Show of support for hostages in Virginia parking lot, organized by the Neighborhood Group of Motion Picture Theatres
Holiday display with messages of support for the hostages
Two of Kathryn’s sisters tie yellow ribbons around flag poles at the Cattle Congress grounds in Waterloo, Iowa
President Jimmy Carter with members of Kathryn Koob’s family, including her parents Harold and Elsie
Phonograph Record (p) 1980, “The Hostage Song” by Skip Wheeler, Larry Smith & United States
Phonograph Record (p) 1979, “Go to Hell Ayatollah” by Dick Allen
Phonograph record (p) 1980, “Americans” by Peter Mars
Letter from Shirley & Geoffrey, Zambia to Kathryn Koob
Letter from President Jimmy Carter to Harold Koob, November 13, 1979
Letter from Pat Conner Ayers, Contoocook, N.H. to Harold and Elsie Koob, December 28, 1979
Telegram from President Jimmy Carter to Harold and Elsie Koob, December 24, 1980
Large yellow ribbon with “Kate” in the center
Button that reads “Hey Iran – America Remembers – November 4, 1979”
Bumper sticker with the number 52, the American flag, and the words “Bring Home the Hostages”
Bumper sticker printed by Dutchess House, Poughkeepsie, N.Y., that reads “Did You Pray For Our Hostages Today?”
American hostage flag
“Free the hostages pin” with attached yellow ribbon
The American public responded to the Hostage Crisis with patriotic pride. People flew American flags and tied yellow ribbons to trees in support of the hostages. They held vigils and organized prayers. School children made cards and wrote letters to the hostages.
The news media portrayed the hostages as everyday Americans, individualizing them and reporting on their private lives. The hostages’ families were also often in the public eye. By allowing every day Americans to identify with the hostages, it brought the Crisis home to many more people. It was no longer an abstract event to the Public, but a personal one.
Along with patriotism and prayer, however, came anger and discrimination: many Americans blamed all Iranians for the hostage situation in Tehran. Iranians living in the U.S. feared verbal attacks and even violence against them, and often tried to hide their nationality during this time.
When President Carter broke diplomatic ties with Iran in April 1980, the measure included invalidating all U.S. visas issued to Iranian citizens. Several groups of travelers were barred entry to the United States, including college students returning from a trip to Canada. Iranians already in the country feared deportation resulting from the conflict.
