In the view of a vast majority of Lawrence residents contacted, President Reagan had responded appropriately two days earlier when he announced limited sanctions against the Soviet Union for what he called the “Korean airline massacre.” Reagan said the United States had solid evidence that the Soviets shot down an unarmed Korean civilian airliner after it apparently had mistakenly strayed into Soviet air space. Americans were killed in the incident.

Thousands of area residents enjoyed a Labor Day weekend in the region through the use of such lakes as Perry and Clinton. Clinton drew more than 20,000 people for festivities. Kansas recorded its first fatality-free Labor Day weekend period since record-keeping had begun in 1951.

For the second time in a week, Joe Tong, Lecompton pilot-adventurer, set a U.S. and world speed record with his ultralight motorized glider. He had hit nearly 50 mph with his pontoon-equipped craft, operating off the Kansas River.