News coverage during presidential transitions often uses a split screen. On one side, the new man is sworn in or glad-hands supporters; on the other, the outgoing chief executive makes his forlorn last exit across the White House lawn.

Sometimes, though, history serves up not just scenes that are the unavoidable obverse and reverse of each other but a really dramatic juxtaposition, such as on Jan. 20, 1981, when Iran began releasing 66 American hostages moments after President Ronald Reagan finished his first inaugural address.