Alternate History 🇺🇸 November 2, 1976: President Nelson Rockefeller wins election to full 4-year term and the aftermath

[Sergeant Foley]

List of US State/Territory Governors (Part I)
Thursday, February 5, 1981
​

*ALABAMA: Forrest Hood "Fob" James (D)
In office: 15 January 1979
First elected: 1978
Seat up for election: 2 November 1982

*ALASKA: Jay Sterner Hammond (R)
In office: 2 December 1974
First elected: 1974; reelected in 1978.
Seat up for election: 2 November 1982
******Seat open due to term limits in 1982.

*ARIZONA: Bruce Edward Babbitt (D)
In office: 4 March 1978
Ascended to the Governorship following the death of then-Arizona Governor Wesley Bolin (D).
First elected to full four-year term: 1978
Seat up for election: 2 November 1982

*ARKANSAS: Frank Durward White (R)
In office: 19 January 1981
First elected: 1980
Seat up for election: 2 November 1982

*CALIFORNIA: Edmund Gerald "Jerry" Brown, Jr., (D)
In office: 6 January 1975
First elected: 1974; reelected in 1978.
Seat up for election: 2 November 1982
*Open Seat: Announced in Fall 1980 that he was running for the United States Senate in 1982.

*COLORADO: Richard Douglas Lamm (D)
In office: 14 January 1975
First elected: 1974; reelected in 1978
Seeking reelection in 1982
Seat up for election: 2 November 1982

*CONNECTICUT: William Atchison O'Neill (D)
In office: 27 June 1980
Ascended to the Governorship following the death of then-Connecticut Governor Ella Grasso (D)
Seeking election to full four-year term in 1982
Seat up for election: 2 November 1982

*DELAWARE: Pierre Samuel "Pete" du Pont, IV (R)
In office: 18 January 1977
First elected: 1976; reelected in 1980
Seat up for election: 6 November 1984
******Open Seat due to term limits in 1984.

*FLORIDA: Daniel Robert Graham (D)
In office: 2 January 1979
First elected: 1978
Seeking reelection in 1982
Seat up for election: 2 November 1982.

*GEORGIA: George Dekle Busbee (D)
In office: 14 January 1975
First elected: 1974; reelected in 1978
Seat up for election: 2 November 1982
******Open Seat due to term limits in 1982.

*NORTHERN MARIANA ISLANDS: Carlos Sablan Camacho (D)
In office: 9 January 1978
First elected: 1977
Seat up for election: 3 November 1981

*GUAM: Paul McDonald Calvo (R)
In office: 1 January 1979
First elected: 1978
Seeking reelection in 1982
Seat up for election: 2 November 1982

*US VIRGIN ISLANDS: Juan Francisco Luis (IND)
In office: 2 January 1978
Ascended to the Governorship upon the death of then-US Virgin Islands Governor Cyril King (ICM)
First elected to full four-year term: 1978
Seeking reelection in 1982
Seat up for election: 2 November 1982

*AMERICAN SAMOA: Peter Tali Coleman (R)
In office: 3 January 1978
First elected: 1977; reelected in 1980
Seat up for election: 6 November 1984

*HAWAII: George Ryoichi Ariyoshi (D)
In office: 2 December 1974
First elected: 1974; reelected in 1978
Seeking reelection in 1982
Seat up for election: 2 November 1982

*IDAHO: John Victor Evans, Sr., (D)
In office: 23 January 1977
Ascended to the Governorship upon the resignation of then-Idaho Governor Cecil Andrus (D), who became US Secretary of the Interior
First elected to full four-year term: 1978
Seeking reelection in 1982
Seat up for election: 2 November 1982

*ILLINOIS: James Robert "Big Jim" Thompson, Jr., (R)
In office: 10 January 1977
First elected: 1976; reelected in 1978
Seeking reelection in 1982
Seat up for election: 2 November 1982

 

[Sergeant Foley]

List of US State/Territory Governors (Part II)
Thursday, February 5, 1981
​

*INDIANA: Robert Dunkerson Orr (R)
In office: 12 January 1981
First elected: 1980
Seat up for election: 6 November 1984

*IOWA: Robert Dolph Ray (R)
In office: 16 January 1969
First elected: 1968; reelected in 1970, 1972, 1974 and again in 1978.
Seat up for election: 2 November 1982

*KANSAS: John William Carlin (D)
In office: 8 January 1979
First elected: 1978
Seeking reelection in 1982
Seat up for election: 2 November 1982

*KENTUCKY: John Young Brown, Jr., (D)
In office: 11 December 1979
First elected: 1979
Seat up for election: 8 November 1983
******Open seat due to term limits

*LOUISIANA: David Conner Treen (R)
In office: 10 March 1980
First elected: 1979
Seat up for election: 22 October 1983

*MAINE: Joseph Edward Brennan (D)
In office: 3 January 1979
First elected: 1978
Seat up for election: 2 November 1982

*MARYLAND: Harry Roe Hughes (D)
In office: 17 January 1979
First elected: 1978
Seeking reelection in 1982
Seat up for election: 2 November 1982

*MASSACHUSETTS: Edward Joseph King (D)
In office: 4 January 1979
First elected: 1978
Seat up for election: 2 November 1982

*MICHIGAN: William Grawn Milliken (R)
In office: 22 January 1969
Ascended to the Governorship upon the resignation of then-Michigan Governor George Romney (R), who became US Secretary of Housing and Urban Development
First elected to full four-year term in 1970; reelected in 1974 and again in 1978
Seeking reelection in 1982 to fourth full four-year term
Seat up for election: 2 November 1982

*MINNESOTA: Albert Harold Quie (R)
In office: 4 January 1979
First elected: 1978
Seat up for election: 2 November 1982
******Open Seat: Not seeking reelection in 1982.

*MISSISSIPPI: William Forrest Winter (D)
In office: 22 January 1980
First elected: 1979
Seat up for election: 8 November 1983

*MISSOURI: Christopher Samuel "Kit' Bond (R)
In office: 12 January 1981
*Previously held the Governorship: 8 January 1973 to 10 January 1977
First elected: 1972; reelected in 1980
Seat up for election: 6 November 1984

*MONTANA: Thomas Lee Judge (D)
In office: 1 January 1973
First elected: 1972; Reelected in 1976 and 1980
Seat up for election: 6 November 1984

COMING UP IN CHAPTER 11 OF THE AMERICAN REPUBLIC: Part III of the List detailing the US State/Territory Governorships.

 

[Sergeant Foley]

List of US State/Territory Governors (Part III)
Thursday, February 5, 1981
​

*NEBRASKA: Charles Thorne (R)
In office: 4 January 1979
First elected: 1978
Seat up for election: 2 November 1982.

*NEVADA: Robert List (R)
In office: 1 January 1979
First elected: 1978
Seat up for election: 2 November 1982.

*NEW HAMPSHIRE: Hugh Gallen (D)
In office: 4 January 1979
First elected: 1978; reelected in 1980.
Seat up for election: 2 November 1982.

*NEW JERSEY: Brendan Thomas Byrne (D)
In office: 15 January 1974
First elected: 1973; reelected in 1977
******Open seat due to term limits.
*Seat up for election: 3 November 1981.

*NEW MEXICO: Bruce Stanley King (D)
In office: 1 January 1979
Previously served: 1 January 1971 to 1 January 1975
First elected: 1970; reelected in 1978
******Open seat due to term limits
Seat up for election: 2 November 1982

*NEW YORK STATE: Hugh Leo Carey (D)
In office: 1 January 1975
First elected: 1974; reelected in 1978
Open Seat: Announced on 12 December 1980 that he wouldn't be seeking reelection in 1982.
Seat up for election: 2 November 1982.

*NORTH CAROLINA: James Baxter "Jim" Hunt, Jr., (D)
In office: 8 January 1977
First elected: 1976; reelected in 1980
******Open seat due to term limits in 1984.
Seat up for election: 6 November 1984

*NORTH DAKOTA: Allen I. Olson (R)
In office: 2 January 1981
First elected: 1980
Seat up for election: 6 November 1984

*OHIO: James Allen "Jim" Rhodes (R)
In office: 13 January 1975
Previously served: 14 January 1963 to 11 January 1971
First elected: 1962; reelected in 1966, 1974 and 1978.
******Open Seat due to term limits
Seat up for election: 2 November 1982.

*OKLAHOMA: George Patterson Nigh (D)
In office: 3 January 1979
Previously served: 3 January to 14 January 1963: Ascended to the Governorship upon resignation of then-Oklahoma Governor J. Howard Edmondson (D), who appointed himself to the United States Senate.
First elected: 1978
Seat up for election: 2 November 1982.

*OREGON: Victor George Atiyeh (R)
In office: 8 January 1979
First elected: 1978
Seat up for election: 2 November 1982.

*PENNSYLVANIA: Richard Thornburgh (R)
In office: 16 January 1979
First elected: 1978
Seat up for election: 2 November 1982.

*RHODE ISLAND: J. Joseph Garrahy (D)
In office: 4 January 1977
First elected: 1976; reelected in 1978 and 1980
Seat up for election: 2 November 1982

*SOUTH CAROLINA: Richard Riley (D)
In office: 10 January 1979
First elected: 1978
Seat up for election: 2 November 1982.

*SOUTH DAKOTA: William Janklow (R)
In office: 1 January 1979
First elected: 1978
Seat up for election: 2 November 1982.

*TENNESSEE: Lamar Alexander (R)
In office: 20 January 1979
First elected: 1978
Seat up for election: 2 November 1982

COMING UP IN CHAPTER 11 OF THE AMERICAN REPUBLIC: Part IV of the US State/Territory Governorships.

 

[Sergeant Foley]

List of US State/Territory Governors (Part IV)
Thursday, February 5, 1981
​

*TEXAS: William Perry Clements, Jr., (R)
In office: 16 January 1979
First elected: 1978
Seat up for election: 2 November 1982.

*VERMONT: Richard Ackwright Snelling (R)
In office: 6 January 1977
First elected: 1976; reelected in 1978 and 1980.
Seat up for election: 2 November 1982.

*WISCONSIN: Lee Dreyfus (R)
In office: 4 January 1979
First elected: 1978
Seat up for election: 2 November 1982.

*WYOMING: Edgar Herschler (D)
In office: 6 January 1975
First elected: 1974; reelected in 1978.
Seeking reelection in 1982.
Seat up for election: 2 November 1982.

*PUERTO RICO: Carlos Romero Barcelo (D/PNP)
In office: 2 January 1977
First elected: 1976; reelected in 1980.
Seat up for election: 6 November 1984.

COMING UP IN CHAPTER 11 OF THE AMERICAN REPUBLIC: List of United States Senators from 51 States!

 

[Sergeant Foley]

List of United States Senators (Part I)
Thursday, February 5, 1981
​

*ALABAMA:
Class 2: Howell Heflin (D-AL)
Class 3: Jeremiah Denton (R-AL)

*ALASKA:
Class 2: Ted Stevens (R-AK)
Class 3: Frank Murkowski (R-AK)

*ARIZONA:
Class 1: Dennis DeConcini (D-AZ)
Class 2: Barry Goldwater (R-AZ)

*ARKANSAS:
Class 2: David Pryor (D-AR)
Class 3: Dale Bumpers (D-AR)

*CALIFORNIA:
Class 1: Sam Hayakawa (R-CA)
Class 3: Alan Cranston (D-CA)

*COLORADO:
Class 2: William Armstrong (R-CO)
Class 3: Gary Hart (D-CO)

*CONNECTICUT:
Class 1: Lowell Weicker (R-CT)
Class 3: Christopher J. Dodd (D-CT)

*DELAWARE:
Class 1: William Roth (R-DE)
Class 2: Joe Biden (D-DE)

*FLORIDA:
Class 1: Lawton Chiles (D-FL)
Class 3: Paula Hawkins (R-FL)

*GEORGIA:
Class 2: Sam Nunn (D-GA)
Class 3: Mack Mattingly (R-GA)
COMING UP IN CHAPTER 11 OF THE AMERICAN REPUBLIC: Part II of the List of United States Senators from the 51 States!

 

[Sergeant Foley]

List of United States Senators (Part II)
Thursday, February 5, 1981
​

*HAWAII:
Class 1: Spark Matsunaga (D-HI)
Class 3: Daniel Inouye (D-HI)

*IDAHO:
Class 2: James A. McClure (R-ID)
Class 3: Steve Symms (R-ID)

*ILLINOIS:
Class 2: Charles Percy (R-IL)
Class 3: Alan J. Dixon (D-IL)

*INDIANA:
Class 1: Richard Lugar (R-IN)
Class 3: James Danforth Quayle (R-IN)

*IOWA:
Class 2: Roger Jepsen (R-IA)
Class 3: Chuck Grassley (R-IA)

*KANSAS:
Class 2: Nancy Kassebaum (R-KS)
Class 3: Robert Joseph "Bob" Dole (R-KS)

*KENTUCKY:
Class 2: Walter "Dee" Huddleston (D-KY)
Class 3: Wendell Ford (D-KY)

*LOUISIANA:
Class 2: John Bennett Johnston (D-LA)
Class 3: Russell Billou Long (D-LA)

COMING UP IN CHAPTER 11 OF THE AMERICAN REPUBLIC: Part III of the List of United States Senators from the 51 States!

 

[Sergeant Foley]

List of United States Senators (Part III)
Thursday, February 5, 1981
​

*MAINE:
Class 1: George J. Mitchell (D-ME)
Class 2: William Cohen (R-ME)

*MARYLAND:
Class 1: Paul Sarbanes (D-MD)
Class 3: Charles Mathias (R-MD)

*MASSACHUSETTS:
Class 1: Edward Moore "Ted" Kennedy (D-MA)
Class 2: Paul Tsongas (D-MA)

*MICHIGAN:
Class 1: Donald Riegle (D-MI)
Class 2: Carl Levin (D-MI)

*MINNESOTA:
Class 1: David Durenberger (R-MN)
Class 2: Rudy Boschwitz (R-MN)

*MISSISSIPPI:
Class 1: Ray Mabus (D-MS): Appointed to the US Senate seat by Mississippi Governor William F. Winter (D) on 16 January 1981 following the resignation of United States Senator William Allain (D-MS); special election to take place in May 1981.
Class 2: Thad Cochran (R-MS)

*MISSOURI:
Class 1: John Danforth (R-MO)
Class 3: Thomas Eagleton (D-MO)

*MONTANA:
Class 1: John Melcher (D-MT)
Class 2: Max Baucus (D-MT)

*NEBRASKA:
Class 1: Edward Zorinsky (D-NE)
Class 2: J. James Exon (D-NE)

*NEVADA:
Class 1: Howard Cannon (D-NV)
Class 3: Paul Laxalt (R-NV)

COMING UP IN CHAPTER 11 OF THE AMERICAN REPUBLIC: Part IV of the List of United States Senators from the 51 States!

 

[Sergeant Foley]

List of United States Senators (Part IV)
Thursday, February 5, 1981
​

*NEW HAMPSHIRE:
Class 2: Gordon J. Humphrey (R-NH)
Class 3: Warren Rudman (R-NH)

*NEW JERSEY:
Class 1: Harrison A. Williams (D-NJ)
Class 2: Bill Bradley (D-NJ)

*NEW MEXICO:
Class 1: Harrison Schmitt (R-NM)
Class 2: Peter Domenici (R-NM)

*NEW YORK STATE:
Class 1: Daniel Patrick Moynihan (D-NY St)
Class 3: Al D'Amato (R-NY St)

*NORTH CAROLINA:
Class 2: Jesse Helms (R-NC)
Class 3: John Porter East (R-NC)

*NORTH DAKOTA:
Class 1: Quentin Burdick (D-ND)
Class 3: Mark Andrews (R-ND)

*OHIO:
Class 1: Howard Metzenbaum (D-OH)
Class 3: John Glenn (D-OH)

*OKLAHOMA:
Class 2: David Boren (D-OK)
Class 3: Don Nickles (R-OK)

COMING UP IN CHAPTER 11 OF THE AMERICAN REPUBLIC: Part V of the List of United States Senators from the 51 States!

 

[Sergeant Foley]

List of United States Senators (Part V)
Thursday, February 5, 1981
​

*OREGON:
Class 2: Mark Hatfield (R-OR)
Class 3: Bob Packwood (R-OR)

*PENNSYLVANIA:
Class 1: John Heinz (R-PA)
Class 3: Arlen Specter (R-PA)

*PUERTO RICO:
Class 1: Juan H. Cinton Garcia (D-PR)
Class 2: Luis A. Ferre (R-PR)

*RHODE ISLAND:
Class 1: John Chafee (R-RI)
Class 2: Claiborne Pell (D-RI)

*SOUTH CAROLINA:
Class 2: Strom Thurmond (R-SC)
Class 3: Ernest "Fritz" Hollings (D-SC)

*SOUTH DAKOTA:
Class 2: Larry Pressler (R-SD)
Class 3: James Abdnor (R-SD)

*TENNESSEE:
Class 1: Jim Sasser (D-TN)
Class 2: Howard Baker (R-TN): Senate Majority Leader

*TEXAS:
Class 1: Lloyd Bentsen (D-TX)
Class 2: Mark Wells White, Jr., (D-TX)

*UTAH:
Class 1: Orrin Hatch (R-UT)
Class 3: Jake Garn (R-UT)

*VERMONT:
Class 1: Robert Stafford (R-VT)
Class 3: Patrick Leahy (D-VT)

*VIRGINIA:
Class 1: Lawrence Douglas Wilder (D-VA)
Class 2: John Warner (R-VA)

*WASHINGTON:
Class 1: Daniel Jackson Evans (R-WA) Appointed to the US Senate seat on 20 January 1981 by Washington Governor John Spellman (R) following the resignation of United States Senator Henry M. "Scoop" Jackson (D-WA), who was confirmed as US Secretary of Defense under President Ronald Wilson Reagan.
Class 3: Slade Gorton (R-WA)

*WEST VIRGINIA:
Class 1: Robert Byrd (D-WV): Senate Minority Leader
Class 2: Jennings Randolph (D-WV)

*WISCONSIN:
Class 1: William Proxmire (D-WI)
Class 3: Bob Kasten (R-WI)

*WYOMING:
Class 1: Malcolm Wallop (R-WY)
Class 2: Alan Simpson (R-WY)

 

[Sergeant Foley]

LONDON TIMES SAVED BY AUSSIE PRESS BARON
*Friday, February 13, 1981: Australian press baron Rupert Murdoch purchased the venerable London newspaper, The Times and also the companion publication The Sunday Times following theee weeks of negotiations with union leaders.

STARDUST FIRE RESULTS IN 48 DEATHS; 214 INJURIES
*Saturday, February 14, 1981: More than 700 people were attending a Valentine's Day party at the Stardust nightclub when flames broke out in different parts of the building around 1:30 AM.

PETTY WINS 7TH DAYTONA 500 CHAMPIONSHIP
*Sunday, February 15, 1981: NASCAR driver Richard Petty wins the Daytona 500 for the 7th and final time.

GRENADE EXPLODES AT PAKISTAN'S NATIONAL STADIUM IN KARACHI
*Monday, February 16, 1981: 20 minutes before Pope John Paul II's Mass at the National Stadium in Karachi with 70,000 people in attendance, the person holding a hand grenade exploded killing him instantly; explosion occurred in the stairway behind VIP grandstand; the Pontiff was in the middle of his 12-day tour of the Asian Pacific, following his departure from Rome.

REAGAN ISSUES EXECUTIVE ORDER #12291
*Tuesday, February 17, 1981: US President Ronald Reagan issued Executive Order #12291, which has major political ramifications going forward inside the United States. This requires executive branch agencies cannot issue new rules and regulations without submitting proposals to the OIRA including cost-benefit analysis.

PRESIDENT REAGAN PROPOSES 83 MAJOR PROGRAM CUTS; TELLS CONGRESS THE UNITED STATES FACES DAY OF RECKONING
*Wednesday, February 18, 1981: In his 35-minute Address to Joint Session of Congress, President Reagan outlined details packages of reforms aimed at aggressively reducing both inflation and unemployment by reducing federal government spending including domestic spending altogether and cutting the federal income tax.

SINATRA CLEARED OF ALLEGED MAFIA TIES; GETS GAMING LICENSE REINSTATED AFTER 18 YEARS
*Thursday, February 19, 1981: Entertainer Frank Sinatra was cleared of longstanding allegations of involvement with organized crime and ties to the mafia. The Nevada Gaming Commission voted 4-1 in favor of reinstating Sinatra's gaming license.

ARGENTINIAN AIRLINER ALMOST HITS WORLD TRADE CENTER
*Friday, February 20, 1981: Collision between Aerolinas Argentines Flight 342 and the atenna of Tower One of the World Trade Center was averted with air traffic controller Donald Zimmerman, who ordered the pilot of the Argentinian aircraft to turn rightward and to climb.

PONTIFF URGES MAJOR FAITHS DIALOGUE
*Saturday, February 21, 1981: Pope John Paul II delivered his annual broadcast from Radio Veritas in Manila, Philippines; proposing to meet with representatives of the world's major religions.

DEUKMEJIAN ANNOUNCES CAMPAIGN FOR CALIFORNIA GOVERNORSHIP IN 1982
*Sunday, February 22, 1981: With California Governor Edmund G. "Jerry" Brown, Jr., (D) choosing to run for the United States Senate in 1982, it came as no surprise that California State Attorney General George Deukmejian (R) confirmed he plans on running for the Governor's Mansion next year, which will set up a primary showdown with California Lieutenant Governor Mike Curb (R) on the Republican side while the Democrats will be united behind Los Angeles Mayor Tom Bradley (D), who launched his campaign for the Governorship in December 1980 after Brown on 27 October 1980 chose not to seek reelection in 1982 which shocked many political observers, preferring to challenge incumbent United States Senator Sam I. Hayakawa (R-CA) instead. Analysts anticipate San Diego Mayor Pete Wilson (R) to campaign for the United States Senate potentially challenging the controversial first-term incumbent United States Senator on the Republican primary; US Rep. Barry M. Goldwater, Jr., (R-CA) is also announcing his campaign for the United States Senate as well. Sources indicate there could be massive amounts of pressure on Hayakawa to abandon his reelection campaign due to disastrous polling numbers.

Setting a chain of musical chairs: Former State Assembly Speaker Leo T. McCarthy (D-San Francisco) announced plans on running for Lieutenant Governor to succeed Curb; Los Angeles County District Attorney John Van de Kamp (D) running for the Attorney Generalship succeeding Deukmejian.

FRANQUISTA COUP ATTEMPT FAILS
*Monday, February 23, 1981: Disgruntled Spanish Army Lieutenant Colonel Antonio Tejero Molina and 200 members of the Guardia Civil launched a botched coup attempt which was called The Tejeraeo by taking over the Spanish Congress of Deputies, seizing the Cortes Building and taking over 347 lawmakers hostage. Following long hours of uncertainty, King Juan Carlos I refused to accede to the coup plotters' demands and announced on nationwide television that he had full support of the Spanish Armed Forces; the coup attempt failed and those responsible were arrested quickly.

IT'S OFFICIAL: THEY'RE ENGAGED BOTH CROWN PRINCE CHARLES AND LADY DIANA SPENCER CONFIRM NEWS
*Tuesday, February 24, 1981: Crown Prince Charles of Wales and Lady Diana Spencer announced their engagement and confirm wedding will be taking place in late July (more on that later in Chapter 12).

ROBLES MAKES STATE VISIT TO IRAN
*Wednesday, February 25, 1981: Mexican President General Oscar Robles made a State Visit to Iran, where he met with Queen Farah Pahlavi and members of the Iranian Royal Family in Tehran at the Royal Palace during a grand red carpet Welcoming Honors Ceremony which included 21 Cannon Salute; playing of the respective national anthems of Mexico and Iran; Honor Guard Inspection. Accompanied by his daughter, Louise who is serving as Official Hostess subbing in for her stepmother, Mexican First Lady Fernanda Arizmendi, who hasn't been seen in public since her husband's third inauguration at the National Palace on 17 December 1980. Official statement by the Mexican military government says only "The health situation of Fernanda Arizmendi, First Lady of the United Mexican States is a state secret and will remaim so indefinitely." Robles is in the midst of a seven-nation tour in the Middle East: Iran, Egypt, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, and Israel.

CHUN REELECTED ROK PRESIDENT IN OVERWHELMING LANDSLIDE
*Although the ROK government still controlled indirect presidential elections, Republic of Korea President Chun Doo-hwan was overwhelmingly reelected to a second term, this time a seven-year term of office garnering 4.755 votes and 90.23% of the nationwide vote. According to official figures, 78.1% of registered voters participated which resulted in giving Chun's Democratic Justice Party one of the largest supermajorities in the Electoral College by garnering 9,250,262 votes (60.71%) and 3,667 seats overall; while the main opposition political party, Democratic Korea Party managed to get 411 seats and 1,778,007 votes.

BENTSEN, WRIGHT ENDORSE SENATOR WHITE'S CAMPAIGN FOR TEXAS GOVERNOR'S MANSION IN 1982
*Thursday, February 26, 1981: United States Senator Lloyd Bentsen (D-TX) and US House Majority Leader Jim Wright (D-TX) both announced their endorsements of United States Senator Mark W. White, Jr., (D-TX) for the Texas Governor's Mansion in 1982 despite the fact an official announcement won't be coming until sometime in early June according to sources familiar with the Junior United States Senator's plans.

Houston Chronicle reported US Reps. Mickey Leland (D-TX) and Henry B. Gonzalez (D-TX) are also announcing plans to endorse Senator White's expected gubernatorial campaign as well. And the San Antonio Express News confirmed former Texas Governor Dolph Briscoe (D), who had originally considered making a comeback of reclaiming his old job, but ultimately chose not to do so, announced his endorsement of his young protege.

IT'S OFFICIAL: EDWIN EDWARDS CAMPAIGNING TAKING HIS OLD JOB: THE LOUISIANA GOVERNOR'S MANSION IN 1983
*Friday, February 27, 1981: During a campaign fundraiser in Baton Rouge, former Louisiana Governor Edwin Washington Edwards (D) confirmed he will be seeking to reclaim the Louisiana Governor's Mansion in 1983 and if successful, Edwards will become the first Louisiana Governor to serve three full terms with 12 years. Polling surveys show Edwarda trouncing incumbent Louisiana Governor David C. Treen (R) somewhere between 25-37 percentage points in head-to-head matchups.

COULD VIRGINIA POLITICS BE TURNED UPSIDE DOWN: DECISION ON WILDER'S POLITICAL FUTURE IS EXPECTED SOMETIME IN LATE MAY
*Saturday, February 28, 1981: Over inside the Old Dominion, United States Senator L. Douglas Wilder (D-VA) hasn't opened up about his political future regarding seeking reelection in 1982 when it's expected the National Republican Senate Campaign Committee will be aggressively targeting to defeat Wilder next year. Sources in Richmond expect the Old Dominion's Senior United States Senator to announce his political future sometime in late May; political analysts believe if Wilder seeks reelection and wins in 1982, he'll be a future contender for the Vice Presidency on a future Democratic ticket in 1984 or 1988. However if Wilder chooses not to seek reelection, the Virginia Democratic Party will be hard pressed to find a candidate in holding onto Wilder's US Senate seat.

 

[Sergeant Foley]

CHUN INAUGURATED FOR SECOND TERM AS 12TH REPUBLIC OF KOREA PRESIDENT

ROK President Chun Doo-hwan delivering his second Inaugural Address as the 12th President of the Republic of Korea inside the Jamsil Arena Stadium in Seoul, Republic of Korea which was aired on the major television networks across the Republic of Korea. ​

*Tuesday, March 3, 1981: ROK President Chun Doo-hwan was inaugurated for a second term as the 12th President of the Republic of Korea inside the Jamsil Arena Stadium. He also commuted the sentences of 5,521 prisoners with at least 3,400 others released from incarceration.

CBS SPORTS BUYS BROADCASTING RIGHTS FOR NCAA MEN'S BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT
*Wednesday, March 4, 1981: CBS Sports paid amount of $48 million for the broadcasting rights of broadcasting the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament for about three years; they did it by successfully outbidding NBC, which had built the popularity of the playoffs since 1969.

HIJACKING SCARE OF CONTINENTAL AIRLINES
*Thursday, March 5, 1981: A disgruntled fired employee from the Los Angeles International Airport took his frustrations out on Continental Airlines Flight 72 by hijacking the aircraft. The disgruntled employee named Victor Malasauskas had brought with him a 9-mm automatic pistol after buying a first-class seat on the flight which was being bound from LAX to Phoenix, Arizona. Due to her alertness, a flight attendant noticed Malasauskas had a concealed weapon; all but four passengers and two other flight attendants were able to get off of the airplane before he figured out he had been spotted. Later in the day, the last of the hostages escaped; Malasauskas also claimed that he had an explosive bomb on the airplane, which was later proven to be false and was then sentenced to 20 years in prison.

CRONKITE SIGNS OFF CBS EVENING NEWS ANCHORMAN FOR THE FINAL TIME AFTER 19 YEARS

​

*Friday, March 6, 1981: Following 19 years being the main evening weeknight anchorman of CBS Evening News, Walter Cronkite signed off of the weeknight evening show since 19 April 1962 and will be replaced by Dan Rather.

COUP SUSPECTS ARRESTED BY DOMINICAN GOVERNMENT
*Saturday, March 7, 1981: Dominican Prime Minister Eugenia Charles announced the arrests of former Prime Minister Patrick John and Defence Force Commander Frederick Newton. Charles explained that a coup d'etat had been planned against her government for 14 March 1981; she also added "I would hope that death would be the penalty, but I can't say that for sure."

TRAIN WRECKAGE IN ARGENTINE REPUBLIC KILLS 45 DURING HOLIDAY RIDE
*Sunday, March 8, 1981: In the Argentine Republic: an express train which was bringing around 800 passengers crashed into two derailed fuel tanker cars, killing 45 people and injuring 120 others. Known as the "Firefly" Express, the train was returning to Buenos Aires from the seaside resort of Mar del Plata.

RATHER ERA BEGINS AT CBS NEWS
*Monday, March 9, 1981: Dan Rather, who replaced the legendary Walter Cronkite, begins his debut as the main anchorman for the CBS Evening News.

 

[Sergeant Foley]

The Police Commissioner and his Beautiful Wife!
Entertainment Industry Installments: Movie Mysteries Specials

17 February 1973: Rock Hudson and Susan Saint James: The duo, who portrayed San Francisco Police Department Commissioner Stuart McMilland and Sally Hull McMillan.
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One of the three original NBC Mystery Movie series that made its debut in the Fall of 1971, "McMillan & Wife" was viewed as comedy-tinged mystery which was created by executive producer Leonard B. Stern, who had wracked quite a list of accomplishments that included writing and producing credits on shows such as "The Honeymooners"; "Phil Silvers Show"; "I'm Dickens, He's Fenster" including the well-known "Get Smart" (which would go onto having a remake movie decades later during the 2010s).

The Series Pilot episode was called "Once Upon a Dead Man" which many assumed would be debuting on 29 September 1971, just one week following the premiere of "McCloud". However, there were some problems: Stern wasn't sure how the pilot episode (which was consisted of two hours) would get received well by the network executives of CBS, ABC and NBC. He figured out that his teleflick wouldn't be consisted of the typical police procedural television series, but it would be quite different and by that different, Stern was going to flex things out of the box. The two-hour movie made its official debut on 17 September 1971, just a few days following the launch of "Columbo."

Almost immediately, Stern tapped the secretive Rock Hudson to portray the role of Stuart McMillan, former US Navy veteran with a previous career in the Central Intelligence Agency as well as working as a defense attorney, to become the Police Commissioner of the San Francisco Police Department. Not wanting to be risking doing long-term small screen commitments, Hudson was lobbied personally by Stern that Once Upon a Dead Man was doing so well that NBC asked Hudson to reconsider his resistance, so in fact, he decided to reprise the role. "Once Rock got involved," Paul Mason, one of the executive producers of the show, "McMillan & Wife got the highest priority" and was quickly tagged to becoming the third spoke of the primary Mystery Movie wheel on the NBC Network.

In order to cast the role of Susan Hull McMillan, Stern spoke to several actresses such as Diane Keaton (from the "Godfather" trilogy movies) and Jill Clayburgh. During a lunchtime get-together in Los Angeles, California between Stern, Hudson and the gorgeous Susan Saint James, who was in her mid 20s and a lovely brunette who had portrayed the sexy Charlene Brown in "It Takes a Thief", which resulted in Saint James winning an Emmy for her portrayal of Peggy Maxwell in "The Name of the Game", had ultimately won Saint James second billing on the series. According to Stern, Hudson was quite comfortable with Saint James and it was an easy decision to have her cast as Sally McMillan.

Joining cast included Gretchen Corbett of "The Rockford Files", who portrayed Mac's sister, Megan McMillan; Mildred Natwick of "The Snoop Sisters", who portrayed his mother, Beatrice McMillan; John Schuck, the always funny and bumbling official assistant to the police commissioner, portrayed Sergeant Charles Enright and Nancy Walker, who portrayed the McMillan's imperfect and grumpy housekeeper. The popularity of the show had continued for remaining Seasons non-stop on the NBC Network.

Managing to restructure contract disputes, Stern and the producers managed to keep Saint James on the show for additional Seasons but with a twist: Following the end of the sixth (1976-77) Season, Hudson shocked everyone by announcing his exit from the popular show and from that point onward, there were strong dramatic changes; Yet, despite Hudson's abrupt exit (he would be replaced by William Shatner, who portrayed Stuart's cousin, William McMillan a US Marine Corps veteran and law enforcement officer of the San Francisco Police Department) so NBC decided to keep the moneymaker going non-stop, they changed the title to "The McMillan's" which continued for four additional Seasons until late May 1981 although the NBC Mystery Movie wheel continued showing films.

Following the end of "McMillan & Wife", Saint James went onto appear in several small and large-screen films before landing television series shows like "Katie & Allie" (1984-89), family sitcom in which she co-stared with Jane Curtin. She would also appear on "The Drew Carey Show"; "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit".

As for Hudson, he went to star in the 1979 miniseries "The Martian Chronicles" and also in "The Mirror Crack'd" (1980). He also landed a recurring role on ABC's "Dynasty", but his physical health took chaotic turns and twists. Hudson suffered a heart attack in November 1981 which strongly required quintuple heart surgery bypass, which sidelined Hudson an entire year. Despite recovering from the surgery, Hudson continued smoking non-stop and while filming "The Ambassador" in Israel, Hudson's health continued getting much worse. Things continued to escalate three years later in 1984, when Hudson's health continued declining faster which quickly fed speculation that the former leading man of the 1950s and 1960s films, was suffering from multiple health ailments due to the shocking gaunt appearance.

Hudson attended a White House State Dinner on 15 May 1984 with future US President George HW Bush honoring Mexican President General Oscar Robles less than three weeks before his shocking diagnosis: In June 1984, Hudson was diagnosed with HIV and he had tried desperately keeping his deadly diagnosis a secret as his showbiz career continued. Less than a year later, Hudson announced his HIV diagnosis and died of the deadly disease on 2 October 1985.

COMING UP IN THE AMERICAN REPUBLIC: Profiles on "McCloud" and "Banaceck" in the NBC Movie Mystery Specials including profiles on ABC television shows "TJ Hooker" and "Hart to Hart".

 

[Sergeant Foley]

DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL COMMITTEE: DECISION ON 1984 DNC CONVENTION TO BE MADE SOON
*Tuesday, March 10, 1981: With the 1984 Presidential election only three years away, there's debate on where to hold the upcoming 1984 DNC Convention. Speculation is that among the cities being mentioned: Atlanta, Georgia; Chicago, Illinois; New Orleans, Louisiana; Denver, Colorado; Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Sources indicate a final decision will be made sometime following the Summer.

PRESIDENT REAGAN ENDORSES WILSON FOR UNITED STATES SENATOR
*Wednesday, March 11, 1981: San Diego Tribune reported that President Ronald Reagan has officially endorsed San Diego Mayor Pete Wilson (R) for the United States Senate in 1982. The move comes as there's strong indication that incumbent United States Senator Sam Hayakawa (R-CA) is expected to announce his political quite shortly in the coming days or weeks.

CLEMENTS SEEKING REELECTION AS TEXAS GOVERNOR IN 1982; SETTING UP LIKELY SHOWDOWN WITH SENATOR WHITE NEXT FALL

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*Thursday, March 12, 1981: Buyoed by his aggressive GOTV efforts of flipping Texas into the Republican column in campaigning for President Reagan and Vice President Bush in 1980, Texas Governor William P. Clements (R) announced he plans on seeking reelection in 1982, where political analysts anticipate a likely showdown with arch-rival United States Senator Mark W. White, Jr., (D-TX) next fall.

Clements also plans on spending millions and possibly more to get reelected if necessary. Polling surveys have Clements as a slight favorite while experts and pundits suggest Clements will have a big dogfight on his hands because out of all the Democratic contenders, Senator White is going to be tougher to go after considering his moderate-to-conservative voting record in the United States Senate.

Both President Reagan and Vice President Bush announced their endorsement of Clements' reelection campaign as well as former US Defense Secretary John G. Tower ; former Texas Governors Allan Shivers ; John B. Connally; Preston Smith including former Texas State Attorneys General Gerald Mann; John Ben Shepperd; Will Wilson; Waggoner Carr.

For White's part, the Lone Star State's Junior United States Senator is expected to make his gubernatorial campaign launch official sometime around in June according to the Austin American Statesman.

 

[Sergeant Foley]

Summary of College Football
Recap of the 1978 and 1979 Seasons (Part I)

Legendary Alabama Crimson Tide Football Head Coach Paul "Bear" Bryant with assistant coach Sylvester Croom during the 1979 Sugar Bowl Game.​

Coming into the 1978 Season, Paul William "Bear" Bryant, the legendary head coach of the University of Alabama Football Team with four national championships (1961, 1964, 1965 and 1973) including eleven Southeastern Conference Championships (1950, 1961, 1964, 1965, 1966, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1975 and 1977) had been working on efforts in getting rid of cheating in college football; Bryant had been one of several coaches being quoted by the Associated Press, who advocated for a specific rule which included having coaches notifying the NCAA of suspected or illegal infraction activities effective immediately and getting it done very quickly instead of the long-dragged out process of complaining about the rules following a loss in a regular season game.

Injuries among several players of the football team caused many of whom being held out during the annual Alabama Day Spring football game on 20 April 1978. One of the major concerns was the knee injury to starting quarterback Steadham Shealy, which also concerned Bryant the most. "Our 1978 team will have a very questionable offense, an average kicking game and a good defense." Despite losing at home to #7 Southern California at Legion Field in Birmingham, Alabama by a score of 24-14 (where Alabama had been ranked #1) on 23 September 1978, the Crimson Tide finished the regular season with eight consecutive victories and winning the Southeastern Conference Championship following their 34-16 victory over Auburn at Legion Field, finishing the regular season (10-1) and ranked #2 in the major polls.

Leading up to the 1978 Sugar Bowl against #1 Penn State Nittany Lions (11-0), where the legendary football coach Joe Paterno didn't want to face Alabama for obvious reasons: Crimson Tide had beaten the Nittany Lions 13-6 in the 1975 Sugar Bowl that year; Paterno and the Nittany Lions were working hard lobbying to play in a different bowl game, preferring to face the University of Oklahoma Sooners in the 1978 Orange Bowl where Penn State's vaulted and well-known defense would've been facing off against the Heisman Trophy winner, Billy Sims of Oklahoma (as the Sooners were led by Barry Switzer).

Knowing how to cajole and manipulate Paterno, Bryant recounted to him that the two teams faced off in the 1975 Sugar Bowl and would like to face off against the Nittany Lions once again. Paterno accepted and the match-up was basically ON! Fast forward to 1978 Sugar Bowl Game: where Alabama's defense held off the Nittany Lions' offense by a score of 14-7 winning their 10th national championship, giving him his fifth national championship: in what some college football analysts viewed as "Getting the championship ring on the thumb" as the Crimson Tide finished the 1978 Season with a record of (11-1) and a winning streak of nine games dating back to 30 September 1978.

Fast forward to the 1979 Season: Alabama continued their winning streak by capping off the decade of the 1970s with strong, amazing success with their seventh perfect season: 1925, 1930, 1934, 1945, 1961, 1966 and 1977 (where the Crimson Tide was snubbed of winning the national championship due to Notre Dame's blowout victory over Texas Longhorns in the 1977 Cotton Bowl Classic). Alabama's defense had recorded at least five shutouts, only allowing just two teams scoring into the double digits while the offensive firepower scored 30+ points at least seven times during the regular season. Alabama won their thirteenth Southeastern Conference Championship following their come-from-behind 25-18 victory against #14 Auburn on 1 December 1979, giving them their eighth overall undefeated perfect season with a record of (11-0) and ranked #2 in both of the major polls.

Alabama had faced off against the co-champions of the Southwestern Conference, #6 Arkansas Razorbacks (10-1) led by Lou Holtz. The Razorbacks defense had given up just 9.8 points per game in the 1979 Season, which was regarded as one of the sixth-best scoring defense in Division I College Football. Little did the Razorbacks realize of what they were going to be facing in the upcoming Sugar Bowl.

On 1 January 1980 inside the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana before an estimated crowd of 77,484 in attendance: the Crimson Tide, who were favored by around 10 1/2 points, crushed the Razorbacks in a blowout 73-9 victory: giving Coach Bryant his sixth national championship; the Most Valuable Player of the Game was given to Alabama Crimson Tide running back Major Ogilive, who had scored a touchdown in all three of the Crimson Tide Sugar Bowl victories (1977, 1978, 1979). All-American tackle for Alabama Jim Bunch summed it up like this: "There's a possibility we could play the Pittsburgh Steelers and they'd come out on top. Other than that, there's no doubt in my mind that we're the best team in college football." "I feel like we're very deserving of the honor of being Number 1," Coach Bryant said after the Crimson Tide completed their first perfect season (12-0) since 1977.
Following their recording of a very impressive triumph and fifth consecutive bowl victory in a row, Alabama had to sit back and await the outcome of the Rose Bowl Game between #1 Ohio State Buckeyes, the Big 10 Champions and #3 Southern Cal Trojans, the Pac-10 Champions.


COMING SOON IN THE AMERICAN REPUBLIC: PARTS II, III, IV AND V: INCLUDING SHORT RECAP OF THE 1978 AND 1979 SEASONS FROM THE FOLLOWING:
*1978 Cotton Bowl Classic between #10 Notre Dame Fighting Irish vs #9 Houston Cougars
*1978 Rose Bowl between #3 Southern California Trojans vs #5 Michigan Wolverines
*1978 Orange Bowl between #4 Oklahoma Sooners vs #6 Nebraska Cornhuskers
*1978 Gator Bowl between #7 Clemson Tigers vs #20 Ohio State Buckeyes (I'll be doing research on this bowl game and the downfall of the legendary Woody Hayes, who got so triggered by punching one of the Clemson players)
*1978 Fiesta Bowl between #8 Arkansas Razorbacks vs #15 UCLA Bruins
*Summary of the 1978 Season for the Texas Longhorns as Fred Akers settled into his own as the Longhorns Football Coach.

 

[Sergeant Foley]

FROSCHL WINS FIRST-EVER WORLD SPEEDCUBING CHAMPIONSHIP TOURNAMENT
*Friday, March 13, 1981: In the first-ever world speedcubing championship tournament in Munich, West Germany, Jury Froschl won the first competition with just under 38 seconds.

PIA FLIGHT 326 HIJACKED DURING FLIGHT FROM KARACHI
*Saturday, March 14, 1981: Three gunmen seized Pakistan International Airlines Flight 326 during the Boeing 720 jet's flight from Karachi to Peshawar on 2 March 1981; they killed one passenger; More than 100 people were held hostage as the hijackers commandeered the plane to Kabul, Afghanistan; In order to secure the release of the hostages of PIA Flight 326, the Pakistani government had to release 55 prisoners. After nearly two weeks, the hostages were finally released from captivity on the jet.

HAYAKAWA NOT SEEKING REELECTION AS CALIFORNIA'S UNITED STATES SENATOR IN 1982
*Sunday, March 15, 1981: Unpopular incumbent United States Senator Sam I. Hayakawa (R-CA) announced during a press conference in Bakersfield, California that he was not seeking reelection to a second six-year term as the Golden State's Junior United States Senator in 1982: "Serving Californians in the United States Senate has been the honor of my life, but I feel like that it is time for the next generation of Californians to continue leading the charge into the future."

REAGAN GIVES PUBLIC STATEMENT ON SAINT PATRICK'S DAY
*Monday, March 16, 1981: President Ronald Reagan delivered a public statement on the Observance of Saint Patrick's Day: "Nancy and I are delighted to wish a most Saint Patrick's Day to everyone. It has been said that "the Irish, like the presence of God, are to be found everywhere." And that is certainly true. Even the Reagan family, with roots in Ballyporeen, County Tipperary, is rumored to have a home in Washington DC. In the name of every American, we gratefully honor the contributions of Irish Americans in every walk of life down through our nation's history. Just as Saint Patrick brought the light of faith to Ireland, so Ireland, in turn, has given many gifted men and women to America. On this Saint Patrick's Day, let us remember all our great Irish Americans. And let all sons and daughters of Erin keep green their Irish heritage, for their own sake and for the continued enrichment of American life."

P2 SECRET SOCIETY EXPOSED IN ITALY
*Tuesday, March 17, 1981: The Propaganda Due Scandal explodes in Italy when law enforcement agencies raided the villa of Licio Gelli at Arezzo; they discovered a list of 962 members of the secret society called "P2", who were suspected of being involved in the embezzlement by Roberto Calvi of hundreds of millions of dollars from the Banco Administration.

GREATEST AMERICAN HERO DEBUTS ON ABC NETWORK

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*Wednesday, March 18, 1981: The American Television Show, "The Greatest American Hero" premieres on America's Broadcasting Company (ABC) starring William Katt, the son of Bill Williams and Barbara Hale; Katt portrayed the leading character Ralph Hinckley, an ordinary teacher who was given super powers but not the knowledge of controlling them.

ARKANSAS BECOMES FIRST US STATE/TERRITORY TO TEACH CREATIONISM
*Thursday, March 19, 1981: Following the passage of Senate Resolution 590 in the Democratic-controlled Arkansas House of Representatives (69-18) and Democratic-controlled Arkansas State Senate (22-2), the legislation was signed into law by Arkansas Governor Frank Durward White (R); making Arkansas the first US State/Territory to requiring Arkansas teachers to teach Creationism.

INTERNATIONAL GROUP OF PHYSICIANS GATHERING IN VIRGINIA WARNING OF NUCLEAR EFFECTS
*Friday, March 20, 1981: The first world congress of the International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War, convened in Arlie, Virginia with 80 physicians from 12 countries in attendance.

RACIALLY-CHARGED MURDER IN ALABAMA
*Saturday, March 21, 1981: Michael Donald, an African American man who had been picked at random by pairs of racists, was kidnapped, tortured and violently murdered in Mobile, Alabama by James Llewelyn Knowles and Henry F. Hayes, two members of the UKA.

FIRST MONGOLIAN TO TRAVEL IN OUTER SPACE
*Sunday, March 22, 1981: Jugderdemidiin Gurragchaa becomes the first person from the Republic of Mongolia to traveling into outer space, launched on Soyuz 39.

MAIL RATE GOING UPWARD TO 18 CENTS
*Monday, March 23, 1981: The cost of mailing letters in the United States increased 20%, as the price of the first-class stamp was increased from 15 cents to 18 cents.

NEO NAZI PROPAGANDA SEIZED IN WEST GERMANY
*Tuesday, March 24, 1981: The Federal Republic of West Germany carried out one of the largest crusades against the Nazis since the country's founding in 1949; raiding hundreds of homes of suspected Neo-Nazi sympathizers and members by confiscating party literature and propaganda.

GOLDWATER, JR., ANNOUNCES CAMPAIGN FOR THE UNITED STATES SENATE
*Wednesday, March 25, 1981: Seven-term US Rep. Barry Goldwater, Jr., (R-CA) , the son of United States Senator Barry Goldwater, Sr., (R-AZ), announced his campaign for the United States Senate in 1982, facing off against three-term San Diego Mayor Pete Wilson (R) in the Republican primary in June 1982 fir the right to succeed outgoing United States Senator Sam Hayakawa (R-CA), who on 15 March, announced announced he wasn't going to be seeking reelection. The winner of the Republican primary will face off against the likely Democratic party nominee, California Governor Edmund G. "Jerry" Brown, Jr., (D) next November.

BURNETT WINS $1.6 MILLION LIBEL SUIT
*Thursday, March 26, 1981: American comedian Carol Burnett wins a grand jury verdict $1.6 million against the National Enquirer for libel. In the 12 March 1976 issue, the Enquirer had run a story alleging Burnett had been disruptive in a Washington restaurant and implying that the comedian was drunk.

COAL MINERS STRIKE AS CONTRACT EXPIRES
*Friday, March 27, 1981: The United Mine Worlers went on strike at 12:00 AM with about 160,000 American coal miners walking off of their jobs.

MAHRE WINS WORLD SKIING CHAMPIONSHIP
*Saturday, March 28, 1981: Phillip Mahre makes history becoming the first American skier to win the World Skiing Championship.

VIOLA INAUGURATED AS THE 41ST PRESIDENT OF THE ARGENTINE REPUBLIC

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*Sunday, March 29, 1981: Army General Roberto Eduardo Viola was inaugurated as the 41st President of the Argentine Republic during a special ceremony inside the National Congress Building in Buenos Aires; Viola succeeds former President Lieutenant General Jorge Rafael Videla, who had been in office since 29 March 1976.

 

[Sergeant Foley]

CBS NEWS SPECIAL REPORT:
BREAKING NEWS: SHOTS FIRED AT PRESIDENT REAGAN
2:27 PM EST, Monday, March 30, 1981
Washington Hilton Hotel
Washington, DC.

President Ronald Reagan waving to the crowd and reporters outside of the Washington Hilton Hotel. Secret Service agent Jerry Parr (wearing the white trench-coat); White House Press Secretary Jim Brady; White House Deputy Chief of Staff Michael Deaver; Washington DC Metropolitan Police Department police officer Thomas Delahanty and Secret Service agent Tim McCarthy.
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*President Reagan wounded; hospitalized, undergoing surgery; doctors expect good recovery in the coming days
*Condition of White House Press Secretary Jim Brady unclear
*Washington DC Metropolitan Police Department police officer Thomas Delahanty wounded; Secret Service agent Tim McCarthy also wounded in the shooting.
*Developments still coming in.
*Vice President George HW Bush flying on Air Force Two from his home state of Texas, heading to Washington, DC
*National Security Council holding closed door meeting at the White House.

Dan Rather: "Good afternoon Ladies and Gentlemen, CBS News is interrupting your regularly scheduled program of "As The World Turns" for an important major development that had just broke out. We've been getting reports that shots have been fired at President Ronald Reagan about a little over sixteen minutes ago, at 2:27 PM EST. The President was on his way back to the White House after giving a speech at the Washington Hilton Hotel before the AFL-CIO. As we're hearing, shots were fired at the President from a greeting crowd called "The President's Walk" on Florida Avenue, where reporters had been waiting. We're going to turn it over to our reporter next to the building where the tragedy occurred. What do we know?"

Reporter #1: "Good afternoon Dan, about 19 minutes ago, President Ronald Reagan was leaving the Washington Hilton Hotel toward his waiting limousine as a disturbed man inside the crowd of supporters opened fire at the leader of the free world and most highest leader of the federal government, firing six shots. Mike Putzel of the Associated Press shouted at President Reagan with the words "Mr. President------", when the six shots were fired. According to eyewitnesses, the first shot struck White House Press Secretary Jim Brady in the head which passed through underneath his brain and shattered his brain cavity exploding upon impact causing brain matter splattering over some of the eyewitnesses; Washington DC Metropolitan Police Department police officer Thomas Delahanty quickly heard the gunshot sounds and turned around left to the suspected shooter (who's in custody), while he was doing so, Officer Delahanty was struck in the back of his neck by the second shot, the bullet had ricocheted off his spine; falling on top of Mr. Brady, Delahanty screamed "I am hit!" The third shot missed President Reagan, which instead struck the window of a building across the street. Secret Service agent Tim McCarthy was hit by the fourth shot, being struck in the lower abdomen, which then traversed his right lung, diaphragm and right lobe of the liver. Now the fifth shot hit the bullet-proof glass of the window of the open rear door of the presidential limousine and finally, the sixth shot ricocheted off the armored side of the limousine, passing between the space of the open rear door and vehicle frame, hitting President Reagan in the left underarm. Now this final shot grazed one of his ribs and was lodged in his lung, causing it to partially collapse before stopping less than an inch from his heart."

Rather: "Oh my goodness. How exactly did this happen? You would assume that stronger protection protocols are enforced especially after President Ford's assassination in 1975."

Reporter #1: "Dan, this will almost certainly be investigated extensively. From what we know, the Secret Service had extensively those attending the President's speech earlier in the day, but greatly erred by allowing an unscreened group to stand within 20 feet of the President, behind a rope line on the President's Walk."

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[Sergeant Foley]

......"General Alexander Fucking Haig was becoming a complete pain in the ass! From the moment he uttered these words "I am in charge here" while Vice President Bush flying in Air Force Two leaving Texas, it angered George and Barbara. It also angered and infuriated the Reagan's when they were notified by Haig's gaffe.

Despite his impressive and impeccable military service including stints as White House Chief of Staff and Ambassador to NATO, the man was hearing himself talk plus stroking his own annoying ego. I mean: C'mon!

I was tasked of finding some ways to sideline the Secretary of State by having him going overseas which was eagerly approved by the President himself when he returned home to the White House from the hospital. Haig's controversial objectives on foreign policy such as supporting the Argentine Republic's full sovereignty claims of the Falklands had infuriated British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher during a closed door meeting.

Let's just say Haig vowed never to get scolded like that ever again. "I'll find a way in putting that bitch in her place" he uttered before Cabinet meetings. I was startled and shocked Haig would say something like that about the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom; I intervened saying "General, that's NOT a good idea spouting ugly language like that. You need to immediately cease and desist right now!"

Haig stupidly doubled-down on his controversial comments about Thatcher, preferring to "See someone put a bullet in her head". After arguing with the Secretary of State including Ambassador Kirkpatrick of the United Nations, who also was aligned with Haig on supporting Argentine Republic's claims to the Falklands, was going to be causing some foreign policy headaches for this administration because something had to give."
Excerpt from "The Falklands and the Full Blown War between United Kingdom and the Argentine Republic"

 

[Sergeant Foley]

AUTHOR'S UPDATE: I will be flexing a flash-forward special instead of dragging out Spring 1981 but I will post maybe one final special of National and International Headlines from Spring 1981 before venturing into Summer 1981.

Be on the lookout for the flash-forward installments of Summer 1981.

 

[Sergeant Foley]

BAILEY FALLS TO GRUESOME DEATH DURING ATTEMPTED UNDERCAGE SINGLE-ENGINE AIRPLANE STUNT

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*Wednesday, April 1, 1981: Australian stuntman Jim Bailey unsuccessfully attempted to become the undercage of a single-engine airplane; Bailey's safety harness snapped during the flight, leaving him dangling under the front landing gear about 500 feet before ultimately falling to his death.

COUP ATTEMPT FAILS IN THAILAND
*Friday, April 3, 1981: Following two days of a coup attempt against the Thai government, the Thai Royal Armed Forces aggressively put down the botched coup attempt by retaking the capital city of Bangkok without any much resistance from rebels, who fled. Thai Prime Minister Prem Tinsulanonda took King Bhumibol Adulyadej and members of the Thai Royal Family to Karot.

OSBORNE 1 DEBUTS
*Preceding the launch of the IBM Personal Computer, the Osborne 1 was formally launched and introduced during the 7th Annual West Coast Computer Faire in San Francisco, California.

CISNEROS WINS SAN ANTONIO MAYORAL ELECTION IN LANDSLIDE VICTORY
*Saturday, April 4, 1981: San Antonio City Councilman Henry Cisneros (D) wins the Mayoral election in a landslide victory with 62% of the citywide vote; he becomes the youngest person elected to the Mayoralty at the age of 33. Cisneros will take office on 1 May 1981.

30 MASSACRED NEAR SAN SALVADOR
*Tuesday, April 7, 1981: National Guardsmen of the El Salvadoran National Guard drove into the neighborhood of Marel Carmelos, pulling out residents accused of rebellion against the government and brutally executed them. Reporters who arrived later found 30 bodies in the streets.

EXPLOSIONS KILLING 9 AT GRAIN ELAVATOR
*An explosion of grain elavator in Corpus Christi, Texas resulted in the deaths of 9 people; injuring 30 others.

LAST FIFTH-STAR WORLD WAR II GENERAL DIES

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*Wednesday, April 8, 1981: United States Army General of the Army Omar Bradley, the last of the fifth-star Generals passed away at the age of 88 in New York City, New York State from cardiac arrhythmia just minutes after receiving an award from the National Institute of Social Sciences.

 

[Sergeant Foley]

BREAKING NEWS ALERT: LEGENDARY HEAVYWEIGHT BOXING CHAMPION JOE LOUIS PASSES AWAY FROM HEART ATTACK; HE WAS 66 YEARS OLD.

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*Sunday, April 12, 1981: Legendary former heavyweight boxing champion Joseph Louis Barrow collapsed inside the bathroom of his residence in Las Vegas, Nevada at 9:30 AM PST. Efforts to reviving the boxing legend by Noel Larimer, the boxing champion's personal therapist and also by paramedics were unsuccessful and he was pronounced dead at Desert Springs Hospital in Paradise, Nevada. His wife of 22 years, Martha Jefferson Barrow was at his side when he passed. Louis is survived by his wife, Martha including six children: Jacqueline Barrow; Joseph Louis Barrow, Jr..,; Joe Louis Barrow, Jr.,; John Louis Barrow; Joyce Louis Barrow and Janet Louis Barrow. Hours earlier, Louis had attended the heavyweight championship fight between Larry Holmes and Trevor Berbick, which was his last public appearance on 11 April 1981.

"He was in cardiac arrest when he arrived," Shirley Brown, the nursing supervisor of Desert Spring Hospital said. "They did everything they could to revive him. He had been ill for quite some time. He had been hospitalized before." Asked about how the family is holding up, Ceasars Palace president Harry Ward said: "Mrs. Louis is taking it well as can be expected" "We're very shocked at what happened. He was at the fight last night. He was really enjoying himself and his pacemaker was working very well. He was looking forward to attending the Diana Ross Show tomorrow night at the hotel and then this morning he just collapsed. It's very sad."

Condolences came from all over the boxing community including several political leaders from both sides of the aisle.