.
- Nov 23🎬 Columbia to Distribute 'Gandhi' – Columbia Pictures has secured worldwide distribution rights for Richard Attenborough's film 'Gandhi', a $22 million biography of the Indian leader.
- Nov 24🌪️ Typhoon Nears Philippines – The strongest typhoon in over a decade, named Irma, began impacting the Philippines with winds up to 130 mph, expected to cross the area soon.
- Nov 25🔬 Holography Anniversary – The Museum of Holography will celebrate its fifth anniversary on Dec. 10 with the opening of ''Light Years IV,'' showcasing new acquisitions.
- Nov 26🚀 Space Shuttle Returns – The Columbia landed at Kennedy Space Center after its second flight, drawing a crowd of 9,000 spectators.
- Nov 27🌊 Philippine Typhoon Deaths – The death toll from a typhoon in the northern Philippines has surpassed 200, with significant destruction reported in coastal villages.
- Nov 28🏛️ Oldest Shrine Discovered – Scientists found the earliest intact religious sanctuary from the early Stone Age in northern Spain, near Santander.
- Nov 29🏛️ 200,000 Join Protest – Nearly 200,000 people marched in Florence demanding nuclear disarmament and concrete actions for world peace.
- Nov 30🏔️ Snowfall Assures Skiing – Heavy snowfall in the Savoy Alps ensures that the World Cup skiing events will proceed as scheduled, boosting excitement for winter sports.
Happy Birthday! 1981 – The Year in Headlines
The whole of 1981 in real headlines. See the 1981 book →
Born in November? Pick the day
Every birthday in November has its own On This Day in Headlines book: