Nightly News   |  January 20, 2011

January 20 marks many key dates in U.S. history

On this day in 1961, President John F. Kennedy was inaugurated; 30 years ago, 52 U.S. Embassy workers in Iran were freed after being held hostage for 444 days; and two years ago, the nation's first black president took his oath of office. NBC's Brian Williams reports.

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This content comes from Closed Captioning that was broadcast along with this program.

>>> as we mentioned, in this room here, this was a historic day here in college station , texas. and in fact this day, january 20th , is a big day in recent american history as well. it was 50 years ago on this day back in 1961 president john f. kennedy was inaugurated urging us all to ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country . the kennedy legacy was honored today in a ceremony in the capitol rotunda in washington. on this day 30 years ago, 52 u.s. embassy workers in iran were freed. they had been held hostage for 444 days , caught in the middle of the iranian revolution . they were released pretty much exactly when ronald reagan placed his hand on the bible and was sworn in at his inauguration. tehran snubbed the outgoing president carter.

>>> and two years ago on this day, the nation's first black president , barack obama , took his oath of office .