1981 in the United States
Events from the year 1981 in the United States.
January 20: Ronald Reagan becomes the 40th U.S. president
January 20: George H. W. Bush becomes the 43rd U.S. vice president
January 20: The Iran hostage crisis ends with their release
March 30: Reagan assassination attempt
1980 in the United States
Events from the year 1980 in the United States.
January 27: The Canadian Caper rescues six hostages from Iran
February 13: The Winter Olympics open in Lake Placid
April 15: The Mariel boatlift begins
April 24–25: Operation Eagle Claw fails to rescue the hostages in Iran