January 20, 1981 - Day 444
During their final hours in office, Carter and his senior staff work feverishly, and unsuccessfully, to finalize a deal with the Iranians. The hostages are released moments after Ronald Reagan officially takes over as president.

Newsfootage: Reuters (QuickTime or RealVideo required) read transcript

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By the time this gets into print, Carter will be back in Plains, Georgia. His hegira can be explained not as the failure of a mission, but as the mission of a failure. It can be characterized as the failure of the people who elected him. He was a defect elected by defective people.

Denver Post
Roy Batchler, Letter to the Editor

I didn't think they would make it out without military action.

Tampa Tribune
Mark Garner, quoted in "Hostages Free: A Nagging Pain Relieved"

I had tears in my eyes at hearing that our people had finally come to the end of what must have been a terrible hardship, and one that will live with them forever. Also, tears of joy upon hearing President Reagan's speech. I can't remember having been so moved in years; even as he almost broke down while talking, I did, just listening. What a privilege to be an American.

Minneapolis Tribune
Wm. F. Zieske, Letter to the Editor

It was a very long time in coming, but Americans were hit by two waves of hope in one day: a new president and the homecoming of the hostages. The prescribed medicine for a weary country couldn't have been better.

Minneapolis Tribune
Larry Anhalt, Letter to the Editor

They're coming home, and they're coming home with honor and pride.

Associated Press
Dorothea Morefield, wife of a hostage, quoted in "444-Day Ordeal Ends in Tears of Family Joy"

I stayed up until I saw the hostages into the hospital. That's how I feel about them. I wanted to know they were well and safe.

San Francisco Chronicle
Eva Carr, quoted in "America Rejoices for the Hostages: 'It's over - I hope'"

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