What Happened on January 5, 1981

Historical Events

  • Late night television news program "Nightline" with Ted Koppel extended from 20 mins to 30 mins

Murder of Interest

Peter Sutcliffe, a truck driver confesses that he is the "Yorkshire Ripper" and murdered 13 women

Famous Birthdays

  • Brooklyn Sudano, American actress, born in Los Angeles, California
  • Corey Flynn, New Zealand rugby union hooker (15 caps; Canterbury Crusaders), born in Invercargill, New Zealand
Born in 1981

Famous Deaths

  • Guy Paquinet, French jazz trombonist, and bandleader, dies at 77
  • Harold Urey, American physical chemist (Deuterium, Nobel 1934), dies at 87
  • Lanza del Vasto, Italian philosopher (b. 1901)
  • Paul FĂ©lix, Flemish architect (Song of the Sun), dies at 67

About January 5, 1981

Day of the Week: Monday
How Long Ago? 42 years, 8 months and 28 days
Leap Year: No

Generation: Millennial
Chinese Zodiac: Monkey
Star Sign: Capricorn

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