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Aug 19, 2008 6:59 pm US/Central
Former Iranian Hostage Donates Artifacts To Museum
(WCCO)
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The collection also features a small, boxed American flag -- a gift from the new President at the time, Ronald Reagan.
CBS
St. Paul received a historic donation Tuesday.
Minnesota native and Iranian hostage, Ambassador Bruce Laingen, donated a collection of artifacts, documents and photos to the Minnesota Historical Society.
Laingen and the other American hostages were held in Tehran from November 1979 to January 1981.
He is donating the suit he wore when he was taken hostage, as well as other items like hostage buttons, and a letter from a child that includes a drawing of a yellow ribbon.
"The yellow ribbon of today's consequence and fame began with my wife in the hostage period," said Laingen.
The collection also features a small, boxed American flag -- a gift from the new President at the time, Ronald Reagan.
Laingen said all the donated items remind him of one of the worst violations of diplomacy in modern times.
"That's what the Iranians did, worst, first and foremost, they violated their own traditions of respect for human rights," said Laingen.
The Iranian hostages were released after being held for 444 days.
The Laingen artifacts will become part of the Greatest Generation exhibit at the History Center, opening next year.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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