Historical Events
- "Shakespeare's Cabaret" opens at Bijou Theater New York City for 54 performances
- Bernhard Goetz is assaulted for 1st time on a New York City subway train
- Norman Stronge and his son James (both former Ulster Unionist Members of Parliament) are assassinated by the Irish Republican Army at their home Tynan Abbey, which is then burnt down
Famous Birthdays
- Andy Lee [Lee Sun-ho], Korean K-pop singer (Shinhwa), and actor, born in Seoul, South Korea
- Dany Heatley, Canadian ice hockey player
- Gillian Chung [Yan-tung], Hong Kong Canto-pop singer (Twins), and actress (Beyond Our Ken), born in British Hong Kong
- Ivan Ergić, Serbian footballer
- Izabella Miko, Polish-born actress and model
- Jamie Dalrymple, English cricketer
Famous Deaths
- Allyn Joslyn, American actor (They Won't Forget; Cafe Society), dies at 79
- James Stronge former Ulster Unionist Member of Parliament, assassinated by IRA, alongside his father Norman
- Norman Stronge, former Ulster Unionist Member of Parliament, assassinated by IRA alongside son James
Died in 1981 1981 Highlights
About January 21, 1981
Day of the Week: Wednesday
How Long Ago? 43 years, 3 months and 15 days
Leap Year: No
Generation: Millennial
Chinese Zodiac: Monkey
Star Sign: Aquarius
Music Charts
#1 Song: (Just Like) Starting Over - John Lennon
#1 Song: Imagine - John Lennon
