An armed rebellion soon led to the fall of the royal government and a National Referendum established iran as a republic on april 1, 1979. On november 4 of that year, iranian students seized the American Embassy and took more than 50 hostages. Still helds were when president carter gave his final state of the Union Address in january, 1980. Portion oftwo minute president carter addressing the hostage situation. President carter in response to the borat action of iran, our nation has never been so unified so greatly in peacetime. Opposition is clear the United States will not yield to blackmail. [applause] we continue to pursue these specific goals. First, to protect the present and longrange interests of the United States. Second, to preserve the lives of the american hostages and preserve as quickly as possible their safe release. Avoid bloodshed, which might further endanger the lives of our fellow citizens. To enlist the help of other nations in condemning this act is shockingwhich and violates the moral and legal standards of a civilized world, and also to convince and persuade the iranian leaders that the real danger to their nation lies in the north, and the soviet union and from the soviet troops now in afghanistan and the unwarranted and iranian quarrel with the United States hampers their response to this far greater danger to them. If the american hostages are harmed, a severe price will be paid. [applause] we will never rest until every one of the american hostages are released. [applause] that, we look at the april 19 80 failed hostage rescue attempt and the release of the hostages the day Ronald Reagan was 20th, 1981. January this 15 minute segment is from cspan hospers enjoy Library Series recorded in 2007. 1980 is an Election Year and i think the frustration felt regarding the continuing captivity of the hostages is summed up in a tragically unfortunate rescue attempt in april of 1980, very complicated in terms of logistics, helicopters and planes having to reconnoiter some distance from iran and having a challenging distance and almost everything that could go wrong did go wrong. Carter how did this safe guard prepare to protect america past National Interest and reduce the tensions in the world that have been caused among many nations as this crisis has continued. It was my decision to attempt the rescue operation. It was my decision to cancel it when problems developed in the placement of our rescue team for a future rescue operation. The responsibility is totally my own. In the aftermath of the attempt, we continue to hold the government of iran responsible for the safety and Early Release of the american hostages who have been held so long. The United States remains determined to bring about their safe release at the earliest date possible. As president , i know our entire nation feels a great debt of whoitude for the brave men would rescue their fellow men from captivity. And i also know the nation shares not only my disappointment that the rescue mountedould not be because of mechanical difficulties but also to persevere and bring all of our hostages on to freedom. We have been disappointed before. We will not give up in our efforts. Throughout this extraordinarily difficult time, we have pursued and will continue to pursue every possible avenue to secure the release of the hostages. Ofthese efforts, the support the American People and our friends throughout the world has in a most crucial element. That support is even more important now. We will see to continue along with other nations and the officials of iran a prompt solution to the crisis without any loss of life and through peaceful and diplomatic means. Inc. You very much. Onpresident carters remarks april 25, 1980. To rescuemission hostages failed, the camera angle looked a bit different because of a shot by the navy film crew, which is why you are able to see something beyond his final words there as he leaves the desk and goes off to the side and leaves the oval office. The failure of this missive of this mission, did it hurt jimmy carters reelection . Unlikelye it even more the hostages would be released before election day in 1980 and the on that and perhaps more significantly, it became a metaphor for a lot of people about this situation and a country that was in effect held hostage. If you were not alive, its hard to imagine now the degree to it was,is, tragic as came to define american politics up self imageca during 1980. Are photos from the library and museum. Fulton, texas, you are on. I was one of the hostages in iran. Come toer or didnt he germany to see us guys when we got out . Let me ask you your name. Gary lee. How long were you held hostage . The whole time. And you dont recall . In thoset was a bedlam days. I think he came over and this is with us, personally, in the room. Some of us were there and some of us were having medical checks. That photoo back to from january 22, 1981. Yes, he did as a matter of fact. Ronald reagan asked if he would the hostages where had been relocated for medical attention if necessary and after a brief stop after the inauguration, that is where both carters went. What do jude do about the history of your experience . Did a World History with some fellow who wrote it up in the book. I never did anything else with it, but i was correct . Yes. Thank you very much. Thank you. Ofhave this important piece idiot tape. What is it . It is what ought to have been the carterment of presidency. It is one more in a series of frustrations. Before the inauguration, a basic deal had been agreed upon. President carter unfreezing about a billion dollars in a rainy and assets. That was a complicated series of procedures with many banks around the world. Inauguration day morning and the president is in hoping that the hostages will be free. Who were they . Advisor on the National Security advisor there was the press secretary and you see Walter Mondale in the room. They are waiting for the deal to come to fruition. Thank you. Weve gotten word through in iran,ountry that they say at eight third teen he woulding that inform them when the plane leaves. That is the first message we have had that the plane will be leaving. Yes . All right. Both planes are at the end of. He runway another glitch . [inaudible] planes take off m. D. , im going to be upset. Good morning. Placed a call earlier i want to let you know the planes are at the end of the runway. That is what we presume. Money was cleared and the iranians were notified roughly 25 minutes ago. We will let you know when the takeoff gets close. We are very proud. Restrict my group going to germany only to the ones who have been intimately and deeply involved in the iranian question. Thought i would tell you that in case anybody asks you. I will see you later on. God bless you. Would it be unseemly for him to call . President carter theyve only got one hour before it is dark. It would take about 15 minutes. President carter that was a quarter after. Aty had this certification 7 30. Did he say they were worried about the wording . President carter i dont know if he was worried or not. Unbelievable they would not have after all of these hours that ready to punch up. President carter they are typing the thing up. They have had it for an hour and a half. In algiers. He refuses to talk to us. Hes the deputy governor. In charge of delivering the certification. A quick comment . What is going on along with the spitefulnce is most of the iranians. The were determined hostages were not going to be released on jimmy carters wash of ronald minutes reagan being sworn into office, they were released. You have something new there inform of the diary of one of the hostages . This is almost like a sacred piece of paper. Only the oldest of the hostages kept a diary for the entire time in his widow gave it to us, which we are privileged to have. Ill read a brief section december 9, 1980 was told again this morning there would be no hot water today, possibly tomorrow, because there was no oil. He said if i could be sure in iran is really hurting, i would be glad to really do without the hot water. He was one of a number of hostages who when they were there wished that stronger action had been taken but then realized the strict economic sanctions had been placed on iran. No concessions were made to get them back and that they all came back alive