A look back at local, national and world events through Deseret News archives.
On Jan. 20, 1981, Iran released 52 Americans it had held hostage for 444 days, minutes after the presidency had passed from Jimmy Carter to Ronald Reagan.
Here are the Deseret News headlines on the day the hostages found they would be released, and the next day as they arrived home:
“Hostages await flight to freedom; Agreement signed, release awaits transfer of money”
“Hostages face decompression test”
“52 heroes weary but ecstatic on first day free”
The history
The 53 diplomats and citizens were taken hostage in Iran on Nov. 4, 1979, then released on Jan. 20, 1981. Per historical accounts, they were taken as hostages by a group of armed Iranian college students who supported the Iranian Revolution.
The hostages were formally released the day after the signing of the Algiers Accords, moments after President Ronald Reagan was sworn into office.
In Iran, the crisis strengthened the prestige of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini and the political power of those who opposed any normalization of relations with the West. But it also led to American economic sanctions against Iran, which further weakened ties between the two countries.
Here is a quote from hostage Kathryn Koob, as quoted in the Deseret News:
“You can never imagine how much the letters and prayers and support meant to me … and only the Lord knows how much it helped. Thank you form the bottom of my heart.”
Here are some stories from Deseret News archives reflecting on that time, including words from former hostages:
“Life goes on for ex-hostages”
“Guest opinion: 40 years after the Iran hostage crisis, enduring bonds of friendship remain”
“Sense of being a child of God still enriches life of ex-hostage”
“Carter defends his handling of Iran hostage crisis”
“Documents: Margaret Thatcher appealed to Iran over U.S. hostages”
“Perspective: Will Trump get credit for the hostage release like Reagan did?”
The front page of the Deseret News on Jan. 21, 1981, as the American hostages returned home from Iran. Of note
Jan. 20 is a big day in the U.S., as many presidents are inaugurated on that day.
In 1937, President Franklin D. Roosevelt was sworn in for his second term as president, becoming the first chief executive to be inaugurated on Jan. 20; prior to the adoption of the 20th Amendment in 1933, presidential terms began on March 4.
On this day in 1961, in his inaugural address, President John F. Kennedy urged Americans, “ask not what your country can do for you — ask what you can do for your country.”
On this day in 2009, Barack Obama was sworn in as the nation’s first Black president.
And on this day in 2017, Donald Trump was sworn in as the 45th president of the United States.
Also, on Jan. 20, 1986, the United States observed the first federal holiday in honor of killed civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr.