then on january 20th, 1981, there's finally a break. >> good evening. on the 444th and final day of the hostage crisis. >> i, ronald reagan, do solemnly swear -- >> minutes after president reagan's inaugural address, the hostages are released. a dark chapter in the nation's history has ended. they're coming home. >> all of us got on the plane. counted to make sure everybody is there. >> there is no high five ls. there's no screaming. i mean, people are still in shock. and still concerned that this is really going to happen. >> the hostages head to the united states where they reunite with families they haven't seen in more than a year. the emotional moments are caught on camera and carried live on tv. >> my brothers, sister, girlfriend were all waiting for