The 1980s are likely to be remembered as the decade that ushered in a new level of bravery. More people have access to freedoms than ever before, resulting in unprecedented creativity. Despite the vibrant innovations in the fashion and entertainment industries, horrible tragedies occurred in various corners of the globe.
On March 30, 1981, after speaking to the construction and building workers union at the Hilton in Washington, D. C., news of Ronald Reagan’s assassination flooded the radios and televisions. John Hinkley Jr., the assailant, was only ten feet away from the president, brandishing a.22 pistol loaded with exploding rounds. He wasn’t a great shot, and most of the rounds didn’t go off as planned. James Brady, the then-press secretary, a police officer, and a secret service operative are among the casualties. The final bullet struck the presidential limousine and ricocheted into the president’s chest. After doctors determined that Hinkley was clinically crazy, he was released.
In the evening of May 13, two months later, four gunshots rang out as Pope John Paul II’s procession passed through St. Peter’s Square in Rome. One struck the pontiff in the belly, another in the left hand, the third in the breast of 60-year-old Ann Odre of the United States, and the fourth in the arm of Jamaican Rose Hill, 21. The world watched as a team of doctors removed the bullets lodged in the pontiff’s belly and hand, which took more than five hours. Mehmet Ali Agca, a 23-year-old Turk, was the assailant. Two years later, Pope John Paul II paid a visit to Mehmet in prison and gave him forgiveness.
On June 6, when a train crashed into the Baghmati River, religious divisions were the rule of the day. When a cow crossed the tracks, the train’s engineer slammed on the brakes too hard, killing around 600 passengers. Due to torrential rains, the tracks were flooded, and when the brakes were applied, the cars slipped, and seven cars crashed into the Baghmati River’s dark depths. After a day of searching, 286 bodies were discovered, with over 300 still missing. There were an estimated 1000 passengers on board the train.
Despite the horrific events of 1981, Japanese technology, such as Sony’s Walkman, invaded the world. Also, a 12-year-old deconstructed the Rubik’s cube and created a book about how to solve it, which became a best seller.
Continue reading to discover more about the events of 1981.
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![]() (January 08, 1981) |
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(January 20, 1981) |
![]() (January 31, 1981) |
![]() (March 30, 1981) |
![]() (April 12, 1981) |
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(April 27, 1981) |
![]() (May 05, 1981) |
![]() (May 11, 1981) |
![]() (May 13, 1981) |
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(July 29, 1981) |
![]() (August 01, 1981) |
![]() (August 12, 1981) |
![]() (September 21, 1981) |
![]() (November 29, 1981) |
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