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Back to 1981

1981 Context: News, Entertainment, Lifestyle

1 / 24The first space shuttle Columbia is launched on April 12. Columbia is the first reusable orbital spacecraft and would be used for 22 space missions.

News

The first space shuttle Columbia is launched on April 12. Columbia is the first reusable orbital spacecraft and would be used for 22 space missions.

2 / 24Pope John Paul ll is shot on May 13th in Vatican City, but survives. The shooter, Mehment Ali Agca is captured and sentenced to life in prison where he later meets with the Pope, who forgives him.

News

Pope John Paul ll is shot on May 13th in Vatican City, but survives. The shooter, Mehment Ali Agca is captured and sentenced to life in prison where he later meets with the Pope, who forgives him.

3 / 24Sandra Day O'Connor is sworn in as the first female US Supreme Court justice. Nominated by President Ronald Reagan, O'Connor would serve until her retirement in 2006.

News

Sandra Day O'Connor is sworn in as the first female US Supreme Court justice. Nominated by President Ronald Reagan, O'Connor would serve until her retirement in 2006.

4 / 24The Royal Wedding of Prince Charles to Lady Diana Spencer is held in July at London's St. Paul's Cathedral. The event is televised and is watched by an audience estimated at 750 million.

News

The Royal Wedding of Prince Charles to Lady Diana Spencer is held in July at London's St. Paul's Cathedral. The event is televised and is watched by an audience estimated at 750 million.

5 / 24Egyptian President Anwar al Sadat is assassinated by Islamic extremists during a military parade in Cairo. Sadat had shared the 1978 Nobel Peace Prize with Israel's Menachim Begin as a result of the Camp David Peace Accords.

News

Egyptian President Anwar al Sadat is assassinated by Islamic extremists during a military parade in Cairo. Sadat had shared the 1978 Nobel Peace Prize with Israel's Menachim Begin as a result of the Camp David Peace Accords.

6 / 24Microsoft founders and childhood friends Paul Allen and Bill Gates pose for a picture after signing a contract with IBM to develop an operating system for IBM's personal computers.

News:

Microsoft founders and childhood friends Paul Allen and Bill Gates pose for a picture after signing a contract with IBM to develop an operating system for IBM's personal computers.

7 / 24The DeLorean DMC-12 is launched in 1981. With it's distinctive gull-wing doors and stainless steel body the car attracted attention, but only about 9,000 were produced before the company ran into financial troubles.

News

The DeLorean DMC-12 is launched in 1981. With it's distinctive gull-wing doors and stainless steel body the car attracted attention, but only about 9,000 were produced before the company ran into financial troubles.

8 / 24Detail from a 1981 Nike sportswear advertisement.

Advertising

Detail from a 1981 Nike sportswear advertisement.

9 / 24Ad for Love's Babysoft women's hygiene products.

Advertising

Ad for Love's Babysoft women's hygiene products.

10 / 24Cover shot from the 1981 Land's End catalog.

Fashion

Cover shot from the 1981 Land's End catalog.

11 / 24Detail from a magazine advertisement for Esprit, a popular 80's fashion and sportswear brand.

Fashion

Detail from a magazine advertisement for Esprit, a popular 80's fashion and sportswear brand.

12 / 24Young women's sportswear from the 1981 Sears Catalog.

Fashion

Young women's sportswear from the 1981 Sears Catalog.

13 / 24Detail from Vogue Magazine fashion shoot featuring model (and later actress) Andi McDowell.

Fashion

Detail from Vogue Magazine fashion shoot featuring model (and later actress) Andi McDowell.

14 / 241981 fashion shoot detail.

Fashion

1981 fashion shoot detail.

15 / 24Ad from 1981 Mademoiselle Magazine.

Fashion

Ad from 1981 Mademoiselle Magazine.

16 / 241981 fashion advertisement for Adolph Schuman.

Fashion

1981 fashion advertisement for Adolph Schuman.

17 / 24Two girls at a 1981 dance.

Lifestyle

Two girls at a 1981 dance.

18 / 24Fresno, California high school students 1981.

Lifestyle

Fresno, California high school students 1981.

19 / 24High school students in Philadelphia, PA.

Lifestyle

High school students in Philadelphia, PA.

20 / 24A couple pose for a photo at 1981 high school dance.

Lifestyle

A couple pose for a photo at 1981 high school dance.

21 / 24The primetime television soap opera Dynasty debuts on ABC in 1981. The show's ensemble cast includes John Forsythe, Linda Evans, Joan Collins and newcomer Heather Locklear among others. The program would air for nine seasons.

Television:

The primetime television soap opera Dynasty debuts on ABC in 1981. The show's ensemble cast includes John Forsythe, Linda Evans, Joan Collins and newcomer Heather Locklear among others. The program would air for nine seasons.

22 / 24The family drama film On Golden Pond starring Henry and Jane Fonda, Katherine Hepburn and Dabney Coleman becomes the second highest grossing movie of 1981 and is nominated for ten Academy Awards.

Movie

The family drama film On Golden Pond starring Henry and Jane Fonda, Katherine Hepburn and Dabney Coleman becomes the second highest grossing movie of 1981 and is nominated for ten Academy Awards.

23 / 24The action-adventure film Raiders Of The Lost Ark, directed by Steven Spielberg, is the highest grossing film of 1981. Starring Harrison Ford and Karen Allen, the film spawns multiple sequels.

Movie

The action-adventure film Raiders Of The Lost Ark, directed by Steven Spielberg, is the highest grossing film of 1981. Starring Harrison Ford and Karen Allen, the film spawns multiple sequels.

24 / 24The police procedural television series Hill Street Blues launches in 1981 and is nominated for eight Emmy Awards. The "hand-held" camera production style and use of close-ups, breaks new ground and influences the look of many subsequent television series.

Television

The police procedural television series Hill Street Blues launches in 1981 and is nominated for eight Emmy Awards. The "hand-held" camera production style and use of close-ups, breaks new ground and influences the look of many subsequent television series.