The “Yorkshire Ripper” is caught
Peter Sutcliffe confessed to murdering 13 women and was sentenced to life imprisonment.

66 football fans die in the Ibrox disaster
Over 200 people were injured in the crush, which occurred at the end of an association football game between the Glasgow-based clubs, Rangers, and Celtic, at Ibrox Park.

Ronald Reagan is sworn in as Governor of California
Reagan became the 40th U.S. president in 1981.

Luna 1 is launched
The Soviet spacecraft was the first to reach the vicinity of the moon and orbit the sun.

Urban Le Verrier announces the discovery of the planet Vulcan
Despite a thorough search, the planet was never actually sighted.