This Week In History, 1981
And after a week of being under the weather, I am back! Almost 100%, with a look at this week in 1981.
March 1st, Sunday. The Reagan administration is still in it’s infancy. The economy is still not good, either. The big news for the day, came from Europe, where IRA member Bobby Sands began a hunger strike that would ultimately prove fatal.
In sports, it’s a first! ESPN shows it’s first-ever NASCAR race, the Carolina 500 in Rockingham, North Carolina. Darrell Waltrip leads Cale Yarborough and Richard Petty across the line. Also worth noting for motorsports fans; future Indycar drive Wil Power is born on this day.
Monday, March 2nd. On the radio, The Bellamy Brothers were on a hot streak, thanks to hits like “Do You Love As Good As You Look”. Also competing for airtime was “Are You Happy Baby” from Dottie West, “Texas Women” from Hank Williams Jr., “Angel Flyin’ Too Close To The Ground” from Willie Nelson, and the late Elvis Presley’s “Guitar Man”.
Tuesday, March 3rd. One of the biggest accomplishments a hockey player can make is a “hat-trick”, meaning scoring 3 goals in one game. It’s not easy to do. But on this day, the great Mike Bossy of the New York Islanders did it…for the 9th time in the 1980-81 season!
Wednesday, March 4th. Turning on the TV for “Eight Is Enough”, “Soap”, “Taxi”, or “Vegas” on ABC. CBS is showing a movie, along with “Enos”, the “Dukes Of Hazzard” spin-off. Meanwhile, NBC is offering the somewhat goofy but fun “Real People”, “Diff’rent Strokes” and it’s spin-off “The Facts Of Life”, and Jack Klugman’s “Quincy M. E.”.
Thursday, March 5th. A name that would eventually become a household name in the skating world; Scott Hamilton. He won the Men’s Figure Skating Championship on this day.
Friday, March 6th. And that’s the way it was. Walter Cronkite finished his run as anchor of “CBS Evening News”, to be succeeded by Dan Rather.
Saturday, March 7th. We are reminded that nowhere is completely safe, as an 18 year old stabbing victim becomes Disneyland’s first homicide.
