Soon, the United States will face the largest budget deficits in its history. Reagan gives them 48 hours to return to work, and fires those who don't. Reagan appoints the first female Supreme Court Justice, Sandra Day O'Connor. Though he would have preferred a balanced budget, his priority is a strong defense. Anti-nuclear demonstrators gather in Hyde Park in London to protest deployment of Pershing II missiles in Europe.
Demonstrations also take place in Germany.
The U.S. sets a date for deployment of Pershing II missiles, while promising to cancel it if the Soviets dismantle all intermediate weapons targeted at Western Europe. Daughter Patti Davis comes to the forefront of the nuclear freeze movement in the Hollywood Bowl on Survival Sunday. Her opposition to her father's policies is considered personal as well as political. He predicts the ultimate triumph of freedom over communism. The nation sinks into its worst recession since the Great Depression.