44 years ago today, 13,000 members of the Professional Air Traffic Controllers Organization (PATCO) illegally went on strike. President Ronald Reagan issued a clear ultimatum: “If they do not report for work within 48 hours, they have forfeited their jobs and will be terminated.” Two days later, on August 5, he followed through—firing the 11,000 who hadn’t returned to work. As a former union leader, President Reagan believed strongly in workers’ rights but also in the rule of law and public trus