Modern Era · Middle East · Politics

1981

Iran hostages released

January 20, 1981

After four hundred forty-four days in captivity, the fifty-two American hostages in Tehran were flown to freedom in the hour after Ronald Reagan was inaugurated, a final humiliation for Jimmy Carter. The hostages, blinking in the sunlight, were welcomed home as heroes. Carter flew to meet them as a private citizen, graciously.

More from 1981 Modern Era

In context

Also in 1981 (6 other events on record)

AIDS first reported · North America · Disaster
IBM PC launches · North America · Technology
Sadat assassinated · Middle East · Politics
Reagan shot · North America · Politics
Pope shot in St. Peter's Square · Europe · Religion
Charles and Diana wed · Europe · Culture

Before and after in Middle East

Before: September 22, 1980: Iran-Iraq War begins
After: June 6, 1982: Israel invades Lebanon

Before and after in Politics

Before: August 14, 1980: Solidarity strike at Gdansk
After: November 10, 1982: Brezhnev dies

Era

Modern Era (1901–2000), one of 590 events from that era on Saeculum.