Iranian Hostage Crisis
By: Raimi K. & Xavier J.
Americans Are Taken Hostage By Iranians
Iran hostage crisis, in U.S. history, events following the seizure of the American embassy in Tehran by Iranian students on Nov. 4, 1979. The overthrow of Muhammad Reza Shah Pahlevi of Iran by an Islamic revolutionary government earlier in the year had led to a steady deterioration in Iran-U.S. relations. In response to the exiled shah's admission (Sept., 1979) to the United States for medical treatment, a crowd of about 500 seized the embassy. Of the approximately 90 people inside the embassy, 52 remained in captivity until the end of the crisis.
The Site of The Situation
The hostages taken were in the country of Iran (Tehran).
Who, What, Where, When, And Why
Iran Hostage Crisis 1979 (ABC News Report From 12/3/1979)
Hostages
Fifty-two American diplomats and citizens were held hostage for 444 days (November 4, 1979, to January 20, 1981), after a group of Iranian students supporting the Iranian Revolution took over the US Embassy in Tehran.
The Contenders
America and Iran were in this conflict.
Who Were Held
Several foreign diplomats and ambassadors including Canadian ambassador Ken Taylor. more than 50 Americans were held.
Terms & People
Ken Taylor
Kenneth Douglas "Ken" Taylor, OC is a Canadian diplomat, educator and businessman, best known for his role in the 1979 covert operation called the "Canadian Caper" when he was the Canadian ambassador to Iran.
Crisis
A time of intense difficulty, trouble, or danger.
Jimmy Carter
Was the president during the crisis.
Lt.Cmdr. Robert Englemann
Iran Hostage Crisis 1979 (ABC News Report From 11/11/1979)
Iranian Hostage Crisis
On November 4,1979 an angry mob of young Islamic revolutionaries overran the U.S. Embassy in Tehran, taking more than 60 Americans hostage. When the hostage were taken they were released minutes after Ronald Reagan took the oath of office as president 444 days later. The hostage crisis was the most dramatic in a series of problems facing Americans at home and abroad in the last year of the Carter presidency.