What Happened on October 22, 1981

Historical Events

  • Professional Air Traffic Controllers Organization decertified
  • Start of 1st-class game at Newcastle, NSW v Queensland
  • The founding congress of the Nepal Workers and Peasants Organisation faction led by Hareram Sharma and D.P. Singh begins.
  • The TGV railway service Paris-Lyon is inaugurated.
  • The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved aspartame artificial sweetener for tabletop use following years of scrutiny
  • US national debt tops $1 trillion
  • USSR performs underground nuclear test

Famous Birthdays

  • Michael Fishman, American actor (DJ in Roseanne), born in Long Beach, California
  • Olivier Pla, French auto racer (Le Mans Series LMP2 2009; FIA World Endurance C'ship LMP2 2013,14 runner-up; 24 Hours of Le Mans LMP2 2013 runner-up), born in Toulouse, France

Famous Weddings

Michael Crichton

Best-selling author Michael Crichton (39) weds broadcast journalist Suzanne Childs

Famous Deaths

  • Michael Granger, actor (Creature with Atom Brain, Pier 5 Havana), dies
Died in 1981 1981 Highlights

About October 22, 1981

Day of the Week: Thursday
How Long Ago? 42 years, 6 months and 6 days
Leap Year: No

Generation: Millennial
Chinese Zodiac: Rooster
Star Sign: Libra

Music Charts

  • US #1 Song: Arthur's Theme (Best That You Can Do) - Christopher Cross
  • UK #1 Song: It's My Party - Dave Stewart with Barbara Gaskin