It was a 444-day ordeal for the American diplomats taken hostage in Tehran. In these 444 days, Iranian Islamists imposed their will on their country and the world. Rediscover the events between November 4, 1979, and January 20, 1981. This defining moment of the last half of the 20th century marked the beginning of the conflict between the United States and its former ally, Iran.

It was a 444-day ordeal for the American diplomats taken hostage in Tehran. In these 444 days, Iranian Islamists imposed their will on their country and the world. Rediscover the events between November 4, 1979, and January 20, 1981. This defining moment of the last half of the 20th century marked the beginning of the conflict between the United States and its former ally, Iran.