Iranian Hostage Crisis
1979
From November 4 ,1979 to January 20 ,1981 about 60 american diplomats and citizens were held hostage for 444 days from 1979 to 1981. A group of Iranian students took the U.S. Embassy in Tehran hostage,the students supported the Iranian Revolution.The Iranian Revolution was the events involving the overthrow of the Pahlavi Dynasty under Mohammad Reza Shah Pahlavi who was supported by the U.S.
The hostage crisis became one of Presidents Jimmy Carter's main priorities.Carter launched a military rescue mission,but malfunctions caused them to abort the mission.On January 20,1981 444 days after the crisis started and just a few hours after the new president Ronald Reagan gave his inaugural speech the hostages were set free.
Important terms.
Iranian Revelution-The overthrow of the shah of Iran.
Shah-Emperor/king or lord of Iran.
Operation Eagel Claw-Failed millitary mission in attempting to rescue the hostages.