Events from 1981 in England

Incumbent

Further information: Politics of England

Events

• March 29 – The first London Marathon starts, with 7,500 runners.
• April 11 – 1981 Brixton riot: Rioters in south London, UK, throw petrol bombs, attack police and loot shops.
• May 22 – Serial killer Peter Sutcliffe is found guilty and sentenced to life imprisonment on 13 counts of murder and 7 of attempted murder in England.
• November 12 – The Church of England General Synod votes to admit women to holy orders.

Births

• 9 February – Tom Hiddleston, actor

Deaths

• 16 January – Bernard Lee, actor (born 1908)
• 12 February – Bruce Fraser, 1st Baron Fraser of North Cape, British admiral (born 1888)
• 23 March – Mike Hailwood, motorcycle racer and racing driver (born 1950)
• 29 September – Bill Shankly, football manager (born 1913)