The American phase of what became known as the Iranian Hostage Crisis lasted 444 days, if our memory serves. Those old enough will remember the humiliation and anger Americans felt when our embassy in Tehran was overrun by militant "student demonstrators" after the coming to power of Ayatollah Khomeini, and the holding of 54 embassy personnel hostage for more than a year, until the inauguration of President Ronald Reagan.

But that was just the beginning of another Iranian hostage crisis -- one that has lasted to this day -- in which a cadre of theocrats placed the rest of the Iranian people under a yoke they've yet to throw off.