On this day in 1996, 14 members of the Túpac Amaru Revolutionary Movement (MRTA), a Marxist-Leninist movement to overthrow the Peruvian government, blasted a hole in the Japanese ambassador’s residence’s wall in Peru, taking more than 700 high-level diplomats, government and military officials and business executives hostage. They were attending a party celebrating Emperor Akihito’s birthday.

While most of the hostages were soon released –– including all of the Americans in attendance –– 72 were held until April 22, 1997, when they were freed by Peruvian commandos.

You can read about the attack in Lima, as well as the fate of an American who was found to be collaborating with the MRTA, at the link.