In October of 1979, President Jimmy Carter allowed the longtime ruler of Iran, Mohammad RezaPahlavir, to enter the U.S. for cancer treatment. Back in the 1950s, the U.S. had helped the Shah regain power after he’d gone into exile. On the morning of November 4, about 500 student protesters gathered outside the U.S. embassy compound. They smashed through the gates and stormed in. Historian John R. Schmidt tells us what happened next. (photo: Freed hostage Moorhead Kennedy waves from the top of the steps as the Americans held hostage by Iran arrive at Andrews Air Force Base, Md., on Tuesday, Jan. 27, 1981 for their official welcome in Washington. (AP Photo))