Facts and Events That Happened in This Year
Stevie Wonder released 'That Girl,' which went on to win Billboard Song of the Year.
The first American test-tube baby, Elizabeth Jordan Carr, was born in Norfolk, Virginia.
The crew of the Union Star lost their lives along with all eight lifeboat volunteers who tried to save them.
The US gross national debt exceeded $1 trillion.
Belize became a member of the United Nations.
The animated fantasy TV show 'The Smurfs' premiered on NBC.
Mark David Chapman was sentenced to 20 years to life in prison for murdering John Lennon.
The IBM Personal Computer was released.
MTV launched, broadcasting its first music video at 12:01 am.
Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer got married at St. Paul's Cathedral in London.
US President Ronald Reagan was made aware that the USSR was stealing US technology and research.
Nintendo released the Donkey Kong arcade game in Japan.
The Solar Challenger became the first solar-powered airplane to cross the English Channel.
Mark David Chapman pleaded guilty to the murder of John Lennon in New York.
Pope John Paul II was sent to hospital for 55 days after contracting an infection.
The world's first stealth-oriented aircraft, the Lockheed F-117 Nighthawk, took its first flight.
Queen Elizabeth II was shot with six blank rounds by a youth.
Tom Snyder interviewed notorious killer Charles Manson on NBC's Tomorrow Coast to Coast show.
The first Indiana Jones movie, 'Raiders of the Lost Ark' by Steven Spielberg, was released.
Wilfred BenÃtez became the youngest 3-division world champion in history at age 22 after knocking out Maurice Hope in 12 rounds.
Bob Marley received a state funeral in Jamaica.
An assassination attempt was made on Pope John Paul II.
Andrew Lloyd Webber's musical 'Cats,' based on poetry by T. S. Eliot, first premiered in the West End, London.
Thieves stole $3.3 million from the First National Bank of Arizona in Tucson.
The first Space Shuttle mission was launched.
President Ronald Reagan returned home from the hospital after narrowly escaping death after someone shot him on March 30.
The world's first portable computer was announced at the West Coast Computer Faire.
The first Golden Raspberry Awards took place in John Wilson's living room.
Someone tried to shoot President Ronald Reagan.
Ebony and Ivory was recorded by Stevie Wonder & Paul McCartney.
Lady Diana Spencer and Prince Charles announced their engagement at Buckingham Palace.
The iconic DeLorean sports car began production in Northern Ireland.
US hostages were released in Iran after 444 days.
Prolific serial killer Peter Sutcliffe, also known as the 'Yorkshire Ripper,' was arrested in Sheffield, UK.
