What happened in September 1981?
The top front-page story of each day in September 1981, as it was reported at the time. Click a date to see that day’s full front page and the matching birthday books.
- Sep 1🚀 Shuttle Rolls to Pad – The space shuttle Columbia was rolled out to its launching pad in preparation for its return to space in October.
- Sep 2🌋 Mount Etna Heating Up – Scientists warn tourists to stay away as Mount Etna emits gases and steam, indicating increased volcanic activity.
- Sep 3👶 Quintuplets Born – A Tokyo woman gave birth to quintuplets, three boys and two girls, all healthy, according to the Japan Red Cross Medical Center.
- Sep 4🌍 Scientists Urge Arms Freeze – Scientists from 39 countries called for a nuclear arms freeze amid rising tensions between superpowers at a global conference.
- Sep 5👑 King of Swaziland Celebrates – The 82-year-old King of Swaziland marked 60 years of reign, blending tribal tradition with modern nationalism.
- Sep 6🏛️ Minoan Highway Found – Archaeological excavations on Crete have uncovered a major highway linking the ancient Minoan city of Phaistos with its southern seaport.
- Sep 7🌋 Mount St. Helens Erupts – Mount St. Helens erupted again, with the lava dome bursting open, prompting geological surveys to monitor the situation closely.
- Sep 8🌋 Mount St. Helens Eruption – Earthquake activity at Mount St. Helens subsided, leading the US Geological Survey to declare the latest eruption over.
- Sep 9🌍 World Swim Mark Set – Ute Geweniger of East Germany broke her world record in the 100-meter breaststroke at the European Swimming Championships.
- Sep 10🌊 160 Beached Whales – At least 160 pilot whales beached themselves in Tasmania, dying despite rescue efforts by volunteers.
- Sep 11🏙️ Chutist Lands Safely – A construction worker parachuted from an airplane and landed safely on the World Trade Center's observation deck, marking a first for the twin towers.
- Sep 12🔬 Artificial Heart Approved – FDA approves a University of Utah proposal to implant an artificial heart in humans, marking a significant medical advancement.
- Sep 13🔬 Nuclear Pact Approved – A U.S. agreement to supply Egypt with nuclear energy materials and technology passed a crucial House subcommittee test, moving closer to Congressional approval.
- Sep 14🏃♂️ Balcha Wins Marathon – Kebede Balcha of Ethiopia won the Montreal International Marathon in a record time of 2 hours 11 minutes 10 seconds.
- Sep 15🔬 Boston Symphony Bequest – The Boston Symphony Orchestra received a $1 million bequest, its largest in history, to establish an endowment for the music director's chair.
- Sep 16🕊️ House Votes King Memorial – The House approved a resolution for a memorial to Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. with a vote of 386 to 16, sending it to the Senate.
- Sep 17🥊 Leonard Defeats Hearns – Sugar Ray Leonard stopped Thomas Hearns in the 14th round, unifying the welterweight title after a dramatic comeback.
- Sep 18🔬 Buddhist Art Exhibition – Treasures of early Buddhist art are displayed at Japan House, showcasing renowned collections from the Ji temple complex.
- Sep 19🏛️ Ancient Aqueduct Found – A 2,000-year-old Roman aqueduct was uncovered during excavation for an auto plant in Italy, set for restoration.
- Sep 20🚚 Truck Crash in Bolivia – An open truck carrying tin miners overturned in southeast Bolivia, resulting in 36 fatalities and serious injuries to three others.
- Sep 21🌍 Nuclear Power Protests – Riot policemen battled thousands of demonstrators outside a nuclear power plant, resulting in 100 injuries over two days of protests.
- Sep 22🛳️ Suez Canal Modernized – The Suez Canal began using a $17 million computer system to replace traditional piloting methods, marking a significant modernization.
- Sep 23🚄 Fastest Train Launch – The world's fastest train debuted in France, reaching speeds of 156 mph on its inaugural run from Paris to Lyons.
- Sep 24🌍 Civilian Assumes Presidency – Antonio Aureliano Chaves became the first civilian to exercise presidential powers in Brazil since the military coup in 1964.
- Sep 25🌪️ Typhoon Devastates Fujian – Typhoon Clara caused severe damage in Fujian Province, China, affecting rice and sugar cane fields, with significant loss of life and property.
- Sep 26⚖️ O'Connor Joins Supreme Court – Sandra Day O'Connor was sworn in as the first female Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court, marking a historic milestone in American history.
- Sep 27📈 Venezuela's Population Rise – Archeological evidence shows a 15-fold population increase in Venezuela's Orinoco Basin from 800 B.C. to A.D. 400, linked to corn cultivation.
- Sep 28🏁 Laffite Wins Grand Prix – Jacques Laffite won the Canadian Grand Prix, moving into third place in the Formula One standings after starting from 10th position.
- Sep 29🌋 Alaska Volcano Erupts – Pavlof volcano in Alaska erupted, sending lava flows and ash into the air. No immediate threat to nearby villages was reported.
- Sep 30🌍 Reagan Addresses IMF – President Reagan urged developing nations at the World Bank meeting to incentivize private enterprise for economic growth.
Happy Birthday! 1981 – The Year in Headlines
The whole of 1981 in real headlines. See the 1981 book →
Born in September? Pick the day
Every birthday in September has its own On This Day in Headlines book: