On July 3, 1988, the US Navy missile cruiser Vincennes was operating illegally miles inside Iran's waters on a mission of provocation. At the same time, a routine and on schedule flight by Iranian airlines, was on time and on course in the area. The Vincennes had the published schedule on board. Two missiles were launched at the unarmed civilian airliner, and at least one hit the plane, blowing it apart and sending 290 civilians, including 66 children, into the Gulf.
When you fall 25,000 feet in clear air, it rips the clothing off. For days the bodies were being pulled out of the water, and these images appeared on American television the next day, July 4, 1988.
Presidential candidate George H. W. Bush, who was then Vice President, said in reaction to the news reports that day:
I will never apologize for the United States of America, ever. I don't care what the facts are.
20 years later, Iran is still being used as a campaign issue and the belligerence from a US President Bush continues.
UPDATE: I made this diary only because no one else seemed to commemorate the event on dailykos. If anyone sees a better post about this incident and the history of it, please let me know in comments and I will link to that diary instead.