On August 5, 1981, under orders from President Reagan, the federal government began firing air traffic controllers who had gone on strike two days previous for better pay, hours and working conditions. Learn more about the PATCO air traffic control strike. Listen to an excerpt of an August 3, 1981 speech by President Reagan (courtesy of the History Channel) emphasizing that the controllers had taken an oath not to strike against the government and threatening to terminate their jobs if they did not report for duty in 48 hours.

On August 5, 1960, Burkina Faso gained independence from France. Read the constitution of Burkina Faso.