December 1981

Tuesday 01:

A Yugoslavian Inex Adria Aviopromet DC-9 crashes in Corsica killing 178.

Friday 04:

South Africa grants "homeland" Ciskei independence (not recognized outside South Africa).

Friday 11:

The Salvadoran armed forces massacre 900 villagers in the El Mozote massacre

Saturday 12:

The Chaos Computer Club was founded in Berlin.

Sunday 13:

General Wojciech Jaruzelski declares martial law in Poland

Monday 14:

Israel annexes the Golan Heights

Thursday 17:

U.S. army officer James Dozier is abducted by the Red Brigades in Verona, Italy

Monday 28:

The HBO pay cable television service expanded its schedule offering to 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Wednesday 30:

Wayne Gretzky scores his 50th goal in 39 games, an NHL record to this day.