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Today in History: Police end siege, spawn Stockholm syndrome term

8/28/2026

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Summary

Story summary

On 28 August 1973, armed robbers seized a bank at Stockholm’s Norrmalmstorg Square, holding employees hostage for seven days. Police finally deployed tear-gas bombs to breach the vault, ending the standoff. During the ordeal, captives formed emotional ties to their captors, a phenomenon later named “Stockholm syndrome.”

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Story summary

On 28 August 1973, armed robbers seized a bank at Stockholm’s Norrmalmstorg Square, holding employees hostage for seven days. Police finally deployed tear-gas bombs to breach the vault, ending the standoff. During the ordeal, captives formed emotional ties to their captors, a phenomenon later named “Stockholm syndrome.”