The world in
What happened in 1981?
25 events across 9 world regions, each with its sources.
Central & South America
El Mozote MassacreOn December 11–12, 1981, the Salvadoran Army's Atlácatl Battalion massacred over 800 civilians, including children, in and around the village of El Mozote, Morazán Department, during the Salvadoran Civil War, marking one of the worst atrocities by the military in the conflict.
Nicaraguan RevolutionThe Nicaraguan Revolution was a revolutionary movement in Nicaragua from 1961 to 1990, led by the Sandinista National Liberation Front, aiming to overthrow the Somoza family dictatorship and, after its success in 1979, to carry out social and economic reforms.
- Establishment of the National Reorganization Process in Argentina
The National Reorganization Process was established in Argentina in 1976, ruling as a military dictatorship until 1983. It seized power through a coup and implemented state terrorism, causing numerous disappearances, deaths, and exiles, marking the last military dictatorship in Argentina's modern history.
SourcesWikipedia ↗
Establishment of Lençóis Maranhenses National ParkLençóis Maranhenses National Park was formally established in Maranhão state, northeastern Brazil, on June 2, 1981. Covering approximately 155,000 hectares, the park encompasses coastal sand dunes and seasonal freshwater lagoons.
SourcesUNESCO World Heritage listing ↗Wikipedia ↗Image: Julius Dadalti / CC BY-SA 4.0 ↗
Establishment of Historic Sanctuary of Machu PicchuThe Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu was established in Peru, covering over 35,000 hectares and encompassing the Machu Picchu archaeological site and the surrounding natural environment on the eastern slope of the Andes and along the Urubamba River.
SourcesUNESCO World Heritage listing ↗Wikipedia ↗Image: © 2004 Guillaume Audureau / CC BY-SA 3.0 ↗
Establishment of Palenque National ParkPalenque National Park was established on July 20, 1981, in the state of Chiapas, Mexico, under the jurisdiction of the state, about 150 kilometers from the capital Tuxtla Gutiérrez and covering approximately 17 square kilometers.
Anavilhanas National Park establishedIn 1981, the Brazilian government established Anavilhanas National Park in Amazonas to protect the vast river archipelago on the Rio Negro and its ecosystems.
SourcesWikipedia ↗Image: Jason Auch from Calgary, Canada / CC BY 2.0 ↗
Europe
Cold WarAfter World War II, the Western Bloc led by the United States and the Eastern Bloc led by the Soviet Union engaged in a nearly half-century-long political, economic, and military confrontation. Although the two superpowers never fought directly, they competed globally through proxy wars, an arms race, and the Space Race. The Cold War began in the late 1940s and ended with the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991.
SourcesWikipedia ↗Image: U.S. Army photo Photo Credit: USAMHI / Public domain ↗
Signing of the Treaty on the Creation of the USSROn December 30, 1922, the Treaty on the Creation of the USSR was signed at the Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow, officially establishing the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics. Plenipotentiary delegates from the Russian, Transcaucasian, Ukrainian, and Byelorussian Soviet republics signed the treaty, along with a declaration serving as its preamble. The treaty legally formalized the political union of the Soviet republics that had existed since 1919, creating a new federal government with centralized functions in Moscow. Legislative power was vested in the Congress of Soviets and the Central Executive Committee, while executive power lay with the Council of People's Commissars.
Establishment of Stara Reka Nature ReserveStara Reka Nature Reserve was established in 1981 in central Bulgaria to protect the unique ecosystems of the Balkan Mountains. Covering an area of about 1975 hectares, it is one of nine nature reserves in the Central Balkan National Park.
Opening of the Humber BridgeOn 24 June 1981, the Humber Bridge opened to traffic near Hull, England, becoming the world's longest single-span suspension bridge at the time. The 2.22-kilometre bridge crosses the Humber estuary, linking East Riding of Yorkshire and Lincolnshire.
South Asia
Soviet Invasion of AfghanistanIn December 1979, the Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan to support the Democratic Republic of Afghanistan against the Afghan mujahideen, who received aid from multiple countries. The war lasted nearly a decade, ending with the Soviet withdrawal in February 1989. American and British support for the mujahideen escalated the Cold War, ending a brief period of relaxed Soviet–US relations.
Outbreak of the Cambodian–Vietnamese WarIn December 1978, Vietnam launched a large-scale invasion of Cambodia, toppling the Khmer Rouge regime, which marked the outbreak of the Cambodian–Vietnamese War. Border clashes had occurred in preceding years. The war was part of the Third Indochina War and intertwined with the Sino-Soviet split in the Cold War.
Establishment of Thap Lan National ParkThap Lan National Park was established on 23 December 1981 in Thailand, becoming the country's 40th national park. Spanning 2,236 km² across Prachinburi, Nakhon Ratchasima, and Buriram provinces in the Sankamphaeng Range, it later formed part of the Dong Phayayen–Khao Yai Forest Complex UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Sub-Saharan Africa
- Adoption of the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights
In 1981, the Organization of African Unity adopted the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights in Nairobi, Kenya, aiming to promote and protect human rights and fundamental freedoms across the African continent. The Charter entered into force in 1986.
SourcesWikipedia ↗
Beginning of the South African Border WarIn 1966, the South African Border War broke out across Namibia, Zambia, and Angola. It was fought between the South African Defence Force and the People's Liberation Army of Namibia, the armed wing of SWAPO. The conflict, closely tied to the Angolan Civil War, became one of Africa's largest wars since World War II.
SourcesWikipedia ↗Image: No machine-readable author provided. Ceresnet assumed (based on copyright claims). / CC BY-SA 2.5 ↗
- Chadian–Libyan War
Between 1978 and 1987, Libya conducted a series of military campaigns in Chad, fighting alongside Libyan allies against the French-backed Chadian government. Libya repeatedly intervened in the Chadian civil war, and France also intervened militarily to support the Chadian government. The conflict ended with the victory of pro-French forces.
SourcesWikipedia ↗
East Asia
- Launch of Reform and Opening-up
After the Third Plenary Session of the 11th Central Committee of the Chinese Communist Party in December 1978, China began implementing a policy centered on economic reform, known as 'reform and opening-up'. Proposed under Deng Xiaoping's leadership, it aimed to introduce market mechanisms and expand foreign economic exchanges.
SourcesWikipedia ↗
Founding of the University of MacauThe University of Macau originated as the private University of East Asia, established in March 1981.
SourcesWikipedia ↗Image: The original uploader was Netsonfong at Chinese Wikipedia . / CC BY-SA 1.0 ↗
North Africa
Outbreak of the Western Sahara WarIn 1975, after Spain withdrew from Western Sahara, Morocco and Mauritania took over administration under the Madrid Accords, leading to armed conflict with the Polisario Front. Morocco organized the Green March, with tens of thousands of citizens and around 20,000 troops entering Western Sahara, meeting resistance from the Polisario Front. Fighting was minor at first but evolved into a prolonged guerrilla war. The Polisario Front fought both Morocco and Mauritania, seeking independence. Mauritania withdrew in 1979, but the war persisted until a 1991 ceasefire.
Establishment of Garajonay National ParkGarajonay National Park, located in the center and north of La Gomera in the Canary Islands (Spain), was established in 1981. Covering approximately 40 km², it extends into all six municipalities of the island. Its creation aimed to protect the island's natural environment and laid the groundwork for its later designation as a World Heritage Site.
SourcesUNESCO World Heritage listing ↗Wikipedia ↗Image: Diego Delso / CC BY-SA 3.0 ↗
North America
The neoliberal turn: The inception of Thatcher and Reagan reformsAround 1981, neoliberal economic reforms initiated by UK Prime Minister Thatcher and US President Reagan began, marking the decline of the postwar Keynesian consensus. The two countries embarked on a global policy shift through welfare cuts, deregulation, and privatization.
SourcesWikipedia ↗Image: This image or media was taken or created by Matt H. Wade . To see his entire portfolio, click here . @ thatmattwade This / CC BY-SA 3.0 ↗
- Presidency of Ronald Reagan (1981‑1989)
Ronald Reagan served as the 40th president of the United States from January 20, 1981 to January 20, 1989. A Republican, he won the 1980 election against incumbent Jimmy Carter and was re-elected in 1984 against Walter Mondale. Constitutionally limited to two terms, Reagan was succeeded by his vice president George H. W. Bush.
SourcesWikipedia ↗
West Asia
Iran–Iraq War beginsIn September 1980, Iraq invaded Iran, igniting the Iran–Iraq War. The eight-year conflict stemmed from long-standing border disputes and Iraqi fears that Iran’s Islamic Revolution might spread to its Shiite population. The war caused hundreds of thousands of deaths, becoming the deadliest conventional war between regular armies of developing countries.
SourcesWikipedia ↗Image: Uploader was gIre_3piCH2005 at fa.wikipedia / Public domain ↗
Oceania
Willandra Lakes Region inscribed as UNESCO World Heritage SiteIn 1981, the Willandra Lakes Region in New South Wales, Australia, was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Spanning approximately 2,400 square kilometres, the area contains Pleistocene-era fossil remains of lakes and sand formations, along with archaeological evidence of human occupation dating back 45,000–60,000 years, making it a unique landmark in the study of human evolution on the Australian continent.
SourcesUNESCO World Heritage listing ↗Wikipedia ↗Image: Public domain ↗
Around 1981
These are known only to the century, not to the year. They are listed separately so a rough date is never mistaken for an exact one.
- Beginning of the Digital Revolution
- Completion of the Taipei Grand Mosque
- Guatemalan Maya genocide
- Establishment of Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park
- Construction of Grimeton Longwave Radio Station
- Construction of the Trans-Iranian Railway begins
- Construction of the 20th-Century Architecture of Frank Lloyd Wright Begins
- Construction of the Historic Monuments of Dengfeng in 'The Centre of Heaven and Earth'