1981

 

The hostages being held in Iran were released on Jimmy Carter's last day as U.S. President. Later in the year he would welcome visits from both the prime minister of Israel and the president of Egypt; Carter had helped to broker a peace treaty between the two nations.

The Atlanta child murders continued through the spring, until on May 22 police staking out a bridge on Cobb Drive heard a car stop on the bridge, then a splash in the water. They stopped and questioned the driver - Wayne Williams. Two days later, a body washed ashore downstream from the bridge, and Williams was soon arrested. Though he was only charged with the murders of the final two victims; he was suspected of being the person responsible for all of the Atlanta child murders from 1979-1981. Jury selection for his trial began on December 28.

Danny Hansford was shot and killed by Jim Williams in Savannah. Williams claimed he was acting in self defense, but was charged with murder. He would ultimately be tried four times, and the case was dramatized in the book, and later a movie, Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil.

The Georgia General Assembly proposed a new state constitution; it would not be voted on until 1982 and would not go into effect until 1983, thus it is called the Constitution of 1983.

Former Atlanta mayor Ivan Allen, Jr. was awarded the Martin Luther King, Jr. Nonviolent Peace Prize.

Andrew Young was elected mayor of Atlanta; he would be re-elected to the same position in 1985. Edward McIntyre was elected mayor of Augusta, the first African-American to hold that position in Augusta.

The University of Georgia defeated Notre Dame in the Sugar Bowl on New Year's Day to complete an undefeated, untied season as the national collegiate football champions.

In the fall of the year, the University of Georgia football team won their second consecutive Southeastern Conference football championship.

Baseball great Johnny Mize, born in Demorest, Georgia, was inducted into the professional baseball Hall of Fame.

Atlanta Brave great Dale Murphy began a streak of 740 consecutive games played, a Braves' franchise record.

Dr. Betty L. Siegel became the first woman president in the University System of Georgia when she was chosen to head Kennesaw College.

Former Georgia Representative in the U.S. House Carl Vinson, who at the time held the record for longest service in Congress, died in Milledgeville, Georgia.

Beloved Georgia educator William Tate died in Athens, Georgia.

Georgia born actor Melvyn Douglas died; he was one of only three actors to win Oscar, Emmy, and Tony awards.

Famous Georgia historian Ellis Merton Coulter died in Athens, Georgia.

Further Information:

Carl Vinson article from the New Georgia Encyclopedia

Atlanta Child Murders

Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil article from the New Georgia Encyclopedia

Georgia Constitution of 1983

Johnny Mize Historical Marker

Jimmy Carter Historical Marker

See the following This Day in Georgia History entries:

Jan.1	Jan.7(see 1913)		Jan.20		Feb.21
March2	March12		March15(see 1911)		Apr.5(see 1901)
May2	May22	May24	June1		June21
July5	Aug.19		Sept.13	Sept.15	Sept.18
Sept.21(see 1903)	Sept.28		Oct.27	Oct.28	Dec.28

 

 

 

 

 

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