page_title: 1981
section_title: November
hierarchical_section_title: 1981 / Events / November
context_page_description: 1981 was a common year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar, the 1981st year of the Common Era and Anno Domini designations, the 981st year of the 2nd millennium, the 81st year of the 20th century, and the 2nd year of the 1980s decade.
context_section_description: November 1 – Antigua and Barbuda gain independence from the United Kingdom.
  November 9 – Slavery in Mauritania is abolished by Edict No. 81-234.
  November 12 – The Church of England General Synod votes to admit women to holy orders.
  November 16 – In U.S. soap opera General Hospital, Luke and Laura marry; it is the highest-rated hour in daytime television history.
  November 18 – COMDEX Fall: IBM introduces the IBM PC; Scientific Solutions announces the first PC add-in cards.
  November 22 – The Edmonton Eskimos (14-1-1) barely stave off defeat and win a record 4th consecutive Grey Cup in the Canadian Football League, at the 69th Grey Cup at Montréal's Olympic Stadium defeating the Ottawa Rough Riders (5-11-0) 26–23 in the final three seconds; after being down 20–1 at halftime.
  November 23
  Iran–Contra affair: U.S. President Ronald Reagan signs the top secret National Security Decision Directive 17 (NSDD-17), authorizing the Central Intelligence Agency to recruit and support Contra rebels in Nicaragua.
  1981 United Kingdom tornado outbreak, the largest recorded tornado outbreak in European history.
  November 25–26 – A group of mercenaries led by Mike Hoare take over Mahe airport in the Seychelles in a coup attempt. Most of them escape by a commandeered Air India passenger jet; six are later arrested.
  November 30–December 17 – Cold War: In Geneva, representatives from the United States and the Soviet Union attempt to negotiate intermediate-range nuclear weapon reductions in Europe; the meetings end inconclusively.
caption: November 1: Antigua and Barbuda.