It happened on… September 19

On September 19, the state funeral of Queen Elizabeth II takes place at Westminster Abbey in London, attended by members of her family and dignitaries from around the world.

The TV series “ER” starring George Clooney, Anthony Edwards, and Noah Wyle premieres on NBC.

"Doogie Howser, M.D."—starring Neil Patrick Harris as a teenage doctor—premieres on ABC.

The United States approves the use of AZT, the first drug recognized as a treatment for AIDS.

An 8.1-magnitude earthquake strikes Mexico City, killing nearly 10,000 people and leaving 250,000 homeless.

Scott Fahlman is the first person to use the emoticons and in a document.

The film “Ordinary People,” directed by Robert Redford and starring Donald Sutherland, Mary Tyler Moore, and Judd Hirsch, is released. (Best Picture, 1981).

One-legged runner Terry Fox is named a Companion of the Order of Canada for his marathon run across Canada to raise funds for cancer research. He is the youngest recipient of this honor.

The CBS show “The Mary Tyler Moore Show” premieres.

Chubby Checker's song “The Twist” reaches No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Singer Dalida becomes the first artist to receive a gold record in France for selling 300,000 copies of the song “Bambino.”

"Adventures of Superman," starring George Reeves, airs for the first time on television,

The plague epidemic in Bombay begins when Dr. Acacio Gabriel Viegas detects the first case in Mandvi. Twelve million people will lose their lives in India.

New Zealand becomes the first country in the world to grant women the right to vote.

Melville R. Bissell invents the carpet sweeper.

Jacques Boisdon opens the first tavern in Quebec City. However, the establishment remains closed during religious services.