~Flashback - 1981~

President Reagan wounded by gunman, with press secretary and two law-enforcement officers (March 30).

US GDP (1998 dollars): $3,115.90 billion
Federal spending: $678.25 billion
Federal debt: $994.8 billion
Median Household Income
(current dollars): $19,074
Consumer Price Index: 90.9
Unemployment: 7.6%
Cost of a first-class stamp: $0.15 ($0.18 as of 3/22/81; $0.20 as of 11/1/81)

• MTV goes on the air running around the clock music videos, debuting with "Video Killed the Radio Star."
• The Supreme Court rules to allow television cameras in the courtroom.
• Pacman-mania sweeps the country.

Movies: Raiders of the Lost Ark, Chariots of Fire, On Golden Pond, Reds, Atlantic City

Record of the Year: "Sailing," Christopher Cross
Album of the Year: Christopher Cross, Christopher Cross (Warner Bros.)
Song of the Year: "Sailing," Christopher Cross, songwriter

• AIDS is first identified. Background: Understanding AIDS
• IBM introduces its first personal computer, running the Microsoft Disk Operating System (MS-DOS). Background: Computers and Internet

This is the year that my parents wanted to disown me. I ran wild with my group of friends and the summer of 1981 was one of the best for me.
Friday and Saturday nights, hanging out, listening to REO Speedwagon's Hi Infidelity album, Phil Collins "In The Air Tonight" and Rick Springfield's "Jessie's Girl".