1951: Mosaddegh becomes democratically elected Prime Minister of Iran.

1953: Britain and the US collaborated to overthrow Mossadegh and to strengthen the Shah’s power.

1957: JQ Roberts spends time in Iran as a young man. His dad is in the oil business.

1962: John Limbert arrives in Iran as a member of the Peace Corps.

1964: Ayatollah Khomeini exiled from Iran.

December 12, 1974: Jimmy Carter announces his campaign for presidency.

1975: Col. Charlie Beckwith begins his attempt to form an elite hostage rescue force known as DELTA.

January 20, 1977: Jimmy Carter is inaugurated.

November 15, 1977: Shah of Iran comes to Washington, DC. Iranian students protest.

August 1978: JQ Roberts arrives at the US Embassy in Tehran. The revolution is in its early stages.

January 16, 1979: Abolition of monarchy: Shah leaves Iran for Egypt. Feb 1, 1979 - Khomeini returns to Iran from exile in Paris.

October 20, 1979: President Carter approves the Shah’s visit to New York for medical treatment.

November 4, 1979: Iranian students supportive of Imam Khomeini, who were outraged by the fact that the US would not extradite Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, take over the US Embassy in Teheran holding some 52 American diplomats and civilians hostage.

November 5, 1979: Military leadership are called to DC in secret and the mission planning begins.

December 1979 - March 1980: The Joint Task Force trains for the rescue attempt at secret locations around the country.

April 11, 1980: At NSC meeting Carter is briefed on the final rescue plan.

April 16, 1980: Secret meeting in the Situation Room from 7:37PM to 9:55PM, with mission commanders. Carter meets Beckwith.

April 20-24, 1980: The rescue mission begins mobilizing as aircraft, equipment and personnel mobilize to launch sites around the world.

April 24, 1980: The mission is a go. Mishap and catastrophe ensue at Desert One.

April 25, 1980: Carter makes a speech to the nation about the failed rescue attempt.

April 27, 1980: Iranians display bodies of dead US servicemen in front of the world press.

May 9, 1980: Service at Arlington National Cemetery for the men who died on the mission.

July 27, 1980: Mohammad Reza Shah Pahlavi dies in Cairo, Egypt.

September 22, 1980: Iraqi military invades Iran. Beginning of Iran-Iraq war.

November 4, 1980: Reagan is elected following Carter’s landslide loss.

January 19, 1981: The Algiers accords are signed, resolving the hostage crisis.

January 20, 1981: Hostages are released moments after Reagan’s inauguration.