1981


 * January: Apple Computer holds its first shareholders meeting as a public company.
 * January 20: 40th U.S. president Ronald Reagan is inaugurated.
 * February 7: Steve Wozniak survives crashing a plane that he was piloting, but suffers memory loss. As a result, Wozniak would take a leave of absence from Apple Computer.
 * February 25: CEO Michael Scott presides over Apple's first ever layoffs, firing over 30 employees from the Apple II team on "Black Wednesday", including Bob Bishop and Rick Aurrichio (who later returned).
 * March: Michael Scott is removed as CEO of Apple Computer.
 * September: Apple introduces the ProFile, a 5MB hard drive for the Apple III.
 * November: Apple Computer grows to over 2,500 employees and enters the French market. Kensington Microware Limited is founded as an early Apple II and IBM PC peripheral manufacturer.