The Big Event

For five days in April 2009, Captain Richard Phillips became the center of a dramatic international drama when he was captured by Somali pirates who hijacked his ship, the Maersk Alabama, the first hijacking of a U.S. ship in more than 200 years. Amid the standoff, to protect his crew, he offered himself as a hostage and was eventually rescued by Navy SEALs in a dramatic showdown. His story was portrayed in the 2013 Academy and Golden Globe-nominated film, “Captain Phillips,” starring Tom Hanks.