Abram H Dailey

The year 1981 in the United States was marked by significant political transitions, most notably the inauguration of Ronald Reagan as the 40th president on January 20th, which coincided with the release of American hostages held in Iran, ending a 14-month crisis. The year saw major developments in technology and media, with the launch of MTV and the release of the first IBM PC. Culturally, 1981 featured major film releases like "Raiders of the Lost Ark," the historic marriage of Luke and Laura on "General Hospital," and the continuation of the early 1980s recession.

Key events included the Space Shuttle Columbia's inaugural mission, the appointment of Sandra Day O'Connor as the first female Supreme Court justice, and the first recognized cases of AIDS reported by the CDC. The year also saw tragic incidents such as the Hyatt Regency walkway collapse and the Atlanta child murders investigation. In international affairs, negotiations for nuclear weapon reductions began between the US and the Soviet Union, while the Iran-Contra scandal began to take shape with a secret directive.