The 1980s

Explore 1450 historical events from 1980–1989.

Year by year

1980 136 1981 161 1982 130 1983 145 1984 138 1985 157 1986 154 1987 155 1988 140 1989 134
1981 45 years ago

Felipe Massa, Brazilian racing driver

Felipe Massa is a Brazilian racing driver, who competes in the Stock Car Pro Series for TMG and in the IMSA SportsCar Championship for Riley. Massa competed in Formula One from 200…

Felipe Massa, Brazilian racing driver

1981 45 years ago

Anja Pärson, Swedish skier

Anja Sofia Tess Pärson is a Swedish former alpine skier. She is an Olympic gold medalist, seven-time gold medalist at the World Championships, and two-time overall Alpine Skiing Wo…

Anja Pärson, Swedish skier

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1981 45 years ago

Caro Emerald, Dutch pop and jazz singer

Caroline Esmeralda van der Leeuw, formerly known as Caro Emerald and lately part of the music project The Jordan, is a Dutch pop and jazz singer who mainly performs in English. Act…

Caro Emerald, Dutch pop and jazz singer

1981 45 years ago

Ms

Naomi Arleen McLean-Daley, better known as Ms. Dynamite, is a British singer and rapper. She is the recipient of the Mercury Music Prize, two Brit Awards and three MOBO Awards.

Ms

1981 sandra schmitt german skier died 2000 04 26
1981 45 years ago

Sandra Schmitt, German skier (died 2000)

Sandra Schmitt was a German freestyle skier. In 1998, she came 9th in the Women's Moguls contest at the 1998 Winter Olympics in Nagano. She became the Women's Dual Moguls World Cha…

Sandra Schmitt, German skier (died 2000)

1981 45 years ago

Jessica Alba, American model and actress

Jessica Marie Alba is an American actress and businesswoman. She rose to prominence at age 19 for portraying Max Guevara, the lead character in the television series Dark Angel (2…

Jessica Alba, American model and actress

1981 45 years ago

George McCartney, Northern Irish footballer

George McCartney is a Northern Irish former footballer who is a coach at Linfield. He began his career at Sunderland in 1998 before having two spells each with West Ham United and …

George McCartney, Northern Irish footballer

1981 45 years ago

Nicole Kaczmarski, American basketball player

Nicole Anne Kaczmarski is an American former professional basketball player. A standout player in high school, she received a Gatorade Player of the Year award, was named Miss New …

Nicole Kaczmarski, American basketball player

1981 45 years ago

John O'Shea, Irish footballer

John Francis O'Shea is an Irish professional football coach and former player who is currently assistant manager of the Republic of Ireland men's national team. He was known for hi…

John O'Shea, Irish footballer

1981 45 years ago

Kunal Nayyar, British-Indian actor

Kunal Nayyar is a British actor and philanthropist who gained recognition for playing Raj Koothrappali on the CBS sitcom The Big Bang Theory (2007–2019). He also voiced Vijay on th…

Kunal Nayyar, British-Indian actor

1981 45 years ago

Wes Welker, American football player and coach

Wesley Carter Welker is an American professional football coach and former wide receiver who is an offensive assistant for the Washington Commanders of the National Football League…

Wes Welker, American football player and coach

1981 45 years ago

Robert Buckley, American actor

Robert Earl Buckley is an American actor, known for his roles as Kirby Atwood on the NBC dramedy series Lipstick Jungle, Clay Evans on The CW drama series One Tree Hill, Brian Leon…

Robert Buckley, American actor

1981 45 years ago

Chris Kirkland, English footballer

Christopher Edmund Kirkland is an English football coach and former professional goalkeeper. As a player, he made 321 league and cup appearances in an 18-year professional career f…

Chris Kirkland, English footballer

1981 45 years ago

Eric Djemba-Djemba, Cameroon footballer

Eric Daniel Djemba-Djemba is a Cameroonian former professional footballer who played as a midfielder. He previously played club football in France, England, Qatar, Denmark, Israel,…

Eric Djemba-Djemba, Cameroon footballer

1981 45 years ago

Ruth Negga, Ethiopian-Irish actress

Ruth Negga is an Irish actress known for her roles on stage and screen. She has received various accolades including nominations for an Academy Award, a Tony Award, two Emmy Awards…

Ruth Negga, Ethiopian-Irish actress

1981 45 years ago

Danielle Fishel, American actress

Danielle Christine Fishel Karp is an American actress and director. Her career started in community theater, and she made her screen debut with guest roles on shows such as Full Ho…

Danielle Fishel, American actress

1981 45 years ago

Stephen Amell, Canadian actor

Stephen Adam Amell is a Canadian actor. He came to prominence for playing the lead role of Oliver Queen on the CW superhero series Arrow (2012–2020), based on DC Comics. Amell also…

Stephen Amell, Canadian actor