What Happened on September 12, 1981

Day of the Week: Saturday

Historical Events


Television DebutThe Smurfs TV Debut

"The Smurfs" animated cartoon series by Hanna-Barbera first broadcasts in North America
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The Smurfs title card from the 1981 TV series
The Smurfs title card from the 1981 TV series
  • Elizabeth Ward (Arkansas), 20, crowned 54th Miss America 1982
  • Red Sox rookie Bob Ojeda no-hits Yanks for 8 innings before Rick Cerone & Dave Winfield lead off 9th with back-to-back doubles

Sport awardTennis Open

US Open Women's Tennis: Tracy Austin wins her second US title; beats Martina Navratilova 1-6, 7-6, 7-6

Tennis Player Martina Navratilova
Tennis Player
Martina Navratilova

Famous Birthdays


Person of interestJennifer Hudson

Jennifer Hudson, American actress and singer (Dreamgirls), born in Chicago, Illinois

Actress and Singer Jennifer Hudson
Actress and Singer
Jennifer Hudson
  • Jered Guzman, American pairs skater (& Natalie Vlandis), born in Garden Grove, California

Famous Deaths

  • Eugenio Montale, Italian poet and translator (Xenia-Nobel 1975), dies at 84