Born in 1981
Turns 45 in 2026
Gifts for someone born in 1981
1981 Front PageTheir name. The news from their year.Unframed from $36.50Add their name
Their birth chartThe sky as astrology reads it, cast for one birth.Unframed from $36.50
The Years We Were BornThe whole family, together in years.Unframed from $36.50
Our Story timelineTheir life, told in your words.Unframed from $36.50
Front Page: Canada edition. The year is filled in; add their name in the editor. “Your name” is a placeholder. Light news is selected. A new keepsake, not an original newspaper.
BACK TO 1981 · Canada
A little history to go with their gift.
The first Space Shuttle mission showed reusable spaceflight in operation, while MTV began broadcasting and placed music videos at the centre of a new television format. Raiders of the Lost Ark brought fast-paced adventure to cinemas. The year joined new ways to explore, watch and listen.
What happened in 1981?
Charles and Diana married at St Paul’s
The ceremony became a defining image of 1981’s public culture, combining monarchy, celebrity, fashion, and broadcast spectacle.
Solidarity widened its challenge to communist rule
Poland’s conflict showed the political power of organised workers and the limits of communist reform.
John McEnroe wins his first Wimbledon title
John McEnroe beat Björn Borg 4–6, 7–6, 7–6, 6–4 in the Wimbledon final on July 4, 1981.
Wimbledon / All England Lawn Tennis Club · The Championships, Wimbledon
Piquet clinches Formula One title by one point
Nelson Piquet became Formula One world champion on October 17, 1981, finishing one point ahead of Carlos Reutemann.
Firsts and new ideas
IBM put a personal computer on office desks
Its open architecture and brand authority helped make personal computing a standard business technology.
Number ones and music in 1981
Chart positions belong to the country and chart named in each record.
“Bette Davis Eyes” leads the 1981 year-end chart
Billboard ranked Kim Carnes’ “Bette Davis Eyes” as its No. 1 pop single of 1981.
Britney Spears is born
The singer Britney Spears was born in McComb, Mississippi, on December 2, 1981.
Prices and everyday money in 1981
Canada figures in the money of the time. Units and sources matter: these are not today's prices.
| Item or measure | Then | Unit and source |
|---|---|---|
| Regular unleaded gasoline, full service | $0.337 | 1 litre Statistics Canada |
| Regular unleaded gasoline, full service | $0.33799999999999997 | 1 litre Statistics Canada |
| Regular unleaded gasoline, full service | $0.358 | 1 litre Statistics Canada |
| Regular unleaded gasoline, full service | $0.359 | 1 litre Statistics Canada |
Planning the birthday
Someone born in 1981 turns 45 in 2026. Before their birthday they are one year younger. Choose the birth year for the print; add the full date in the editor if you know it.
See milestone birthdays this year