Historical Events
- India all out 63 in one-day international v Australia
Event of Interest
Isabel Allende begins a letter to her dying grandfather that will become her first novel "The House of the Spirits"
Music History
Joseph Papp's revival of Gilbert and Sullivan's operetta "The Pirates of Penzance", starring Linda Ronstadt, Rex Smith, and Kevin Kline, opens at the Uris Theater, NYC; runs for 772 performances and wins a Tony Award
1981 History
Famous Birthdays
- Jeff Francis, Canadian baseball player, born in Vancouver, British Columbia
- Xie Xingfang, Chinese badminton player, born in Guangzhou, China
Famous Deaths
- Matthew Beard, American actor (Our Gang shorts - "Stymie"). dies of pneumonia after a stroke and fall, at 56
- Woody Chamblis, American actor (Mr Lathrop-Gunsmoke), dies at 66
About January 8, 1981
Day of the Week: Thursday
How Long Ago? 42 years, 2 months and 17 days
Leap Year: No
Generation: Millennial
Chinese Zodiac: Monkey
Star Sign: Capricorn
Music Charts
#1 Song: (Just Like) Starting Over - John Lennon
#1 Song: Imagine - John Lennon
