It has been 13,141 days since 53 American diplomats, military officers and civilians were captured in Tehran and tortured for 444 days near the end of the Carter administration.

And on Nov. 4, the 36th anniversary of the hostage taking, it will be 12,706 days since their release, an event that has been met with false promises from five administrations and 17 Congresses of justice and compensation to those who are still living and their families.