1981 Newspapers

Relive this year in history with an original 1981 newspaper. Historic Newspapers has the largest database of original certified copy newspapers in the world, featuring over 4 million originals from some of America’s longest lasting news outlets such as The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and The Dallas Morning News. The 1980s was the decade that reshaped pop culture. Digitalized music, blockbuster movies, and video games all brought about a drastic change in how people spent their time.

FROM $39.99
1981 Newspapers

1981 Newspaper Headlines Summary

Our collection of 1981 newspaper articles feature some of the most captivating headlines of the year. Such memorable 1981 headlines include Ronald Reagan succeeding Jimmy Carter to become the 40th President, and the death of Bob Marley. These are covered in authentic newspapers chronicling the events as they happened.

It was during this year that Reagan was shot in the chest in an attempted assassination, and MTV was launched on cable television in the United States.One of the most memorable events of this year was the marriage of Lady Diana Spencer to Prince Charles of England, where the whole world tuned in to watch the young couple wed. An authentic 1981 newspaper is a wonderful gift idea for anyone interested in history, or with a particular affinity with the year 1981.

January 19, 1981 
United States and Iranian officials sign an agreement to release the 53 American hostages, after 14 months of captivity.

January 20, 1981
Ronald Reagan succeeds Jimmy Carter as the 40th President. Minutes later, Iran releases the fifty-two Americans who had been held captive for 444 days, ending the Iran hostage crisis.

February 10, 1981 
A fire at the Las Vegas Hilton Hotel-Casino kills 8 people and injures 198.

March 29, 1981
The first London Marathon is held with 7,500 runners.

March 30, 1981
President Ronald Reagan is shot in the chest outside a Washington D.C. hotel by John Hinckley Junior. Two police officers and Press Secretary James Brady are also wounded.

April 18, 1981 
A Minor League Baseball game between the Rochester Red Wings and the Pawtucket Red Sox at McCoy Stadium in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, becomes the longest professional baseball game in history: 8 hours and 25 minutes/33 innings (the 33rd inning is not played until June 23).

May 11, 1981
Bob Marley, Jamaican singer and musician (b. 1945) dies.

May 13, 1981
Pope John Paul II is shot and nearly killed by Mehmet Ali Agca, a Turkish gunman, as he enters St. Peter’s Square in Rome to address a general audience.

May 15, 1981 
Donna Payant is murdered by serial killers Lemuel Smith. This is the first time a female prison officer has been killed on-duty in the United States.

June, 1981 
The United States enters the severe early 1980s recession, exactly a year after the more minor 1980 recession ended. The unemployment rate is 7.2%.

June 13, 1981
At the Trooping the Colour ceremony in London, Marcus Sarjeant fires six blank shots at the Queen of England.

July 9, 1981 
The first release of Donkey Kong and the first debut of Mario.

July 29, 1981
Lady Diana Spencer marries Charles, Prince of Wales.

August 1, 1981 
MTV (Music Television) is launched on cable television in the United States.

August 7, 1981 
The Washington Star
ceases publication after 128 years.

August 10, 1981 
Exactly two weeks after his disappearance, the severed head of 6-year-old Hollywood, Florida native Adam Walsh is found in a canal in Vero Beach, Florida; to this day the rest of the boy’s body has never been recovered.

August 19, 1981 
President Ronald Reagan appoints the first female U.S. Supreme Court Justice, Sandra Day O’Connor.

August 24, 1981
Mark David Chapman is sentenced to twenty years to life in prison, after being convicted of murdering John Lennon in Manhattan eight months earlier.

October 28, 1981
The heavy metal band Metallica forms in Los Angeles.

December 28, 1981 
The first American test-tube baby, Elizabeth Jordan Carr, is born in Norfolk, Virginia.

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ReviewsReviews

Rated 4.5 out of 5

based on 115 reviews

Alexandra Dean November 27 2023

Very great customer service

Gayle DiGangi Jacobs November 19 2023

One of the most original gift ideas given to a birthday boy celebrating his 80th birthday.

Jeff G November 17 2023

Crumbling and expensive. Paid $70 plus for a paper taped back together. Horrible customer serve. At no point do they advertise these papers maybe taped together. Probably because if they did you would not buy it. Deceitful.

  • Historic Newspapers Team November 18 2023

    Thank you for your review.

    We do apologize that you are not happy with the newspaper received.

    We can see that you did contact our Customer Service Team in regards to the item received. It was explained that as you have ordered a 1945 newspaper and therefore 78 years old, unfortunately it will not be received as if you had brought a newspaper today.

    Most of our archived papers are stored in large binders or are already folded, especially the larger broadsheets. As they are genuine originals from that time, they can be fragile therefore we use a special archive tape to reinforce the spine or areas which may deteriorate from excessive use. Some stock we have acquired is stitched into the binders from previous use in places like libraries, universities, private sales etc. Where this is the case, we would have to carefully cut the papers out so we use the tape which is clear and designed so that you can read the paper freely.

    Please accept our apologies for any inconvenienced caused.

    Kindest Regards
    The Historic Newspapers Team

Volha Chuvakin November 11 2023

Bought it for my husband birthday and can't wait to give it. It is beautifully packaged and paper is in amazing condition.

Kirsten Becker October 20 2023

The perfect thoughtful gift!

Evelyn Hart October 18 2023

Product was amazing!! Absolutely treasured experience. Each page was an adventure back in time.

Paula G September 19 2023

Very unique, interesting to see what happens 70 years ago.

Deeanna Franklin Campbell September 19 2023

It was an 80th birthday gift for my dad. He loved it. Wonderful trip down memory lane. The paper is very fragile and turning the dry pages takes great care, but that just helped with the authenticity and magic of the look into the past. Thanks!

Benjamin W August 17 2023

This is a great product and is the perfect gift for a loved one

Kenneth Robinson August 11 2023

For a newspaper that’s 80+ years old and almost perfect, can’t go wrong.