What Happened on February 1, 1981

Historical Events

31st All-Star Game

31st NBA All-Star Game, Coliseum at Richfield, OH: East beats West, 123-120; MVP: Nate Archibald, Boston Celtics, PG

The Underarm Bowl

Australian cricket captain Greg Chappell sensationally instructs younger brother Trevor to bowl underarm to Brian McKechnie with NZ needing 6 from last ball to tie 3rd World Series ODI in Melbourne; Australia wins by 6

"Sophisticated Ladies"

Duke Ellington's musical "Sophisticated Ladies" premieres in NYC

  • Dutch Antilles census is 231,932
  • French government accord sends 60 Mirage fighter jets to Iraq
  • NFL Pro Bowl, Aloha Stadium, Honolulu, HI: NFC beats AFC, 21-7; MVP: Eddie Murray, Detroit Lions, PK

Famous Birthdays

  • Graeme Smith, South African cricket batsman, captain & broadcaster (117 Tests, 9,265 runs @ 48.25, 27 x 100s; HS 277, 197 ODIs; Gauteng, Hampshire CCC, Western Province, Surrey CCC), born in Johannesburg, South Africa
  • Luis Lamá, Angolan soccer goalkeeper (56 caps; Petro Luanda), born in Luanda, Angola
  • Rob Austin, British auto racer (British GT Championship - GT4 runner-up 2008), born in Evesham, England

Famous Deaths

Donald Wills Douglas (1892-1981)

American aircraft industrialist (McDonnell Douglas) and aviation pioneer (Douglas DC-3), dies at 88

  • Ernst Pepping, German composer, dies at 79
  • Nils Geirr Tveitt, Norwegian composer, dies at 72
  • Wanda Hendrix, American actress (Sierra, Ride the Pink Horse), dies at 52
Died in 1981 1981 Highlights

About February 1, 1981

Day of the Week: Sunday
How Long Ago? 43 years and 3 months
Leap Year: No

Generation: Millennial
Chinese Zodiac: Monkey
Star Sign: Aquarius

Music Charts

  • US #1 Song: Celebration - Kool & The Gang
  • UK #1 Song: Woman - John Lennon