AUGUST 5

On this date in 1981, President Ronald Reagan fired 11,345 air traffic controllers who went on strike and refused his order to return to work.  The controllers were part of PATCO - a federal labor union.  Federal laws prohibit striking by federal union workers. 

Reagan's move was a big risk.  He declared the strike a National Emergency and issued the order.  If an air accident had occurred, he would have been hung. 

Military controllers were brought in and supervisors were also moved into controller duty.  New controllers were quickly hired and trained.  Reagan's gamble paid off.  He had only been in office for seven months but displayed the decisiveness that his backers expected.  Eight years later he had secured his legacy as one of the truly great American Presidents.