Final answer:
The American hostages in Iran were released on January 20, 1981, after being held for 444 days. Their release marked the end of the Iranian Hostage Crisis that began after the U.S. embassy in Tehran was seized following the Iranian Revolution.
Step-by-step explanation:
The American hostages in Iran during the Iranian Hostage Crisis were allowed to leave on January 20, 1981. They were in captivity for a total of 444 days, following the Iranian Revolution in which a group of armed Iranians seized the U.S. embassy in Tehran.
The hostages' release coincided with the inauguration of President Ronald Reagan and followed a series of events including failed rescue attempts by President Carter, along with freezing Iranian assets and imposing an embargo on Iranian oil. The crisis had significant impacts on U.S-Iran relations and was a factor in the eventual unpopularity and defeat of President Carter in the 1980 elections.