What Happened on October 2, 1981

• 17-year-old gelding Behavin Jerry, the oldest winning racehorse in modern times, sets record for most career starts by a thoroughbred, 307
• Ali Chamenei elected president of Iran

• Luke Wilkshire, Australian soccer defender (80 caps; Dynamo Moscow, Bristol City), born in Wollongong, Australia
• Toro [Alvan Guo Yi Jun], Taiwanese pop singer (Energy)

• Fidel LaBarba, American boxer (Olympic gold flyweight 1924; world flyweight title 1927), dies of heart failure at 76
• Harry Golden, Jewish-American journalist and writer (Only in America), dies at 79
• Hazel Scott, Trinidadian singer and pianist, dies at 63

Holidays: Gandhi Jayanti (India)

• #1 Song: Endless Love - Diana Ross & Lionel Richie
• #1 Song: Prince Charming - Adam & The Ants