The world in
What happened in 1981?
23 events across 9 world regions, each with its sources.
Central & South America
- El Mozote Massacre
On 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.
SourcesWikipedia ↗
- Nicaraguan Revolution
The 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.
SourcesWikipedia ↗
- Establishment of Lençóis Maranhenses National Park
Lençóis 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.
- Establishment of Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu
The 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.
- Establishment of Palenque National Park
Palenque 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 established
In 1981, the Brazilian government established Anavilhanas National Park in Amazonas to protect the vast river archipelago on the Rio Negro and its ecosystems.
SourcesWikipedia ↗
Europe
- Cold War
After 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 ↗
- Signing of the Treaty on the Creation of the USSR
On 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.
SourcesWikipedia ↗
- Establishment of Stara Reka Nature Reserve
Stara 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.
SourcesWikipedia ↗
- Opening of the Humber Bridge
On 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.
SourcesWikipedia ↗
South Asia
- Soviet Invasion of Afghanistan
In 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.
SourcesWikipedia ↗
- Outbreak of the Cambodian–Vietnamese War
In 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.
SourcesWikipedia ↗
- Establishment of Thap Lan National Park
Thap 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.
SourcesWikipedia ↗
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 War
In 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 ↗
- 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 Macau
The University of Macau originated as the private University of East Asia, established in March 1981.
SourcesWikipedia ↗
North Africa
- Outbreak of the Western Sahara War
In 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.
SourcesWikipedia ↗
- Establishment of Garajonay National Park
Garajonay 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.
West Asia
- Iran–Iraq War begins
In 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 ↗
Oceania
- Inscription of the Willandra Lakes Region as a World Heritage Site
In 1981, the Willandra Lakes Region in New South Wales, Australia, was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. The area is notable for preserving a rare Pleistocene stratigraphic sequence and evidence of early human activity, including tools used by ancient hominins discovered in 1969. The region is a traditional meeting place for the Muthi Muthi, Ngiyampaa and Paakantyi Aboriginal peoples.
North America
- Completion of the White House
The White House, the official residence and workplace of the U.S. president, was completed in the new capital of Washington, D.C. at the end of the 18th century. Since 1800, beginning with President John Adams, every U.S. president has lived and worked there, marking the establishment of the presidential mansion.
SourcesWikipedia ↗
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
- 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'
- Establishment of the Ancient Building Complex in the Wudang Mountains