On this day

May 19, 1981

Revisit the music, news, notable people, and historical moments connected to this date.

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Headlines from May 19, 1981

FEDERAL AID SOUGHT FOR SEMICONDUCTORS

By Andrew Pollack

The American semiconductor industry - fast-growing, prosperous and free of Government control - has stood in stark contrast to some older industries, including steel and automobiles, which have suffered from foreign competition and aging factories. Such factors have forced those industries to seek Government help. Now, however, the semiconductor industry is also appealing to Washington for help in competing with the Japanese and in investing in new equipment. It is mounting a campaign for freer trade and tax incentives.

Financial Desk1091 words

COURT WIDENS RIGHT OF SUSPECT TO BAR SELF-INCRIMINATION

By Linda Greenhouse, Special To the New York Times

The Supreme Court, ruling in two unrelated murder cases, today significantly expanded the constitutional protection against self-incrimination. The Court ruled in one case that a murder defendant must be given the right to remain silent when questioned by a psychiatrist who might later testify for the prosecution that the defendant was ''dangerous'' and should be put to death. That decision, in which the Court was unanimous although divided in its reasoning, has the immediate effect of invalidating the death sentences of 30 inmates in Texas. The second decision, also unanimous, held that once a criminal suspect has invoked his right to have a lawyer present during questioning, he cannot later be regarded as having waived that right unless he initiates further conversations with the police.

National Desk871 words

ITALIAN VOTERS AFFIRM LIBERAL ABORTION LAW BY BETTER THAN 2 TO 1

By Henry Tanner

Italian voters today overwhelmingly rejected a proposal for the repeal of a liberal abortion law in spite of a determined campaign by the Roman Catholic Church and an antiabortion movement linked to the governing Christian Democratic Party. WIth 97 percent of the votes counted, the repeal had been rejected by 20,839,824, or 68 percent, with 9,905,350 votes in favor. The margin was far higher than even the most optimistic defenders of the law had expected.

Foreign Desk519 words

TWO MORE BOMBS FOUND ON EAST SIDE

By Robert D. McFadden

Two small pipe bombs similar to one that killed a man at Kennedy International Airport on Saturday were found yesterday on Manhattan's East Side. Both were safely removed and no one was injured. The bombs were found at the United States Mission to the United Nations and the Honduran Consulate. Authorities said the bombs apparently were sent through the mail over the weekend by the same Puerto Rican terrorist group that had left three other bombs at the Pan American World Airways terminal at Kennedy Airport on Saturday and Sunday, including one that blew up, killing a 20-year-old airport worker. Police investigators, meanwhile, said they had found a witness who described in some detail a man who ran from a restroom in the terminal shortly before the fatal blast and had warned the witness to ''keep her mouth shut'' about him.

Metropolitan Desk1468 words

Index; International

By Unknown Author

China to publish Mao assessment on July 1 A4 Ex-ambassador says U.S. has a nuclear agreement with Japan A5 Two U.S. officials threaten to re- sign in baby formula dispute A6 Reagan's rights nominee says he's a "confirmed do-gooder" A7 Pope's doctors note gain but still express caution A8 British Navy Minister is out in dis- pute over arms outlays A9 Around the World A10 Government/Politics Carey and Koch "reluctantly" back regional transit tax B1 Focus in Jersey race for governor shifts to Hudson County B2 Connecticut's $2.98 billion budget is signed into law B2 Senator Goodman offered G.O.P. chairmanship in Manhattan B3 City Clerk seeks Manhattan bor- ough presidency B3 A Nassau official is indicted in connection with recycling plant B9 Supreme Court rejects Brooklyn judge's challenge on removal B10 Supreme Court Roundup B11 A.C.L.U. official sees threat in fight against terrorism B11 Michigan votes on property-tax limitation today B11 President's Social Security plan unlikely to survive as it is B12 Reagans go to Joffrey ballet per- formance to see son perform B12 Navy shuts shipboard custody units pending investigation B12 Several members of House report assets of over $1 million B12 Republicans consider limiting or abolishing elections unit B12 Features/Notes Notes on People B6 About Washington: For the Speak- er, win some, lose some B12 Going Out Guide C10 Science Times The search for the best toxic waste disposal intensifies C1 Wandering genes give bacteria their powers to harm C1 Treating the emotional disorders of doctors C1 Education: the success of early remedial teaching C1 The Doctor's World: when the Pope is a patient C2 Science Watch C2 The Surgeon General's boss C3 About Education: a decade of changes to come for testing C6 Science Q&A C6 General Around the Nation A12 Inquiry set in death of veteran charged in hospital shooting A12 Even the Celtics seem unable to buoy Boston's hopes A12 Audience takes part in adoption program B3 Arts/Entertainment Phase I of Cliburn contest passes halfway mark C7 "Paris-Moscow" art show to give Russians feast of modernism C7 Art auctions set record prices C8 Francine Gray's "World Without End" reviewed C10 Juilliard String Quartet in all-Bee- thoven program C13 Pavarotti voice contest under way in Philadelphia C13 Cissy Houston sings at the Bottom Line C13 "The Violation of Sarah McDavid," on CBS-TV tonight C14 Style Notes on Fashion C11 Fur designers have new ideas on keeping warm C11 Shawls in all sizes: the latest re- vival for a hardy perennial C11 Obituaries Dr. E. Drexel Godfrey Jr., former C.I.A. official B14 Jeannette Piccard, balloonist and pioneer Episcopal priest C12 James S. Rausch, Bishop of Catholic Diocese of Phoenix C12 Arthur O'Connell, acted in "Anat- omy of a Murder" C12 Sports City negotiating golf-course con- cession D20 Right-of-first-refusal clause now governs N.B.A. free agency D20 Cosmos seek Wegerle of Rowdies D20 Yanks' John and Gossage top Royals, 2-1 D21 Mets release Roberts D21 Resch says Islanders are better than last year D21 Connors loses West German final D21 John Walker, at 29, seeks new challenge D21 Dave Anderson on Wayne Mer- rick's dream D23 Ciccarelli's record feat dimmed by Stars' loss D23 News Analysis John Vinocur on Helmut Schmidt's political troubles A2 Editorials/Letters/Op-Ed Editorials A14 The diplomacy of mothers' milk Sweet deal for sugar growers Private jobs, public needs Topics: offensive/defensive Letters A14 Sydney H. Schanberg: punishing the doctors A15 Tom Wicker: giving voters a break A15 John B. Oakes: the Ketchikan caper A15 Richard Critchfield: doomsday chic A15 Michael Leapman: Ireland and our press A15

Metropolitan Desk592 words

Music on My Birthday

Billboard 200

The Top 50 albums for the chart week of May 13, 1981, covering May 19, 1981.

  1. 1
    Album cover for Hi Infidelity by REO Speedwagon

    Hi Infidelity

    REO Speedwagon

    Last week
    2
    Peak
    1
    Weeks
    23
  2. 2
    Album cover for Paradise Theater by Styx

    Paradise Theater

    Styx

    Last week
    1
    Peak
    1
    Weeks
    16
  3. 3
    Album cover for Arc Of A Diver by Steve Winwood

    Arc Of A Diver

    Steve Winwood

    Last week
    3
    Peak
    3
    Weeks
    18
  4. 4
    Album cover for Face Dances by The Who

    Face Dances

    The Who

    Last week
    4
    Peak
    4
    Weeks
    7
  5. 5
    Album cover for Winelight by Grover Washington| Jr.

    Winelight

    Grover Washington| Jr.

    Last week
    5
    Peak
    5
    Weeks
    27

Notable Births

1981Luciano Figueroa, Argentinian footballer[†]

Luciano Gabriel "Lucho" Figueroa Herrera is an Argentine former professional footballer who played as a striker.

Yo Gotti

1981Yo Gotti, American rapper[†]

Mario Sentell Giden Mims, known professionally as Yo Gotti, is an American rapper, singer, and record executive. Rooted in Memphis rap, he released five independent albums—Youngsta's on a Come Up (1996), From da Dope Game 2 da Rap Game (2000), Self-Explanatory (2001), Life (2003), and Back 2 da Basics (2006)—before signing with J Records in 2009. Two of his singles that year, "5 Star" and "Women Lie, Men Lie", received gold certifications by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) and entered the Billboard Hot 100. Despite this, both songs were omitted from the release of his sixth album and major label debut, Live from the Kitchen (2012), which, despite mixed critical reception, peaked at number 12 on the Billboard 200.

Michael Leighton

1981Michael Leighton, Canadian ice hockey player[†]

Michael W. Leighton is a Canadian former professional ice hockey goaltender who played in the National Hockey League (NHL) with the Chicago Blackhawks, Nashville Predators, Philadelphia Flyers and Carolina Hurricanes.

Sina Schielke

1981Sina Schielke, German sprinter[†]

Sina Schielke is a German former sprinter. Her personal bests are 11.16 seconds in the 100 metres, 22.78 in the 200 metres, and 7.19 seconds in the indoor 60 metres.

1981Klaas-Erik Zwering, Dutch swimmer[†]

Klaas-Erik Zwering is a former Dutch swimmer and an Olympic medalist. He is currently studying MBO entrepreneurship as he trained in Eindhoven with the PSV Eindhoven swim club. His personal coach was Jacco Verhaeren, who is also coach for Dutch swimming phenom Pieter van den Hoogenband.

Historical Context for May 19, 1981

In 1981, the world population was approximately 4,528,777,306 people[†]