Iran Hostage Crisis - HISTORY

Explore the chain of events that set off the Iran hostage crisis - an diplomatic standoff that would keep Americans on edge and shape the course of Jimmy Carter’s presidency.

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The Iran Hostage crisis which began during Jimmy Carter's presidency ended the day Ronald Reagan was inaugurated, Pearl Harbor naval base was established, and Martin Luther King Day was declared a holiday in most states in This Day in History video. The date was January 20th. The plan to try and rescue the hostages from the Shah of Iran's regime was called Operation Eagle Claw.

In this "This Day in History" video clip learn about different events that have occurred on October 23rd. Some of the events include the Women's suffrage movement and the famous Hungarian uprising. Also, a marine barrack in Lebanon is bombed and the Moscow theater hostage crisis.

The eight-year war between Iran and Iraq cost billions of dollars in damages and claimed millions of lives, but resulted in no real benefit to either side.

Learn about the Iran-Contra Affair under President Reagan who secretly supported an anti-Communist group in Nicaragua and funneled weapons to Iranian terrorists in exchange for American hostages. Discover how Lt. Col. Oliver North was found guilty.

In 1987, Congress held 40 days of public hearings on the Iran-Contra affair during which they listened to 28 witnesses give more than 250 hours of testimony. On August 12, 1987, in a live broadcast from the Oval Office, President Ronald Reagan comments on the recent congressional hearings now that they are over.

Discover the history of the Suez Canal and how Egypt's President Nasser, with the support of the Soviet Union, seized the canal from the British in 1956, causing an international crisis. See how President Eisenhower intervened to help restore order.Discover the history of the Suez Canal and how Egypt's President Nasser, with the support of the Soviet Union, seized the canal from the British in 1956, causing an international crisis. See how President Eisenhower intervened to help restore order.

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