1978- Shah Mohammed Reza Pahlavi’s authoritarian rule sparks demonstrations and riots.
January 16, 1979- The Shah flees Iran and goes to Egypt.
February 1, 1979- Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini returns to Iran after 14 years in exile, to lead the country.
October 22, 1979- The Shah is allowed to enter the United States to receive medical treatment for cancer.
November 4, 1979- Iranian Students demonstrating outside of the US embassy in Tehran storms the embassy and take 90 people hostage including 66 Americans.
November 5, 1979- The Iranian government cancels military treaties with the US and the Soviet Union, treaties that would permit US or Soviet military intervention.
November 6, 1979- Premier Bazargan and his government resign, leaving Khomeini and Revolutionary Council in power.
November 7, 1979- President Carter sends ex Attorney general Clark and senate intelligence committee staff director to negotiate the release of the hostages. Ayatollah Kjomeini refuses to meet with them.
November 14, 1979- President Carter orders Iranian assets in US banks frozen.
November 17, 1979- Khomeini orders the release of female and African-American hostages. They are released Nov. 19 and 20, bringing a total number of US hostages to 53.
December 4, 1979- The United Nations security council passes a resolution calling for Iran to release the hostages.
December 15, 1979- The Shah leaves the United States for Panama.
January 28, 1980- 6 American embassy employees, who avoided capture and hid in the homes of Canadian Embassy officers flee Iran.
March 1980- The Shah returns to Egypt.
April 7, 1980- President Carter cuts diplomatic ties with Iran, announcing further sanctions and ordering all Iranian diplomats to leave the United States.
April 25, 1980- 8 US servicemen are killed when a helicopter and a transport plane collide during a attempt (which failed) to rescue the hostages.
July 11, 1980- Another hostage is released due to illness. The total number of hostages (Americans) is now 52.
July 27, 1980- The Shah dies of cancer in Egypt
September 12, 1980- Ayatollah Khomeini sets new terms for the hostages’ release, including the return of the late Shah’s wealth and the unfreezing of Iranian assets.
November 1980-January 1981- Deputy Secretary of State Warren Christopher and his delegation work through mediator in Algeria to negotiate the release of the hostages.
January 19, 1981- The US and Iran sign an agreement to release the hostages and unfreeze Iranian assets.
January 20, 1981- The remaining 52 American hostages are released and flown to an air base in Germany.
December 18, 2015- Congress passes a budget bill that includes a provision authorizing each of the 53 hostages to receive $10,000 for each day they were held captive. In addition, spouses and children will separately receive a one-time payment of $600,000.
American History-8th Block 