Events on March 1 in history

Black September storms the Saudi embassy in Khartoum, Sudan, resulting in the assassination of three Western hostages.

The Black September Organization (BSO), known in Arabic as منظمة أيلول الأسود (Munaẓẓamat Aylūl al-Aswad), emerged onto the global stage in 1970 as a Palestinian militant group, leaving an indelible and tragic mark on history. Formed in the aftermath of the "Black September" events of September 1970 – a brutal conflict in Jordan between the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) and the Jordanian army – the BSO’s primary motivation was to avenge Palestinian losses and to pressure the international community on the Palestinian cause through acts of terrorism. Though initially linked to Fatah, the mainstream Palestinian nationalist movement, the BSO operated with a degree of autonomy, embracing more extreme tactics.

The Genesis of a Movement: A Name Forged in Conflict

The very name, Black September, harks back to a pivotal and bloody chapter in the Palestinian struggle. In September 1970, King Hussein of Jordan launched a military crackdown against Palestinian fedayeen groups operating within his kingdom, effectively expelling the PLO’s military infrastructure from Jordan. This devastating defeat and the ensuing loss of life for Palestinians fueled a deep sense of anger and a desire for retribution, giving birth to the **Black September Organization** with a stark commitment to militant action against perceived enemies, including Jordan and Israel.

Infamous Acts: A Campaign of Terror

The BSO quickly gained international notoriety for its audacious and violent operations, aiming to bring the Palestinian cause to the forefront of global attention, albeit through horrifying means. Their actions demonstrated a calculated ruthlessness that shocked the world and forever changed the landscape of international security.

The Assassination of Wasfi Tal

One of the BSO's earliest high-profile attacks was the assassination of Jordanian Prime Minister Wasfi Tal. On November 28, 1971, in Cairo, Egypt, BSO operatives ambushed and killed Tal, whom they held responsible for the brutal events of Black September. This act of targeted political assassination underscored the group’s vengeful agenda and its willingness to strike at perceived enemies in positions of power, setting a grim precedent for their future operations.

The Munich Massacre: A World Watches in Horror

Without doubt, the **Munich Massacre** remains the **Black September Organization's** most publicized and devastating act, an event that forever linked the group to an unspeakable tragedy during a global celebration of peace and sport. During the 1972 Summer Olympics in Munich, West Germany, on September 5, 1972, eight BSO members infiltrated the Olympic Village. They kidnapped eleven Israeli Olympic team members – athletes and officials – holding them hostage and demanding the release of 236 Palestinian militants held in Israeli prisons, along with two German left-wing extremists. The tense standoff, which played out on live television across the world, culminated in a horrific bloodbath. In a botched rescue attempt by West German police at Fürstenfeldbruck air base, all eleven Israeli hostages were killed, along with a West German police officer and five of the eight BSO terrorists. The **Munich Massacre** was a watershed moment, not only for the sheer brutality displayed but also for its profound impact on global counter-terrorism strategies, prompting many European countries to create or significantly specialize permanent counter-terrorism forces in its wake.

The Khartoum Embassy Attack: Escalating Demands and Fatal Consequences

The **Black September Organization's** campaign continued into 1973 with another high-stakes hostage crisis. On March 1, 1973, BSO operatives attacked the Saudi embassy in Khartoum, Sudan, taking ten diplomats hostage. Among them were the U.S. Ambassador Cleo A. Noel Jr., the U.S. Chargé d'Affaires George Curtis Moore, and the Belgian Chargé d'Affaires Guy Eid. The terrorists demanded the release of various Palestinian prisoners, including Sirhan Sirhan, who had assassinated Robert F. Kennedy. However, then-U.S. President Richard Nixon publicly stated that he refused to negotiate with terrorists and insisted that "no concessions" would be made. In a grim response to this refusal, the three Western diplomats – the two Americans and the Belgian – were executed, sending a stark message about the BSO's resolve and the brutal consequences of political deadlock.

The Legacy and Dissolution of a Militant Force

Following these horrific acts, international pressure mounted, and the group's operational capacity gradually waned. While the **Black September Organization** never formally announced its dissolution, its activities largely ceased by the mid-1970s, with many of its members either killed in retaliatory strikes by Israel (such as Operation Wrath of God) or absorbed back into Fatah. The BSO’s brief but impactful existence left an indelible scar on the international community, reshaping approaches to security, counter-terrorism, and diplomatic engagement with militant groups. Its actions underscored the extreme lengths to which some factions of the Palestinian movement were willing to go to achieve their political objectives, forever changing the perception and reality of international terrorism.

Frequently Asked Questions about the Black September Organization

Who was the Black September Organization (BSO)?

The Black September Organization (BSO) was a Palestinian militant organization founded in 1970. It was primarily responsible for several high-profile acts of terrorism, including the assassination of Jordanian Prime Minister Wasfi Tal and the infamous Munich Massacre.

When was the Black September Organization founded?

The BSO was founded in 1970, taking its name from the "Black September" events, which were a violent conflict between the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) and the Jordanian army in September 1970.

What was the most infamous action of the Black September Organization?

The BSO's most infamous and widely publicized action was the **Munich Massacre** in September 1972, during the Summer Olympics. In this attack, the group took eleven Israeli Olympic team members hostage, all of whom were ultimately killed along with a West German police officer.

What were the motivations behind the BSO's actions?

The BSO's primary motivations included avenging the Palestinian losses during the 1970 conflict in Jordan, seeking the release of Palestinian prisoners held in Israel, and bringing the Palestinian cause to international attention through dramatic and often violent means.

What was the impact of the Black September Organization?

The BSO's attacks, particularly the **Munich Massacre**, had a profound impact on international security. They led to the creation or specialization of permanent counter-terrorism forces in many European countries and significantly escalated the global focus on terrorism as a major threat.

What other significant attacks did the BSO carry out?

Besides the Munich Massacre, the BSO was responsible for the assassination of Jordanian Prime Minister Wasfi Tal in 1971 and the Khartoum embassy attack in 1973, where several Western diplomats were taken hostage and ultimately killed.