Archive · 5 Sep 2025
Munich Olympics Massacre: 1972 Attack and Aftermath
On September 5, 1972, during the Munich Olympics, a group called Black September attacked the Israeli Olympic team.
They killed some athletes and took others hostage, asking Israel to free Arab prisoners.
Later, a shootout at the airport killed the hostages, some attackers, and a German officer.
The Olympics were paused for a memorial.
In 1975, on the same day, US President Gerald Ford survived an assassination attempt in California by Lynette Fromme.
Seventeen days later another woman tried to assassinate Ford.
The attempts failed due to quick action by Secret Service and a bystander.
Palestinian militants attacked the Israeli Olympic team in Munich on September 5, 1972.
Two athletes were killed and nine others taken hostage.
The attackers demanded the release of Arab prisoners held by Israel.
A shootout at Munich airport resulted in the deaths of all hostages, militants, and a police officer.
On September 5, 1975, US President Gerald R. Ford survived an assassination attempt.
- Who
- Palestinian militants attacked the Israeli Olympic team, and two women attempted to assassinate US President Gerald Ford.
- What
- Palestinian militants attacked the Israeli Olympic team during the Munich Games, resulting in fatalities. Gerald Ford survived assassination attempts.
- When
- September 5, 1972 (Munich) and September 5, 1975 (Ford)
- Where
- Munich, Germany, and Sacramento, California
- Why
- The Palestinian militants demanded the release of Arab prisoners held by Israel.
- Date
- September 5, 1972 (Munich attack); September 5, 1975 (Ford attempt)
- Location
- Munich, Germany; Sacramento, California
- Attackers (Munich)
- Palestinian militants (Black September)
- Target (Munich)
- Israeli Olympic team
- Casualties (Munich)
- 2 athletes and 9 hostages killed, 5 militants and 1 police officer killed
- Attackers (Ford)
- Lynette Fromme and Sara Jane Moore
- US President Target
- Gerald R. Ford