The Iran Hostage Crisis

In 1976, voters elected Jimmy Carter as president of the United States. President Carter worked hard in his presidency to help countries cooperate. He was recognized for helping Israel and Egypt agree on a peace treaty.

But things did not go so well in the country of Iran. A revolution had taken place there and the new leader blamed the United States for many of their problems. This leader was very angry with the United States.

A group of rebels from Iran broke into the United States Embassy in Iran and kidnapped 52 hostages. They held these hostages and flashed pictures on television for the whole world to see. Many demands were made by Iran for the return of the hostages. President Carter refused to make a deal. Iran kept the hostages for more than a year. The United States wasn’t able to do anything to gain their release.

The hostages were finally released on January 20, 1981. This was the last day of Jimmy Carter’s presidency.