Week of April 23, 1981

President Reagan says he is lifting the grain embargo against the Soviet Union.

White House Press secretary James Brady,

wounded in last month’s assassination

attempt on President Reagan, undergoes 5 ½

hours of non-urgent surgery to close an air

leak between his sinuses and his damaged

brain.

President Reagan, preparing for his first

major public appearance since he was shot,

returned to the White House to polish the

speech he will deliver to a joint session of

Congress. He appeared to favor his left side

as he walked toward the helicopter at Camp

David. Earlier, he told reporters he is still

suffering pain from his gunshot wound and

although the episode seems unreal to this

day, he wonders, too, “why this didn’t happen

27 times before.’ He disclosed his first

thought when he heard the gunfire was “to

take a look…. But the secret service man

behind me had a different idea.” He was

hurled in the limousine and knew he was

injured, but wasn’t sure if it was by gunfire.

“When I sat up on the seat, the pain wouldn’t

go away and suddenly, I found I was

coughing up blood.”

A bomb explodes in a bobby-trapped truck in

West Belfast, killing a policeman and

wounding three others.

A judge rules that Spiro T. Agnew violated his

public trust by accepting bribes as governor of Maryland and vice president of the

United States and must repay the state $248,735.

The Empire State Building turns 50 years old (May 1). Mayor Ed Koch has

proclaimed next week “Empire State Building Week.”

Week of April 23, 1981

Rep. Raymond Lederer (D-Pa.) the only member snared in the FBI’s Abscam

investigation to win re-election will resign effective May 5.

The annual rate of inflation drops to 7.5% in March.

Former President Jimmy Carter expects to finish his memoirs in a year, plans to

visit China next fall and says he and his wife have spent “the best three months

of our lives” I retirement. “But I’m finding that more and more difficult,” he told a

reporter.

Lady Diana Spencer’ s family left their 100-room

mansion for a secret hideaway, saying they had to

escape the picture-taking crowds that have

besieged them since their daughter’s engagement

to Prince Charles was announced. “I have never

been quite so unhappy in my life,” said Countess

Spencer, stepmother to 19-year-old Lady Diana.

The nation’s economy grows a strong annual rate

6.5% during the first quarter of this year.

Weds - Maureen Reagan and Dennis Revell in

Beverly Hills. It’s the third marriage for the

President’s daughter who is

40. Revell (28) is law clerk.

Brother Michael Reagan

attended the wedding - the

only Reagan to attend.

Abbie Hoffman, the 1960’s

protest movement leader

who spent six years

underground before his

surrender last year to face

drug charges, is on a hunger

strike in sympathy with jailed

IRA guerrilla Bobby sands,

who is reported near death

after 54 days of no food.

Passing - John A Roosevelt, son of the late President Franklin D. Roosevelt. He

was 65.

Week of April 23, 1981

Medical - the first government-controlled human tests of the purported cancer

treatment drug Laetrile show that it has not produced any substantial benefit, so

say scientists.

Sports -

Near Dallas - Boston Red Sox outfielders Carl Yastrzemski and Dwight Evans

were unscathed in a bloody three-car accident that killed three people and

virtually destroyed their taxi.

Baltimore pitcher Dennis Martinez is hit on the head by a beer bottle thrown from

the stands as he stood in the Orioles dugout in a game at Comiskey Park in

Chicago. A fan was caught and charged with the incident.

Music news -

In London - Ringo Starr marries New

York-born actress and model Barbara

Bach to the cheers of fans. They were

married at London’s Marylebone Registry

Office. Also attending - Paul McCartney

and wife Linda, Ringo’s mother, Elsie

and stepfather, Harry Gray. Ringo and

Barbara met when both were appearing

in the movie “Caveman.” They have been

constant companions for two years. She

was actually in the crowd back in 1965 when the Beatles appeared at Shea

Stadium.

Television news -

Producers of “Dallas” are wondering what to do after the death of star Jim Davis,

who portrayed Jock Ewing in the CBS drama.

ABC cancels “Soap” and “Vegas” among others. News shows to be added

include “The Fall Guy” starring Lee Majors and “Code Red” starring Lorne Green

as a Los Angeles fireman.

On Saturday Night Live - Strother Martin is guest host with

musical guests “The Specials.’

Monday night television -

CBS - Private Benjamin, The Two of Us, MASH, House

Calls, Lou Grant

Week of April 23, 1981

NBC - Little House on the Prairie, Armstrong Circle Theater Presents (see ad),

Tonight, Tomorrow

ABC - That’s Incredible, The American Dream, ABC News Closeup, Nightline

PBS - Great Performances, Here To make Music

That’s Incredible - A victim of spontaneous combustion relives his experience.

The American Dream (debut) - A family moves to an inner-city neighborhood.

Stars Stephen Macht and Karen Carlson.