Historical Events tagged with "hostage"

Turns out history loves a label—battles, breakthroughs, and the occasional disaster, all neatly tagged for your browsing pleasure. Because sometimes you just need every weird invention in one place.

Politics & Government

David Jacobsen Released After 17 Months of Captivity

November 2nd, 1986 38 years ago

After 17 months of being held hostage, American David Jacobsen was released in Beirut. Jacobsen, who was the administrator of a U.S. medical center in Lebanon, was taken hostage by a group linked to Hezbollah in the spring of 1985. His release was part of a series of hostage negotiations and was seen as a hopeful sign amidst the turmoil in Lebanon, where numerous foreigners were kidnapped during this period.

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Crime & Law

American Writer Edward Tracy Abducted in Lebanon

October 21st, 1986 38 years ago

In Lebanon, pro-Iran kidnappers held American writer Edward Tracy captive. Tracy was taken while he was working on a story in Beirut, a city that had become notorious for kidnappings during the Lebanese Civil War. His abduction was part of a broader pattern of targeting Westerners in the region. Following lengthy negotiations, he was released in August 1991, after nearly five years of captivity, highlighting the complex political dynamics at play between Iran, Lebanon, and Western nations.

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Crime & Law

Pan Am Flight 73 Hijacking at Karachi Airport

September 5th, 1986 38 years ago

Pan Am Flight 73, operating from Mumbai, was hijacked at Karachi International Airport by members of the Abu Nidal Organization. The aircraft was seized while on the ground with 358 people on board, including passengers and crew. The hijackers took control of the airplane, demanding the release of their comrades held in various countries. The situation escalated, resulting in tragic consequences for those on board, including hostages and terrorists alike. The Indian government worked to resolve the crisis while international attention focused on the unfolding situation.

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Military & Warfare

EgyptAir Flight 648 Hijacking Incident

November 23rd, 1985 39 years ago

EgyptAir Flight 648 was hijacked by gunmen while flying from Athens to Cairo. After landing in Malta, the aircraft was stormed by Egyptian commandos, resulting in the tragic death of 60 people during the rescue operation, which included passengers and crew members. The hijackers aimed to draw attention to the Palestinian cause and create an international spectacle.

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Politics & Government

Release of American Hostages from TWA Flight 847

June 30th, 1985 39 years ago

Thirty-nine American hostages from TWA Flight 847 were released in Beirut after being held captive for 17 days. The flight was hijacked on June 14, 1985, by members of the Islamic Jihad Organization, who demanded the release of prisoners held in Israel. Under intense negotiations, the hostages' release represented a significant moment in U.S.-Middle Eastern relations during a tumultuous period marked by political tension and unresolved conflicts in the region.

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Politics & Government

Terry Anderson Kidnapped in Beirut

March 16th, 1985 39 years ago

Terry Anderson, a journalist for the Associated Press, was abducted in Beirut while covering the Lebanese civil war. His kidnapping occurred amidst a climate of instability and violence in Lebanon, as various factions vied for control. Anderson became one of the longest-held Western hostages in Lebanon, spending more than six years in captivity before his release in December 1991. This incident underscored the dangers faced by journalists in conflict zones.

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Politics & Government

Kidnapping of CIA Chief William Buckley in Lebanon

March 16th, 1984 40 years ago

William Buckley, the CIA station chief in Beirut, was kidnapped by Hezbollah operatives while traveling in his vehicle. His abduction was part of a broader wave of kidnappings of Western officials and citizens occurring in Lebanon during the civil war. Despite efforts for his release, Buckley was held captive for over a year and ultimately died while in Hezbollah custody, raising concerns about the safety of U.S. personnel abroad.

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Military & Warfare

Crash Landing of Modified C-130 During Rescue Attempt

October 29th, 1980 44 years ago

A demonstration flight of a covertly modified C-130 aimed at rescuing American hostages in Iran ended dramatically with a crash landing at Eglin Air Force Base's Duke Field in Florida. This incident occurred during a critical period when the U.S. was exploring military options to secure the release of the hostages held by Iranian militants. The accident highlighted the significant risks involved in the operation, ultimately leading to the cancellation of Operation Credible Sport, which was designed to enhance the C-130 for quick deployment in crisis situations.

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Politics & Government

Iranian Embassy Siege Sparks International Attention

April 30th, 1980 44 years ago

A group of six armed men stormed the Iranian Embassy in London, taking hostages and initiating a multi-day standoff with authorities. The assailants demanded the release of their compatriots imprisoned in Iran. The British government, under Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, faced a critical decision to negotiate or forcibly intervene while managing public and media scrutiny over the crisis. The siege attracted global media coverage and heightened awareness of international terrorism during the Cold War era.

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