President Reagan with US Attorney General William French Smith making a statement to the press regarding the air
traffic controllers strike from the Rose Garden. White
House Photo/Ronald Reagan Library

On August 5, 1981, President Ronald Reagan began firing
11,359 air-traffic controllers striking in violation of his order
for them to return to work. The executive action, regarded
as extreme by many, significantly slowed air travel for
months.

Marilyn Monroe (born Norma Jeane Mortenson; June
1, 1926 – August 4, 1962)

Iconic Hollywood movie star Marilyn Monroe was found
dead in her Los Angeles home at age 36 on this day in
history, August 5, 1962.

Monroe died between 8:30 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. on August 
4, the toxicology report showed the cause of death was
acute barbiturate poisoning.

A brief investigation after her death resulted in conclusions
by the Los Angeles police that Monroe’s cause of death
was suicide.

1953

1959

On August 5, 1914, the German army launches its assault on
the city of Liege in Belgium, violating the latter country’s
neutrality and beginning the first battle of World War I.

German troops exploring the ruins of Liege after the city fell
to them in early August 1914.