Retro Cafe Blog: 1981

Today's Retro Cafe Blog takes us back to 1981. President Ronald Reagan was inaugurated, and according to 1980sflashback.com, the federal debt was $994.8 billion.

Other stats from 1981, via 1980sflashback: The cost of a new home that year was $83,000. Median household income was $19,074 and you could mail a letter for 15 cents, the cost of a stamp.

Raiders of the Lost Ark ruled the box office. Dallas, 60 Minutes and Three's Company came and knocked on our doors, or at least our TV screens. Walter Cronkite retired from anchoring the CBS Evening News, to be replaced by Dan Rather.

Finally, in the world of music, 1981 saw Rick Springfield topping the charts with Jessie's Girl and Kim Carnes waxed poetic about Bette Davis Eyes.

What do you remember most about 1981? Share your stories in the comment section below.

[Via 1980sflashback.com]