On January 29, 1979, a group of armed militants stormed the U.S. Embassy in Tehran, taking 52 American diplomats and citizens hostage. The attack occurred during a period of political upheaval following the Iranian Revolution, which had led to the overthrow of the Shah of Iran. The hostages were held for 444 days, with the situation growing increasingly tense and violent over time. During the siege, the U.S. government and Iran engaged in numerous diplomatic and military efforts to negotiate the hostages release, but it wasnt until January 20, 1981, that they were freed, coinciding with President Ronald Reagans inauguration. The event significantly impacted U.S.-Iran relations and deepened the divide between the two nations for years to come.