The hostages deplane near Wiesbaden, Germany, at the Rhein-Main Air Force base, after their release from Tehran
Crowds greet the former hostages as they arrive at the U.S. Military Academy in Highland Falls, N.Y. on January 25. 1981.
Kathryn is reunited with her parents, Harold and Elsie Koob, at the U.S. Military Academy
The hostages were given a ticker-tape parade in New York City to celebrate their release
A family from Oakhurst, N.J. holds signs at the New York City parade celebrating the release of the hostages
A building draped with a banner reading “Welcome Home Kate"
A display of yellow ribbons to welcome home the hostages
A yellow ribbon in St. Martinsville, Louisiana
"Key to Our Hearts to: Kathryn Koob - Town 'n' Country School, 5th & 6th Grade Bilingual"
A World Map with hand-drawn route the hostages took from Iran to the United States, including stops in Germany, New York, and Washington, D.C.
Trees for Israel poster, indicating a gift of 1000 trees planted in the Children’s Forest in honor of the 52 American Hostages by William S. Malev Schools, Houston, TX in September 1980
A poem titled “For Katy,” written by Marvin Lawrence Eagen of Indianola, Iowa
A poem titled “Freedom’s Flight,” written by Mildred Goettman of Bloomington, New York
Kathryn is welcomed back to her hometown of Jesup, Iowa
Proclamation from Maury Pentecost, Mayor of City of Jesup, Iowa, declaring February 8, 1981 as “Welcome Home Kathryn Koob Day”
Telegram from the American Embassy, Ouagadougou [Burkina Faso] to U.S. Department of State, Washington, D.C., January 1981 upon release of hostages
Letter from unidentified to Vivian Holmeyer, Kathryn's sister, describing crocheted banner created in celebrating of hostages' release.
A handmade banner sent to Kathryn’s sister, Vivian Holmeyer, after the release of the hostages
Letter from Susan Gordon, Indiana to Kathryn Koob, January 21, 1981
Letter from Marie-Christine, Tokyo, Japan to Kathryn Koob, December 20, 1980
Letter from Gina, Iowa to Kathryn Koob
Iraq invaded Iran in September 1980, which, along with the death of the Shah, were important factors in the opening of negotiations between Iran and the U.S. for the release of the hostages. The Algiers Accords were signed minutes after Ronald Reagan was sworn in as president on January 20, 1981, and the 52 hostages were released.
They returned to the U.S. to a heroes’ welcome, including a ticker-tape parade in New York City and a reception at the White House.
Members of the public continued to send letters and gifts to the released hostages, welcoming them home.
