Munich massacre: Nine Israeli athletes die (along with a German policeman) at the hands of the Palestinian “Black September” terrorist group after being taken hostage at the Munich Olympic Games. Two other Israeli athletes were slain in the initial attack the previous day.

The Munich Massacre refers to a tragic event that took place during the 1972 Summer Olympics in Munich, Germany. On September 5, 1972, a Palestinian terrorist group called Black September took eleven members of the Israeli Olympic team hostage. The group demanded the release of over 230 Arab prisoners held by Israel, as well as two German terrorists.

The situation unfolded over several tense hours, with failed negotiations and an ultimately disastrous rescue attempt. After a botched operation at the Fürstenfeldbruck military airport by German authorities, all eleven Israeli athletes were killed, along with five of the eight terrorists and a German police officer.

This event had significant global repercussions, including increased security at sporting events and greater international attention to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The tragedy profoundly affected the Olympic Games, leading to a brief suspension of the event before the competition resumed in a subdued manner.