# Munich Olympic Massacre (1972)

URL: https://germany-history.com/timeline/1972-munich-olympic-massacre
Location: Munich
Categories: main-event

On 5-6 September 1972 Palestinian terrorists took Israeli athletes hostage at the Munich Olympics. A failed rescue killed eleven Israelis. The Games continued.

## Why it matters
It exposed Germany's lack of counter-terrorism capability.

Ruler at the time: [Willy Brandt](https://germany-history.com/rulers/willy-brandt)

## Sources
- [Wikipedia – Munich massacre](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Munich_massacre)