OPERATION EAGLE CLAW

• Carter authorized a rescue attempt that was a total failure. It was dubbed "Operation Eagle Claw."

• 1980 was an election year. Carter's opponent in the election was Republican Ronald Reagan of California. Reagan represented Carter as weak and promised a more aggressive approach if he were elected. Carter admitted (in the interview above) that it was this difference in military philosophy that cost him the election.

• On the day that Reagan became the president of the United States, the Iranians released 52 hostages after 444 days of captivity.

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