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Events from the year 1981 in the United Kingdom.
[edit] Events
- January 9- The funeral of Princess Alice, Countess of Athlone, the last surviving grandchild of Queen Victoria, takes place at St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle.
- January 16- Northern Ireland civil rights campaigner and former Westminster MP, Bernadette McAliskey is shot and injured at her home in County Tyrone, Northern Ireland. Loyalist terrorists suspected.[1]
- January 18- New Cross Fire- 18 young black people are killed in an arson attack on a house in New Cross, London. [2]
- January 25- The Limehouse Declaration: Four Labour MPs, Shirley Williams, Roy Jenkins, William Rodgers and David Owen announce plans to form a separate political party- the Social Democratic Party. [3]
- February 18 - Thatcher government withdraws plans to close down 23 mines after negotiations with National Union of Mineworkers. [4]
- February 24- The Prince of Wales and Lady Diana Spencer announce their engagement.[5]
- March 9 - John Lambe the so-called "M5 rapist" jailed for life. [6]
- March 23 - government imposes a ban on animal transportation on the Isle of Wight and southern Hampshire after an outbreak of foot and mouth disease in cattle. [7]
- March 24- Barbados police rescue Great Train Robber Ronnie Biggs after being kidnapped in Brazil. [8]
- March 26- Social Democratic Party formed by the so-called "Gang of Four": Shirley Williams, William Rodgers, Roy Jenkins, and David Owen. [9]
- March 29- The first London Marathon is held. [10]
- April 4- Bucks Fizz was the winner of Eurovision Song Contest with the song, Making Your Mind Up.
- April 10- Bobby Sands, an IRA terrorist on hunger strike in the Maze prison, Northern Ireland is elected MP for Fermanagh and South Tyrone in a by election. [11]
- April 11- Brixton riot [12]
- June 13- The Queen is shot at by a youth, Marcus Sarjeant, who fired six blank cartridges as the Queen entered Horse Guards Parade.[13]
- July 5- Toxteth riots: about 80 police injured in two days of rioting, and first use was made of CS gas by British police. [14]
The Prince and Princess of Wales return from their wedding on July 29
[edit] Births
[edit] Deaths
[edit] References
- ^ 1981: Gunmen shoot civil rights campaigner
- ^ 1981: Nine die in New Cross house fire
- ^ 1981: Dissident Labour MPs plan new party
- ^ 1981: Thatcher gives in to miners
- ^ 1981: Prince Charles and Lady Di to marry
- ^ 1981: M5 rapist jailed for life
- ^ 1981: New measures to contain farm disease
- ^ 1981: Biggs rescued after kidnapping
- ^ 1981: 'Gang of four' launches new party
- ^ 1981: Triumph at first London Marathon
- ^ 1981: Hunger striker elected MP
- ^ 1981: Brixton ablaze after riot
- ^ 1981: Queen shot at by youth
- ^ 1981: Police attacked in Liverpool riots
- ^ 1981: Charles and Diana marry
- ^ 1981: IRA Maze hunger strikes at an end
- ^ 1981: CND rally attracts thousands
- ^ 1981: Euthanasia chief jailed over suicides
- ^ 1981: Lifeboat crew missing after mission
1981 in the United Kingdom: 
England | 
Scotland
