On this day 47 years ago, Islamist students loyal to Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini stormed and seized control of the United States Embassy in Tehran, seizing 52 American diplomats.
The United States attempted to rescue the hostages in Operation Eagle's Claw, which failed due to unexpected errors in the maintenance of the rescue helicopters.
Iran celebrates the 4th of November as the "National Day to Fight Global Arrogance". The hostages were eventually returned to the United States on January 20, 1981, after the United States and Iran agreed to the 1981 Algiers Accords.
Since the fall of the embassy, the United States and Iran do not maintain official and direct diplomatic relations.