Munich 1972 Olympic Games

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Munich massacre at the 1972 Olympic Games

Learn about the deadly terrorist attack by Black September at the 1972 Munich Olympic Games, which resulted in the death of 11 Israelis

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Arts & Culture

Munich 1972 Olympic Games

Also known as: Games of the XX Olympiad

Written and fact-checked by The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Last Updated: Mar 27, 2024 • Article History

Steve Prefontaine

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Category: Arts & Culture

Date:: August 26, 1972 - September 11, 1972

Location:: Germany; Munich

Key People:: Avery Brundage; Frei Otto

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Recent News

Mar. 27, 2024, 12:52 PM ET (AP)

A Paris exhibit shows how the Olympics mirror society, from Nazi propaganda to fighting inequalities

Munich 1972 Olympic Games, athletic festival held in Munich that took place August 26–September 11, 1972. The Munich Games were the 17th occurrence of the modern Olympic Games. Tragedy struck the 1972 Olympics in Munich when eight Palestinian terrorists from the militant group Black September invaded the Olympic Village on September 5 and killed two members of the Israeli team. Nine other Israelis were held hostage as the terrorists bargained for the release of 200 Palestinian prisoners in Israel. All the hostages, five of their captors, and a West German policeman were slain in a failed rescue attempt. The tragedy ...(100 of 461 words)

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