All times in UTC ·
Dashed edge = started before, or continues beyond, this day
Events on Tuesday 20 January 1981 3
1977 – 1981Carter presidency39th President — 1977 to 1981Jimmy Carter served as the 39th President from January 20, 1977 to January 20, 1981. He brokered the Camp David Accords between Egypt and Israel, but the Iran hostage crisis and economic stagflation cost him re-election.
1981Iran hostage crisis endsAmerican hostages released after 444 daysThe 52 American hostages held at the US embassy in Tehran were released on 20 January 1981, minutes after Ronald Reagan's presidential inauguration. Their release followed the Algiers Accords negotiated between the United States and Iran. The crisis had lasted 444 days since November 1979.
1981 – 1989Reagan presidency40th President — 1981 to 1989Ronald Reagan served as the 40th President from January 20, 1981 to January 20, 1989. Reaganomics cut taxes and deregulated the economy. His arms build-up and "peace through strength" strategy contributed to the collapse of the Soviet Union.