Timeline of the Iranian Islamic revolution
Encyclopedia
This article is a timeline of events relevant to the Islamic Revolution in Iran
. For earlier events refer to Pahlavi dynasty
and for later ones refer to History of the Islamic Republic of Iran
. This article doesn't include the reasons of the events and further information is available in Islamic revolution of Iran.
Iran
Iran , officially the Islamic Republic of Iran , is a country in Southern and Western Asia. The name "Iran" has been in use natively since the Sassanian era and came into use internationally in 1935, before which the country was known to the Western world as Persia...
. For earlier events refer to Pahlavi dynasty
Pahlavi dynasty
The Pahlavi dynasty consisted of two Iranian/Persian monarchs, father and son Reza Shah Pahlavi and Mohammad Reza Shah Pahlavi The Pahlavi dynasty consisted of two Iranian/Persian monarchs, father and son Reza Shah Pahlavi (reg. 1925–1941) and Mohammad Reza Shah Pahlavi The Pahlavi dynasty ...
and for later ones refer to History of the Islamic Republic of Iran
History of the Islamic Republic of Iran
One of the most dramatic changes in government in Iran's history was seen with the 1979 Iranian Revolution where Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi was overthrown and replaced by Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini...
. This article doesn't include the reasons of the events and further information is available in Islamic revolution of Iran.
1941
- August-September: World War IIWorld War IIWorld War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
allies Britain and Soviet UnionSoviet UnionThe Soviet Union , officially the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics , was a constitutionally socialist state that existed in Eurasia between 1922 and 1991....
invade IranIranIran , officially the Islamic Republic of Iran , is a country in Southern and Western Asia. The name "Iran" has been in use natively since the Sassanian era and came into use internationally in 1935, before which the country was known to the Western world as Persia...
to secure railway to supply Soviet Union. They depose Reza ShahReza ShahRezā Shāh, also known as Rezā Shāh Pahlavi and Rezā Shāh Kabir , , was the Shah of the Imperial State of Iran from December 15, 1925, until he was forced to abdicate by the Anglo-Soviet invasion of Iran on September 16, 1941.In 1925, Reza Shah overthrew Ahmad Shah Qajar, the last Shah of the Qajar...
who they consider too sympathetic to the Axis powersAxis PowersThe Axis powers , also known as the Axis alliance, Axis nations, Axis countries, or just the Axis, was an alignment of great powers during the mid-20th century that fought World War II against the Allies. It began in 1936 with treaties of friendship between Germany and Italy and between Germany and...
, and they exile him to South AfricaSouth AfricaThe Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
. His son Muhammad Reza becomes the new Pahlavi Shah of Iran.
1953
- August: Shah Muhammad Reza Pahlavi, who had resisted for months despite British and American calls for him to dismiss Prime Minister Mohammed Mossaddegh, gets nervous about the popular nationalist prime minister's designs when Mossadegh dissolved the parliament and began rule by decree. As a result, the Shah dismisses Mossadegh as prime minister. But Mossadegh refused to step down and instead arrested the royal messenger delivering the dismissal order. In a panic, the Shah flees to ItalyItalyItaly , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
. CIA and British intelligence initiate and execute "Operation AjaxOperation AjaxThe 1953 Iranian coup d'état was the overthrow of the democratically elected government of Iranian Prime Minister Mohammad Mosaddegh on 19 August 1953, orchestrated by the intelligence agencies of the United Kingdom and the United States under the name TPAJAX Project...
" with conservative Iranians to overthrow Mossadegh. Shah returns to Iran.
1961
- March 31: Husain Borujerdi, the prominent MarjaMarjaMarja , also known as a marja-i taqlid or marja dini , literally means "Source to Imitate/Follow" or "Religious Reference"...
of all Shi'a, dies. Khomeini emerges as one of the probable successors to Boroujerdi's position of leadership. This emergence was signaled by the publication of some of his writings on fiqhFiqhFiqh is Islamic jurisprudence. Fiqh is an expansion of the code of conduct expounded in the Quran, often supplemented by tradition and implemented by the rulings and interpretations of Islamic jurists....
, most importantly the basic handbook of religious practice entitled, like others of its genre, Tozih al-Masael. He was soon accepted as Marja-e Taqlid (source of imitation) by a large number of Iranian Shi'is. In this year his students, who were the teachers of seminary, established Society of Seminary Teachers of QomSociety of Seminary Teachers of QomSociety of Seminary Teachers of Qom , was founded 1961 by the leading Shi'a clerics of Qom to organize religious teachings in the seminaries, and expand the religious teachings in Iran...
, which played key role during establishment of new government after victory of revolution.
1962
- October-November: Khomeini organizes opposition to the Shah's Local council election bill. The Bill introduced by Shah's government allows women to vote for the first time and non-Muslims to run for councils. Religious pressure forces government to back down completely and abandon the bill. Khomeini emerges from fight as "the regime's principal political foe" and "undisputed spiritual leader of ... bazaari activists."
1963
- January: Mohammad Reza PahlaviMohammad Reza PahlaviMohammad Rezā Shāh Pahlavi, Shah of Iran, Shah of Persia , ruled Iran from 16 September 1941 until his overthrow by the Iranian Revolution on 11 February 1979...
proposes "White RevolutionWhite RevolutionThe White Revolution was a far-reaching series of reforms in Iran launched in 1963 by the Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi. Mohammad Reza Shah’s reform program was built especially to strengthen those classes that supported the traditional system...
". The government introduces a six-point reform bill to be put to a nation-wide referendum vote. Six points also included Women's suffrageWomen's suffrageWomen's suffrage or woman suffrage is the right of women to vote and to run for office. The expression is also used for the economic and political reform movement aimed at extending these rights to women and without any restrictions or qualifications such as property ownership, payment of tax, or...
, as well as other reforms. Khomeini summoned a meeting of his colleagues in Qom to press upon them the necessity of opposing the Shah's plans. - January 22: Khomeini issued a strongly worded declaration denouncing the Shah and his plans. Two days later Shah took armored column to QomQomQom is a city in Iran. It lies by road southwest of Tehran and is the capital of Qom Province. At the 2006 census, its population was 957,496, in 241,827 families. It is situated on the banks of the Qom River....
, and he delivered a speech harshly attacking the ulamaUlama-In Islam:* Ulema, also transliterated "ulama", a community of legal scholars of Islam and its laws . See:**Nahdlatul Ulama **Darul-uloom Nadwatul Ulama **Jamiatul Ulama Transvaal**Jamiat ul-Ulama -Other:...
. Khomeini continues his denunciation of the Shah's programs, issuing a manifesto that also bore the signatures of eight other senior scholars. In it he listed the various ways in which the Shah had violated the constitution, condemned the spread of moral corruption in the country, and accused the Shah of comprehensive submission to America and Israel. He also decrees that the NorouzNorouzNowrūz is the name of the Iranian New Year in Iranian calendars and the corresponding traditional celebrations. Nowruz is also widely referred to as the Persian New Year....
celebrations for the Iranian year 1342 be canceled as a sign of protest against government policies. Escalating antipathy between Shah and Ayatollah climaxes in June with drawing parallels between the Umayyad Caliph Yazid IYazid IYazīd ibn Mu‘āwiya ibn Abī Sufyān , commonly known as Yazid I, was the second Caliph of the Umayyad Caliphate . He ruled for three years from 680 CE until his death in 683 CE. Many Muslims condemn Yazid's rule as contentious and unjust...
and the Shah and warns the Shah that if he did not change his ways the day would come when the people would offer up thanks for his departure from the country. - Shah orders to arrest Khomeini two days later, and major protest riots in cities over Iran the day after that which is called Movement of 15 KhordadMovement of 15 KhordadThe demonstrations of June 5 and 6, 1963 in Iran, were a protest against the arrest of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini after an angry speech by him attacking Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, Israel and the United States...
. Martial law is declared and hundreds are killed. After nineteen days in the Qasr prison, Ayatollah Khomeini was moved first to the 'Eshratabad' military base and then to a house in the 'Davoudiyeh' section of TehranTehranTehran , sometimes spelled Teheran, is the capital of Iran and Tehran Province. With an estimated population of 8,429,807; it is also Iran's largest urban area and city, one of the largest cities in Western Asia, and is the world's 19th largest city.In the 20th century, Tehran was subject to...
where he is kept under surveillance.
1964
- April 7: Khomeini is released from custody and returns to Qom. In autumn he denounces "capitulationsCapitulation (treaty)A capitulation , or ahidnâme, is a treaty or unilateral contract by which a sovereign state relinquishes jurisdiction within its borders over the subjects of a foreign state...
" (the government's underhanded extending of diplomatic immunity to American military personnel), and calls the agreement as surrender of Iranian independence and sovereignty, made in exchange for a $200 million loan that would be of benefit only to the Shah and his associates, and describes all those in the MajlisMajlis' , is an Arabic term meaning "a place of sitting", used in the context of "council", to describe various types of special gatherings among common interest groups be it administrative, social or religious in countries with linguistic or cultural connections to Islamic countries...
who voted in favor of it as traitors, concluding that the government is illegitimate. He is arrested immediately and taken to Mehrabad Airport in Tehran. He's exiled in November, and does not return to Iran for 14 years.
1965
- 10am January 22: Hassan-Ali Mansur, the prime minister, who passed the Geneva Convention American Force Protection Act, also known as "Capitulation Law" is assassinated by Mohammad Bokharaii and Amir Abbas Hoveyda is appointed instead of him.
- September 5: Khomeini leaves TurkeyTurkeyTurkey , known officially as the Republic of Turkey , is a Eurasian country located in Western Asia and in East Thrace in Southeastern Europe...
for NajafNajafNajaf is a city in Iraq about 160 km south of Baghdad. Its estimated population in 2008 is 560,000 people. It is the capital of Najaf Governorate...
in IraqIraqIraq ; officially the Republic of Iraq is a country in Western Asia spanning most of the northwestern end of the Zagros mountain range, the eastern part of the Syrian Desert and the northern part of the Arabian Desert....
, where he was destined to spend thirteen years. He teaches in seminary during this time.
1970
- January 21-February 8: Khomeini gives a series of nineteen lectures to a group of his Talaba (students) on Islamic Government while he was in exile in IraqIraqIraq ; officially the Republic of Iraq is a country in Western Asia spanning most of the northwestern end of the Zagros mountain range, the eastern part of the Syrian Desert and the northern part of the Arabian Desert....
in the holy city of NajafNajafNajaf is a city in Iraq about 160 km south of Baghdad. Its estimated population in 2008 is 560,000 people. It is the capital of Najaf Governorate...
. Notes of the lectures were soon made into a book that appeared under three different titles: The Islamic Government, Authority of the Jurist, and A Letter from Imam Musavi Kashef al-Qita (to deceive Iranian censors). The small book (fewer than 150 pages) was smuggled into Iran and "widely distributed" to Khomeini supporters before the revolution.
1975
- March 2: RastakhizRastakhizRastakhiz Party was founded on March 2, 1975 by Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, the Shah of Iran. The party was intended as Iran's new single party, holding a monopoly on political activity in Iran, and to which all Iranians were required to belong...
(Resurrection) party as an Iranian monarchist party is founded by Mohammad Reza PahlaviMohammad Reza PahlaviMohammad Rezā Shāh Pahlavi, Shah of Iran, Shah of Persia , ruled Iran from 16 September 1941 until his overthrow by the Iranian Revolution on 11 February 1979...
. - June 1975: Anniversary of the uprising of 15 KhordadMovement of 15 KhordadThe demonstrations of June 5 and 6, 1963 in Iran, were a protest against the arrest of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini after an angry speech by him attacking Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, Israel and the United States...
. Students at the Feyziyeh madreseh hold a demonstration within the confines of the building, and a sympathetic crowd assembles outside. Both gatherings continues for three days until they are attacked by military forces, resulting in some casualties. Khomeini reacts with a message in which he declares the events in Qom and similar disturbances elsewhere to be a sign of hope that "freedom and liberation from the bonds of imperialism" is at hand.
1978
- January 7 (17th of DeyDeyDey was the title given to the rulers of the Regency of Algiers and Tripoli under the Ottoman Empire from 1671 onwards...
): An article in the Ettela'atEttela'at- Incidents :On January 6, 1978 a slanderous article appeared in Ettela'at suggesting Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini was a homosexual and a serving British agent. The next day, clerics in Qom protested and the police demanded they disperse. When they refused, police opened fire and at least twenty...
newspaper by the Information Minister Daryoush HomayounDaryoush HomayounDaryoush Homayoun was an Iranian journalist, author, intellectual, and politician. He was the Minister of Information and Tourism in the cabinet of Jamshid Amouzegar, founder of the daily newspaper Ayandegan, and one-time high-ranking member of the Rastakhiz party. In exile he became one of the...
, titled "Black and Red Imperialism" accuses Khomeini of homosexuality and other "misdeeds". Later in his book, Homayoun claimed that this was done by Shah's order. - January 9 (19th of DeyDeyDey was the title given to the rulers of the Regency of Algiers and Tripoli under the Ottoman Empire from 1671 onwards...
): Demonstration of 4,000 students and religious leaders in the city of QomQomQom is a city in Iran. It lies by road southwest of Tehran and is the capital of Qom Province. At the 2006 census, its population was 957,496, in 241,827 families. It is situated on the banks of the Qom River....
against the article. The armed police was provoked by the angry demonstrators which result ed in death of between 10 to 72 demonstrators. Protests credited with breaking the "barrier of fear" of security forces "at the popular level". - February 18 (29th of BahmanBahmanBahman may refer to:* Bahman, the Zoroastrian Amesha Spenta* Bahman, the 11th month of the year in Zoroastrian & Iranian calendars, named after the Zoroastrian concept* Kai Bahman, a mythological king of Iran...
): Arbayeen (i.e. 40th day observance) of Qom's fallen protesters. Groups in a number of cities marched to honour the fallen and protest against the rule of the Shah. This time, violence erupted in TabrizTabrizTabriz is the fourth largest city and one of the historical capitals of Iran and the capital of East Azerbaijan Province. Situated at an altitude of 1,350 meters at the junction of the Quri River and Aji River, it was the second largest city in Iran until the late 1960s, one of its former...
. According to some reports approximately 100 demonstrators are killed. - March 29 (8th of FarvardinFarvardinFarvardin is the first month of the Iranian civil calendar of 1925. Farvardin has 31 days and in 75 years of 100 years begins on 21 March and ends on 20 April. In 25 years, Farvardin begins on 19 or 22 March and ends on 18 or 21 April. Farvardin is the first month of spring, and is followed by...
): Arbayeen of Tabriz's fallen protesters by demonstrations in various cities. Demonstrators are killed by police in YazdYazdYazd is the capital of Yazd Province in Iran, and a centre of Zoroastrian culture. The city is located some 175 miles southeast of Isfahan. At the 2006 census, the population was 423,006, in 114,716 families....
. - May 10 (20th of OrdibeheshtOrdibeheshtOrdibehesht is the 2nd month of the Iranian civil calendar of 1925. Ordibehesht has 31 days and begins in April and ends in May. Ordibehesht is the 2nd month of spring....
): Arbayeen of Yazd's fallen protesters. Demonstrations in various cities. In Qom, commandos "burst into" the home of Ayatollah Kazem Shariatmadari, a leading cleric and quietist, and shoot dead one of his followers right in front of him. Shariatmadari then joins opposition to the Shah. - June 6 (16th of KhordadKhordadKhordad is the 3rd month of the Iranian civil calendar of 1925.khordad has 31 days and begins on May and ends on June. Khordad is the 3rd month of spring....
): Head of SAVAKSAVAKSAVAK was the secret police, domestic security and intelligence service established by Iran's Mohammad Reza Shah on the recommendation of the British Government and with the help of the United States' Central Intelligence Agency SAVAK (Persian: ساواک, short for سازمان اطلاعات و امنیت کشور...
, Nematollah NassiriNematollah NassiriGeneral Nematollah Nassiri , was the director of SAVAK, the Iranian intelligence agency during the rule of Mohammad Reza Shah. A personal friend of the Shah, he had gained notoriety for removing democratically elected Prime Minister Mohammed Mossadegh from power...
, dismissed and Nasser MoghadamNasser MoghadamLieutenant General Nasser Moghadam was the fourth and last chief of SAVAK . He succeeded General Nematollah Nassiri, who was arrested by the Shah's order in 1978...
is appointed instead. "First significant concession to the unrest." - June 20 (30th of KhordadKhordadKhordad is the 3rd month of the Iranian civil calendar of 1925.khordad has 31 days and begins on May and ends on June. Khordad is the 3rd month of spring....
): 40th day cycle of marking demonstration deaths passes with little violence, thanks to calls by Shariatmadari's for observance in mosques not on the streets. Inflation subsiding. Regime's "carrot and stick" and anti-inflation measures seem to be working. - August 6 (15th of MordadMordadMordad is the fifth month of the Iranian civil calendar of 1925. Mordad has 31 days and in more years begins on 23 July and ends on 22 August. In some years, Mordad begins on 22 July and ends on 21 August...
): Shah pledges free elections by June 1979 in broadcast to the nation. - August 12 (21st of MordadMordadMordad is the fifth month of the Iranian civil calendar of 1925. Mordad has 31 days and in more years begins on 23 July and ends on 22 August. In some years, Mordad begins on 22 July and ends on 21 August...
): Killing of demonstrators in Isfahan. - August 16 (25th of MordadMordadMordad is the fifth month of the Iranian civil calendar of 1925. Mordad has 31 days and in more years begins on 23 July and ends on 22 August. In some years, Mordad begins on 22 July and ends on 21 August...
): Jamshid Amouzegar declares martial lawMartial lawMartial law is the imposition of military rule by military authorities over designated regions on an emergency basis— only temporary—when the civilian government or civilian authorities fail to function effectively , when there are extensive riots and protests, or when the disobedience of the law...
in response to vast demonstrations. - August 19 (28th of MordadMordadMordad is the fifth month of the Iranian civil calendar of 1925. Mordad has 31 days and in more years begins on 23 July and ends on 22 August. In some years, Mordad begins on 22 July and ends on 21 August...
): 477 die in arson fire at Cinema Rex in Abadan. Regime and opposition blame each other. - August 27 (5th of ShahrivarShahrivarShahrivar is the 6th month of the Iranian civil calendar of 1925. Shahrivar has 31 days and begins on August and ends on September. Shahrivar is the 3rd month of summer....
): Jamshid Amouzegar is replaced by Jafar Sharif-EmamiJafar Sharif-EmamiJafar Sharif-Imami was an Iranian politician who was Prime Minister from 1960 to 1961 and again in 1978. He was a cabinet minister, president of the Iranian Senate, president of the Pahlavi Foundation, president of the Iran Chamber of Industries and Mines, and twice prime minister during the reign...
as the prime minister. Sharif Emami "reverses" some of the Shah's policies. Closes casinos (owned by Pahlavi Foundation), abolishes the imperial calendar and declares all the political parties have the right to be active. - September 4 (13th of ShahrivarShahrivarShahrivar is the 6th month of the Iranian civil calendar of 1925. Shahrivar has 31 days and begins on August and ends on September. Shahrivar is the 3rd month of summer....
): Mass march at Eid al-Fitr of hundreds of thousands in Tehran by Khomeini supporters. - September 8 (17th of ShahrivarShahrivarShahrivar is the 6th month of the Iranian civil calendar of 1925. Shahrivar has 31 days and begins on August and ends on September. Shahrivar is the 3rd month of summer....
): dubbed "Black Friday" ShahMohammad Reza PahlaviMohammad Rezā Shāh Pahlavi, Shah of Iran, Shah of Persia , ruled Iran from 16 September 1941 until his overthrow by the Iranian Revolution on 11 February 1979...
declares martial lawMartial lawMartial law is the imposition of military rule by military authorities over designated regions on an emergency basis— only temporary—when the civilian government or civilian authorities fail to function effectively , when there are extensive riots and protests, or when the disobedience of the law...
in response to protests against Pahlavi dynasty. The military of Iran use force including tanks and helicopters to break up the largely peaceful demonstrators. About 88 demonstrators (including three women) are killed. Opposition leaders falsely spread the death count figures as high as "tens of thousands". - September 24 (2nd of MehrMehrMehr, or Mihr may refer to:Hindu / Zoroastrian names* Mehr, an alternative name for Mithra, a Hindu / Zoroastrian divinity* Mehr , the seventh month of the year and the sixteenth day of the month of the Iranian Calendar and Zoroastrian calendar, which are dedicated to the namesake divinity* Mehr's...
): IraqIraqIraq ; officially the Republic of Iraq is a country in Western Asia spanning most of the northwestern end of the Zagros mountain range, the eastern part of the Syrian Desert and the northern part of the Arabian Desert....
i government embargoes the house of Khomeini in NajafNajafNajaf is a city in Iraq about 160 km south of Baghdad. Its estimated population in 2008 is 560,000 people. It is the capital of Najaf Governorate...
and bans his political activities. - September 25 (3rd of Mehr): Rastakhiz partyRastakhizRastakhiz Party was founded on March 2, 1975 by Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, the Shah of Iran. The party was intended as Iran's new single party, holding a monopoly on political activity in Iran, and to which all Iranians were required to belong...
is disbanded. - October 3 (10th of MehrMehrMehr, or Mihr may refer to:Hindu / Zoroastrian names* Mehr, an alternative name for Mithra, a Hindu / Zoroastrian divinity* Mehr , the seventh month of the year and the sixteenth day of the month of the Iranian Calendar and Zoroastrian calendar, which are dedicated to the namesake divinity* Mehr's...
): Khomeini leaves IraqIraqIraq ; officially the Republic of Iraq is a country in Western Asia spanning most of the northwestern end of the Zagros mountain range, the eastern part of the Syrian Desert and the northern part of the Arabian Desert....
for KuwaitKuwaitThe State of Kuwait is a sovereign Arab state situated in the north-east of the Arabian Peninsula in Western Asia. It is bordered by Saudi Arabia to the south at Khafji, and Iraq to the north at Basra. It lies on the north-western shore of the Persian Gulf. The name Kuwait is derived from the...
after being pressured by Iran's neighbor Iraq to "tone down his anti-compromise rhetoric". He is refused entry at the Kuwait border. - October 6 (13th of MehrMehrMehr, or Mihr may refer to:Hindu / Zoroastrian names* Mehr, an alternative name for Mithra, a Hindu / Zoroastrian divinity* Mehr , the seventh month of the year and the sixteenth day of the month of the Iranian Calendar and Zoroastrian calendar, which are dedicated to the namesake divinity* Mehr's...
): Khomeini embarks for ParisParisParis is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
. - October 10 (17th of MehrMehrMehr, or Mihr may refer to:Hindu / Zoroastrian names* Mehr, an alternative name for Mithra, a Hindu / Zoroastrian divinity* Mehr , the seventh month of the year and the sixteenth day of the month of the Iranian Calendar and Zoroastrian calendar, which are dedicated to the namesake divinity* Mehr's...
): Khomeini takes up residence in the suburb of Neauphle-le-ChâteauNeauphle-le-ChâteauNeauphle-le-Château is a commune in the Yvelines department in the Île-de-France region in north-central France.-History:Neauphle-le-Château would gain international notoriety in 1978 when, on October 8th, Iranian spiritual leader Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini rented and moved into a local chateau...
in a house that had been rented for him by Iranian exiles in France. He enjoys media attention from journalists across the world who come to France to interview him. His image and words became a daily feature in the world's media. - October 11 (19th of MehrMehrMehr, or Mihr may refer to:Hindu / Zoroastrian names* Mehr, an alternative name for Mithra, a Hindu / Zoroastrian divinity* Mehr , the seventh month of the year and the sixteenth day of the month of the Iranian Calendar and Zoroastrian calendar, which are dedicated to the namesake divinity* Mehr's...
): Strike of Newspapers - October 16 (24th of MehrMehrMehr, or Mihr may refer to:Hindu / Zoroastrian names* Mehr, an alternative name for Mithra, a Hindu / Zoroastrian divinity* Mehr , the seventh month of the year and the sixteenth day of the month of the Iranian Calendar and Zoroastrian calendar, which are dedicated to the namesake divinity* Mehr's...
): Arbayeen of protesters killed on "Black Friday". Some people were killed in the main mosque of KermanKerman- Geological characteristics :For the Iranian paleontologists, Kerman has always been considered a fossil paradise. Finding new dinosaur footprints in 2005 has now revealed new hopes for paleontologists to better understand the history of this area.- Economy :...
. "A rapid succession of strikes cripple almost all the bazaars, universities, high schools, oil installations, banks, government ministries, post offices, railways, newspapers, customs and post facilities," etc. and "seal the Shah's fate." - October 21 (29th of MehrMehrMehr, or Mihr may refer to:Hindu / Zoroastrian names* Mehr, an alternative name for Mithra, a Hindu / Zoroastrian divinity* Mehr , the seventh month of the year and the sixteenth day of the month of the Iranian Calendar and Zoroastrian calendar, which are dedicated to the namesake divinity* Mehr's...
): Iran Oil industry workers go on strike. - November 4 (13th of AbanAbanApas is the Avestan language term for "the waters", which—in its innumerable aggregate states—is represented by the Apas, the hypostases of the waters....
): Destructive riots frustrated by Shah's unsuccessful attempts at conciliation with his opponents, military hardliners decide to order troops "to stand aside and allow mobs to burn and destroy to their hearts' content." Thousands of shops, banks, restaurants and other public buildings damaged. Conciliatory Prime Minister Sharif-Emami resigns. Army raid in Tehran University, students participating in demonstrations are killed. - November 5 (14th of AbanAbanApas is the Avestan language term for "the waters", which—in its innumerable aggregate states—is represented by the Apas, the hypostases of the waters....
): Mohammad Reza Shah broadcast on television a promise not to repeat past mistakes and to make amends saying, "I heard the voice of your revolution... As Shah of Iran as well as an Iranian citizen, I cannot but approve your revolution." - November 6 (15th of AbanAbanApas is the Avestan language term for "the waters", which—in its innumerable aggregate states—is represented by the Apas, the hypostases of the waters....
): General Gholam Reza Azhari appointed as the prime minister. Enforces martial lawMartial lawMartial law is the imposition of military rule by military authorities over designated regions on an emergency basis— only temporary—when the civilian government or civilian authorities fail to function effectively , when there are extensive riots and protests, or when the disobedience of the law...
. - November 8 (15th of AbanAbanApas is the Avestan language term for "the waters", which—in its innumerable aggregate states—is represented by the Apas, the hypostases of the waters....
): Mohammad Reza Shah arrests thirteen prominent members of his own regime. - November 27(6th AzarAzarAzar is the 9th month of the Iranian civil calendar of 1925. Azar has 30 days and begins on November and ends on December. Azar is the 3rd month of Autumn....
): Millions throughout the country celebrate "weeping" and "jumping" after seeing Khomeini's face in the moon, after rumour sweeps the land that the Imam's face will so appear on this night. Even the Tudeh Party embraces the story. - December 10 and 11 (19th and 20th of AzarAzarAzar is the 9th month of the Iranian civil calendar of 1925. Azar has 30 days and begins on November and ends on December. Azar is the 3rd month of Autumn....
): Tasu'a and AshuraDay of AshuraThe Day of Ashura is on the 10th day of Muharram in the Islamic calendar and marks the climax of the Remembrance of Muharram.It is commemorated by Shia Muslims as a day of mourning for the martyrdom of Husayn ibn Ali, the grandson of the Islamic Prophet Muhammad at the Battle of Karbala on 10...
. As many as 17 million people "up and down the country march peacefully demanding the removal of the Shah and return of Khomeini." 17-point resolution is presented during the demonstration "declaring the Ayatollah to be the leader of the Iranian people," and calling on Iranians to struggle until the Shah is overthrown. - December 29 (9th of DeyDeyDey was the title given to the rulers of the Regency of Algiers and Tripoli under the Ottoman Empire from 1671 onwards...
): Long-time opposition politician Shapour BakhtiarShapour BakhtiarShapour Bakhtiar was an Iranian political scientist, writer and the last Prime Minister of Iran under Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi...
chosen as prime minister by Shah as the Shah prepares to leave the country. Last prime minister of the Pahlavi dynastyPahlavi dynastyThe Pahlavi dynasty consisted of two Iranian/Persian monarchs, father and son Reza Shah Pahlavi and Mohammad Reza Shah Pahlavi The Pahlavi dynasty consisted of two Iranian/Persian monarchs, father and son Reza Shah Pahlavi (reg. 1925–1941) and Mohammad Reza Shah Pahlavi The Pahlavi dynasty ...
.
1979
- January 3 (15th of DeyDeyDey was the title given to the rulers of the Regency of Algiers and Tripoli under the Ottoman Empire from 1671 onwards...
): Shapour BakhtiarShapour BakhtiarShapour Bakhtiar was an Iranian political scientist, writer and the last Prime Minister of Iran under Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi...
of the National Front (Jabhe-yi Melli)National Front (Iran)The National Front of Iran or Jebhe Melli is a Democratic, political opposition group founded by Mohammad Mossadegh and other secular Iranian leaders of Nationalist, Liberal, and Social-Democratic political orientation who had been educated in France in the late 1940s...
was appointed prime minister to replace General Azhari. - January 4 (16th of DeyDeyDey was the title given to the rulers of the Regency of Algiers and Tripoli under the Ottoman Empire from 1671 onwards...
): Shapour BakhtiarShapour BakhtiarShapour Bakhtiar was an Iranian political scientist, writer and the last Prime Minister of Iran under Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi...
approved as the Prime Minister by Parliament. - January 12 (22nd of DeyDeyDey was the title given to the rulers of the Regency of Algiers and Tripoli under the Ottoman Empire from 1671 onwards...
): Revolutionary Council formed by Khomeini to manage revolution. The names of its members are not disclosed. - January 16 (26th of DeyDeyDey was the title given to the rulers of the Regency of Algiers and Tripoli under the Ottoman Empire from 1671 onwards...
): Mohammad Reza Shah and his wife leave Iran. Official reports claim that he has left for vacation and medical treatment but in fact he was asked to leave by Shapour BakhtiarShapour BakhtiarShapour Bakhtiar was an Iranian political scientist, writer and the last Prime Minister of Iran under Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi...
. - January 23 (3rd of BahmanBahmanBahman may refer to:* Bahman, the Zoroastrian Amesha Spenta* Bahman, the 11th month of the year in Zoroastrian & Iranian calendars, named after the Zoroastrian concept* Kai Bahman, a mythological king of Iran...
): The Royal Council dismissed. - February 1 (12th of BahmanBahmanBahman may refer to:* Bahman, the Zoroastrian Amesha Spenta* Bahman, the 11th month of the year in Zoroastrian & Iranian calendars, named after the Zoroastrian concept* Kai Bahman, a mythological king of Iran...
): Khomeini returns to Iran from exile. According to BBCBBCThe British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
up to five million people line the streets of the Iran's capital, TehranTehranTehran , sometimes spelled Teheran, is the capital of Iran and Tehran Province. With an estimated population of 8,429,807; it is also Iran's largest urban area and city, one of the largest cities in Western Asia, and is the world's 19th largest city.In the 20th century, Tehran was subject to...
to witness the homecoming of Khomeini. - February 4 (15th of BahmanBahmanBahman may refer to:* Bahman, the Zoroastrian Amesha Spenta* Bahman, the 11th month of the year in Zoroastrian & Iranian calendars, named after the Zoroastrian concept* Kai Bahman, a mythological king of Iran...
): Khomeini appoints Mehdi BazarganMehdi BazarganMehdi Bazargan was a prominent Iranian scholar, academic, long-time pro-democracy activist and head of Iran's interim government, making him Iran's first prime minister after the Iranian Revolution of 1979. He was the head of the first engineering department of Tehran University...
as prime minister of The Interim Government of Iran. - February 9 (20th of BahmanBahmanBahman may refer to:* Bahman, the Zoroastrian Amesha Spenta* Bahman, the 11th month of the year in Zoroastrian & Iranian calendars, named after the Zoroastrian concept* Kai Bahman, a mythological king of Iran...
): Fighting breaks out between pro-Khomeini technicians (Homafaran) of Iran Air Force and Iranian Imperial GuardIranian Imperial GuardThe Iranian Imperial Guard was both the personal guard force of the Shahs of Iran and an elite combat branch of the Imperial Iranian Army. It was created in 1942 and disbanded in 1979.-Origins:...
. - February 10 (21st of BahmanBahmanBahman may refer to:* Bahman, the Zoroastrian Amesha Spenta* Bahman, the 11th month of the year in Zoroastrian & Iranian calendars, named after the Zoroastrian concept* Kai Bahman, a mythological king of Iran...
): Bakhtiar announces curfew, martial lawMartial lawMartial law is the imposition of military rule by military authorities over designated regions on an emergency basis— only temporary—when the civilian government or civilian authorities fail to function effectively , when there are extensive riots and protests, or when the disobedience of the law...
. Khomeini orders followers to ignore it, and proclaims jihadJihadJihad , an Islamic term, is a religious duty of Muslims. In Arabic, the word jihād translates as a noun meaning "struggle". Jihad appears 41 times in the Quran and frequently in the idiomatic expression "striving in the way of God ". A person engaged in jihad is called a mujahid; the plural is...
against army units that do not surrender to revolutionaries. Leftist guerrillas and revolutionaries join rebel troops looting arms from police stations and other government facilities. Army finally declares neutrality to avoid disintegration. - February 11 (22nd of BahmanBahmanBahman may refer to:* Bahman, the Zoroastrian Amesha Spenta* Bahman, the 11th month of the year in Zoroastrian & Iranian calendars, named after the Zoroastrian concept* Kai Bahman, a mythological king of Iran...
): Regime collapses. Revolution victorious. Pahlavi dynasty ends. Royal prime minister, BakhtiarShapour BakhtiarShapour Bakhtiar was an Iranian political scientist, writer and the last Prime Minister of Iran under Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi...
, goes into hiding, eventually finding exile in ParisParisParis is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
. - February 12 (23rd of BahmanBahmanBahman may refer to:* Bahman, the Zoroastrian Amesha Spenta* Bahman, the 11th month of the year in Zoroastrian & Iranian calendars, named after the Zoroastrian concept* Kai Bahman, a mythological king of Iran...
): The committees of Islamic revolution were charged. - February 18 (29th of BahmanBahmanBahman may refer to:* Bahman, the Zoroastrian Amesha Spenta* Bahman, the 11th month of the year in Zoroastrian & Iranian calendars, named after the Zoroastrian concept* Kai Bahman, a mythological king of Iran...
): Foundation of Islamic Republican partyIslamic Republican partyThe Islamic Republican Party was a political party in Iran, formed in mid-1979 to assist the Iranian Revolution and Ayatollah Khomeini establish theocracy in Iran...
by revolutionary clerics comprising Beheshti, BahonarBahonarBahonar may refer to either of two Iranian politicians, who are brothers:* Mohammad Javad Bahonar, the Prime Minister of Iran assassinated in 1981* Mohammad Reza Bahonar, the current Deputy Speaker of Majlis of IranBahonar is also an Iranian placename....
, Khamenei, Hashemi and Abdolkarim Musavi. - March 17 (27th of EsfandEsfandEsfand is the 12th month of the Iranian civil calendar of 1925.Esfand has 29 days and begins on February and ends on March. Esfand is the 3rd month of Winter....
): Revolt in SanandajSanandajSanandaj , also Romanized as Senneh and Sinneh) is a city in and the capital of Kurdistan Province, Iran. At the 2006 census, its population was 311,446, in 81,380 families....
. - March 26 (6th of FarvardinFarvardinFarvardin is the first month of the Iranian civil calendar of 1925. Farvardin has 31 days and in 75 years of 100 years begins on 21 March and ends on 20 April. In 25 years, Farvardin begins on 19 or 22 March and ends on 18 or 21 April. Farvardin is the first month of spring, and is followed by...
): Revolt in Gonbad-e QabusGonbad-e QabusGonbad-e Qābus or Gonbad-e Kāvus ; formerly Dashte Gorgan) is a city in and the capital of Gonbad-e-Qabus County, in the province of Golestān in the northeast of Iran...
. Valyollah Qarani, the first chief of Army after revolution, dismissed by the Interim Government of Iran under pressure of leftist. Naser Farbod is appointed as his replacement. - March 30 and 31 (10 and 11th of FarvardinFarvardinFarvardin is the first month of the Iranian civil calendar of 1925. Farvardin has 31 days and in 75 years of 100 years begins on 21 March and ends on 20 April. In 25 years, Farvardin begins on 19 or 22 March and ends on 18 or 21 April. Farvardin is the first month of spring, and is followed by...
): national referendum held on whether Iran should become an "Islamic Republic". - April 1 (12th of FarvardinFarvardinFarvardin is the first month of the Iranian civil calendar of 1925. Farvardin has 31 days and in 75 years of 100 years begins on 21 March and ends on 20 April. In 25 years, Farvardin begins on 19 or 22 March and ends on 18 or 21 April. Farvardin is the first month of spring, and is followed by...
): 98.2% of votes tallied are in favor of an Islamic republicIslamic republicIslamic republic is the name given to several states in the Muslim world including the Islamic Republics of Pakistan, Iran, Afghanistan, and Mauritania. Pakistan adopted the title under the constitution of 1956. Mauritania adopted it on 28 November 1958. Iran adopted it after the 1979 Iranian...
. Islamic republicIslamic republicIslamic republic is the name given to several states in the Muslim world including the Islamic Republics of Pakistan, Iran, Afghanistan, and Mauritania. Pakistan adopted the title under the constitution of 1956. Mauritania adopted it on 28 November 1958. Iran adopted it after the 1979 Iranian...
established. - April 17 (31st of FarvardinFarvardinFarvardin is the first month of the Iranian civil calendar of 1925. Farvardin has 31 days and in 75 years of 100 years begins on 21 March and ends on 20 April. In 25 years, Farvardin begins on 19 or 22 March and ends on 18 or 21 April. Farvardin is the first month of spring, and is followed by...
): Revolt in NaqadehNaqadeh CountyNaqadeh County is a county in West Azerbaijan Province in Iran. The capital of the county is Naqadeh. At the 2006 census, the county's population was 117,831, in 27,937 families. The county is subdivided into two districts: the Central District and Mohammadyar District...
. - April 20 (3rd of OrdibeheshtOrdibeheshtOrdibehesht is the 2nd month of the Iranian civil calendar of 1925. Ordibehesht has 31 days and begins in April and ends in May. Ordibehesht is the 2nd month of spring....
): Valyollah Qarani assassinated by the Forqan group. - May 1 (12th of OrdibeheshtOrdibeheshtOrdibehesht is the 2nd month of the Iranian civil calendar of 1925. Ordibehesht has 31 days and begins in April and ends in May. Ordibehesht is the 2nd month of spring....
): Morteza MotahhariMorteza MotahhariAyatollah Murtaza Motahhari was an Iranian scholar, cleric, lecturer, and politician.Motahhari is considered among the important influences on the ideologies of the Islamic Republic, and was a co-founder of Hosseiniye Ershad and the Combatant Clergy Association...
, one of the most notable ideologists of Islamic revolution, assassinated by the Forqan group. - May 5 (16th of OrdibeheshtOrdibeheshtOrdibehesht is the 2nd month of the Iranian civil calendar of 1925. Ordibehesht has 31 days and begins in April and ends in May. Ordibehesht is the 2nd month of spring....
): Islamic Revolutionary Guards CorpsIslamic Revolutionary Guards CorpsThe Army of the Guardians of the Islamic Revolution , often called Revolutionary Guards, is a branch of Iran's military, founded after the Iranian revolution...
established by a decree issued by Ayatollah Khomeini. - June 5: Early indication of split between Khomeini and non-theocratic intellectuals. In a speech, Khomeini asked: "Who are they that wish to divert our Islamic movement from Islam? ... Intellectuals, do not be Western-style intellectuals, imported intellectuals."
- June 14: Official preliminary draft of the constitution published. Draft constitution contains Council of Guardians to veto un-Islamic legislation, but no Velayat-e faqih (Guardianship of the Islamic Jurists). Khomeini declares it `correct.`
- June 15: Khomeini attacks liberal and leftwing groups as `counter-revolutionaries` against Islam. Groups had advocated the election of a Constituent Assembly to write the new constitution. "No `Westernized jurists` are needed to write the constitution, only `noble members of the clergy.`" "Campaign launched to popularised the idea of the velayat-e faqih," hitherto virtually unknown to most Iranians.
- June 17: "Construction Jihad" was established by the order of the Ayatollah Khomeini.
- August 7: Ayandegan, "the daily newspaper with the widest circulation" in Iran, but "which had agitated against Velayat-e faqih" is banned under new press law for "counter-revolutionary policies and acts."
- August 10: Khomeini denounces opponents of the Assembly of Experts and defenders of Ayandegan newspaper calling them "wild animals" and saying, "We will not tolerate them any more ... After each revolution several thousand of these corrupt elements are executed in public and burnt ... We will close all parties except the one, or a few which act in a proper manner ..."
- August 12 (?th of MordadMordadMordad is the fifth month of the Iranian civil calendar of 1925. Mordad has 31 days and in more years begins on 23 July and ends on 22 August. In some years, Mordad begins on 22 July and ends on 21 August...
): More demonstrations. National Democratic Front schedules a mass demonstration to protest the closure of newspapers like Ayandegan. Demonstration is "viciously attacked by Hezbollah thugs." Shortly thereafter a warrant is issued for the arrest of Hedayat Matin Daftari, one of the National Democratic Front's leaders. Hundreds are injured by rocks, clubs, chains and iron bars. The next day Khomeini supporters attack and loot offices of leftist groups in retaliation for demonstrations. - August 15 (?th of MordadMordadMordad is the fifth month of the Iranian civil calendar of 1925. Mordad has 31 days and in more years begins on 23 July and ends on 22 August. In some years, Mordad begins on 22 July and ends on 21 August...
): Revolt in PavehPavehPaveh is a city in and the capital of Paveh County, Kermanshah Province, Iran. At the 2006 census, its population was 19,774, in 5,171 families....
. - August 18 (?th of MordadMordadMordad is the fifth month of the Iranian civil calendar of 1925. Mordad has 31 days and in more years begins on 23 July and ends on 22 August. In some years, Mordad begins on 22 July and ends on 21 August...
): Assembly of Experts for Constitution which were elected by people, gather to write a new constitution. - September 9: Mahmoud TaleghaniMahmoud TaleghaniAyatollah Mahmoud Taleghani was an Iranian theologian, humanist, Muslim reformer, democracy advocate and a senior Shi'a cleric of Iran. Taleghani was a contemporary of the Iranian Revolutionary leader Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini and a leader in his own right of Iran's Shi'a resistance movement...
, the high rank revolutionary cleric and member of revolutionary council, dies. A friend of the left, Taleghani is considered the second most popular ayatollah after Khomeini. - October 14: Assembly of Experts approves draft of new constitution. In it, Khomeini holds the position of vali-ye faqih, which includes "command of the armed forces"
- October 22: Cancer-ridden ex-Shah allowed to enter United States for medical treatment. Khomeini speaks out angrily at this "evidence of American plotting." Revolutionary denunciation of the Great Satan (America) intensifies.
- November 1: Prime Minister Bazargan photoed shaking hands with U.S. official Zbigniew Brzezinski at a meeting in Algeria. Radical leftist and theocratic media in Iran alerts the "nation of the return of American influence."
- November 4 (13th of AbanAbanApas is the Avestan language term for "the waters", which—in its innumerable aggregate states—is represented by the Apas, the hypostases of the waters....
): Muslim Student Followers of the Imam's LineMuslim Student Followers of the Imam's LineMuslim Student Followers of the Imam's Line , also translated as Muslim Students of the Imam Khomeini Line, was an Iranian student group that occupied the U.S. embassy in Tehran on 4 November 1979...
occupied the U.S. embassy in TehranTehranTehran , sometimes spelled Teheran, is the capital of Iran and Tehran Province. With an estimated population of 8,429,807; it is also Iran's largest urban area and city, one of the largest cities in Western Asia, and is the world's 19th largest city.In the 20th century, Tehran was subject to...
which resulted in Iran hostage crisisIran hostage crisisThe Iran hostage crisis was a diplomatic crisis between Iran and the United States where 52 Americans were held hostage for 444 days from November 4, 1979 to January 20, 1981, after a group of Islamist students and militants took over the American Embassy in Tehran in support of the Iranian...
. - November 6 (13th of AbanAbanApas is the Avestan language term for "the waters", which—in its innumerable aggregate states—is represented by the Apas, the hypostases of the waters....
): Mehdi BazarganMehdi BazarganMehdi Bazargan was a prominent Iranian scholar, academic, long-time pro-democracy activist and head of Iran's interim government, making him Iran's first prime minister after the Iranian Revolution of 1979. He was the head of the first engineering department of Tehran University...
, prime minister of The Interim Government of Iran, resigns, "unable to muster" support for "eviction of the students." Khomeini immediately accepts his resignation along with all the other members of his cabinet. - December 18 (27th of AzarAzarAzar is the 9th month of the Iranian civil calendar of 1925. Azar has 30 days and begins on November and ends on December. Azar is the 3rd month of Autumn....
): Mohammad MofattehMohammad MofattehMohammad Mofatteh was an Iranian philosopher.Dr. Mohammad Mofateh, the skillful philosopher, was born in 1928 in Hamedan.- Education :He had attended Akhund Mullah Ali Hamedani’s school in Hamadan...
assassinated by Forqan group. - December 2 and 3(11th and 12th of AzarAzarAzar is the 9th month of the Iranian civil calendar of 1925. Azar has 30 days and begins on November and ends on December. Azar is the 3rd month of Autumn....
): New Constitution of Iran was approved by referendum by over 98 percent of the vote, but much lower turnout because of boycott. Khomeini becomes vali-ye faqih.
1980
- January 25 (5th of BahmanBahmanBahman may refer to:* Bahman, the Zoroastrian Amesha Spenta* Bahman, the 11th month of the year in Zoroastrian & Iranian calendars, named after the Zoroastrian concept* Kai Bahman, a mythological king of Iran...
): The first presidential electionIranian presidential election, 1980The First Iranian presidential election was held on January 25, 1980.It was held one year after Iranian Revolution when the cabinet of Prime Minister Mehdi Bazargan was resigned and Council of Islamic Revolution was in power. 96 candidates ran in this election.Abulhassan Banisadr was elect as...
of the Islamic Republic. Abolhassan BanisadrAbolhassan BanisadrAbulhassan Banisadr is an Iranian politician, economist and human rights activist who served as the first President of Iran from 4 February 1980 after the 1979 Iranian Revolution and the abolition of the monarchy until his impeachment on 21 June 1981 by the Parliament of Iran...
elected as President of Islamic republicIslamic republicIslamic republic is the name given to several states in the Muslim world including the Islamic Republics of Pakistan, Iran, Afghanistan, and Mauritania. Pakistan adopted the title under the constitution of 1956. Mauritania adopted it on 28 November 1958. Iran adopted it after the 1979 Iranian...
. His term in office is beset by struggles between him and officials of the Islamic Republic Party. - March 15 (24th of EsfandEsfandEsfand is the 12th month of the Iranian civil calendar of 1925.Esfand has 29 days and begins on February and ends on March. Esfand is the 3rd month of Winter....
): First round of elections of first Islamic parliamentMajlis of IranThe National Consultative Assembly of Iran , also called The Iranian Parliament or People's House, is the national legislative body of Iran...
. Islamic Republican Party mobilises its network among clergy, komitehs and the revolutionary guard. Hezbollah attacks rallies and offices of opposition parties, primarily the Mojahedin-e Khalq, as most other parties have been effectively repressed. - March 21: Cultural revolution begins. In New Year's speech, Khomeini inveighs against "imperialist universities" where those "cloaked with the West" teach and study. Declares the universities must "become Islamic."
- April 7 (18th of FarvardinFarvardinFarvardin is the first month of the Iranian civil calendar of 1925. Farvardin has 31 days and in 75 years of 100 years begins on 21 March and ends on 20 April. In 25 years, Farvardin begins on 19 or 22 March and ends on 18 or 21 April. Farvardin is the first month of spring, and is followed by...
): The United StatesUnited StatesThe United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
breaks diplomatic relations with Iran. - April 25 (5th of OrdibeheshtOrdibeheshtOrdibehesht is the 2nd month of the Iranian civil calendar of 1925. Ordibehesht has 31 days and begins in April and ends in May. Ordibehesht is the 2nd month of spring....
): Operation Eagle ClawOperation Eagle ClawOperation Eagle Claw was an American military operation ordered by President Jimmy Carter to attempt to put an end to the Iran hostage crisis by rescuing 52 Americans held captive at the U.S. Embassy in Tehran, Iran on 24 April 1980...
;TehranTehranTehran , sometimes spelled Teheran, is the capital of Iran and Tehran Province. With an estimated population of 8,429,807; it is also Iran's largest urban area and city, one of the largest cities in Western Asia, and is the world's 19th largest city.In the 20th century, Tehran was subject to...
hostage rescue mission fails with the death of eight U.S. soldiers because of sand storm. Khomeini credits divine intervention on behalf of Islam. His prestige is greatly enhanced. Bani-Sadr's is further reduced. - June 12 (23rd of KhordadKhordadKhordad is the 3rd month of the Iranian civil calendar of 1925.khordad has 31 days and begins on May and ends on June. Khordad is the 3rd month of spring....
): Formation of the university jihad by decree of Ayatollah Khomeini. and The Cultural Revolution to islamizationIslamizationIslamization or Islamification has been used to describe the process of a society's conversion to the religion of Islam...
of universities. - July: IslamizationIslamizationIslamization or Islamification has been used to describe the process of a society's conversion to the religion of Islam...
of state bureaucracy begins. Approximately 20,000 teachers and nearly 8000 military officers are discharged. - July 11 (21st of TirTIRTir, tir or TIR may mean:* The French term for Schützenfest, a target-shooting competition* Tir , the fourth month in the Iranian calendar* Occasional spelling of the Old Norse theonym Tyr...
): Nojeh CoupNojeh CoupThe Nojeh coup was an attempt to overthrow the newly established Islamic Republic of Iran, and the government of Abolhassan Banisadr and Ayatollah Khomeini that occurred on July 11, 1980...
attempt by a portion of the air force personnels is unsuccessful. They are accused of being loyal to Shah and 121 of them are executed - July 27 (5th of MordadMordadMordad is the fifth month of the Iranian civil calendar of 1925. Mordad has 31 days and in more years begins on 23 July and ends on 22 August. In some years, Mordad begins on 22 July and ends on 21 August...
): Mohammad Reza Shah dies of cancer in EgyptEgyptEgypt , officially the Arab Republic of Egypt, Arabic: , is a country mainly in North Africa, with the Sinai Peninsula forming a land bridge in Southwest Asia. Egypt is thus a transcontinental country, and a major power in Africa, the Mediterranean Basin, the Middle East and the Muslim world...
. - August: Bani Sadr forced to accept Ali Raja'i as prime minister. Bani Sadr considers Raja'i to be "incompetent", but Raja'i has the support of the Islamic Revolution Party.
- September 22 (31st of ShahrivarShahrivarShahrivar is the 6th month of the Iranian civil calendar of 1925. Shahrivar has 31 days and begins on August and ends on September. Shahrivar is the 3rd month of summer....
): Iran–Iraq War starts. Massive invasion of Iran by Iraq following border skirmishes and a dispute over the Arvand Rūd (Persian: اروندرود, literally Arvand River) or as it is known in Iraq the Shatt al-Arab (Arabic: شط العرب, literally Coast/Beach of the Arabs) waterway. Marks beginning of a war that will last eight years. - October 26 (4th of AbanAbanApas is the Avestan language term for "the waters", which—in its innumerable aggregate states—is represented by the Apas, the hypostases of the waters....
): KhorramshahrKhorramshahrKhorramshahr is a city in and the capital of Khorramshahr County, Khuzestan Province, Iran. At the 2006 census, its population was 123,866, in 26,385 families.Khorramshahr is a port city located approximately north of Abadan...
occupied by Iraqis during
1981
- January 19 (27th of DeyDeyDey was the title given to the rulers of the Regency of Algiers and Tripoli under the Ottoman Empire from 1671 onwards...
): Algiers AccordsAlgiers AccordsThe Algiers Accords of January 19, 1981, were brokered by the Algerian government between the United States and Iran to resolve the Iran hostage crisis. The crisis arose from the takeover of the American embassy in Tehran on November 4, 1979, and the taking hostage of the American staff there...
, between Iran and the United States, mediated by AlgeriaAlgeriaAlgeria , officially the People's Democratic Republic of Algeria , also formally referred to as the Democratic and Popular Republic of Algeria, is a country in the Maghreb region of Northwest Africa with Algiers as its capital.In terms of land area, it is the largest country in Africa and the Arab...
, to resolve a Iran hostage crisisIran hostage crisisThe Iran hostage crisis was a diplomatic crisis between Iran and the United States where 52 Americans were held hostage for 444 days from November 4, 1979 to January 20, 1981, after a group of Islamist students and militants took over the American Embassy in Tehran in support of the Iranian...
. In exchange for the release of the hostages by Iran, the United States agreed to unfreeze Iranian assets. - January 20 (28th of DeyDeyDey was the title given to the rulers of the Regency of Algiers and Tripoli under the Ottoman Empire from 1671 onwards...
), on the day Ronald ReaganRonald ReaganRonald Wilson Reagan was the 40th President of the United States , the 33rd Governor of California and, prior to that, a radio, film and television actor....
is inaugurated as president of the USA: The hostages in the US embassy were released, after 444 days, USA conceded to transfer money, as well as export military equipment to Iran. - June 21 (31st of KhordadKhordadKhordad is the 3rd month of the Iranian civil calendar of 1925.khordad has 31 days and begins on May and ends on June. Khordad is the 3rd month of spring....
): Abolhassan BanisadrAbolhassan BanisadrAbulhassan Banisadr is an Iranian politician, economist and human rights activist who served as the first President of Iran from 4 February 1980 after the 1979 Iranian Revolution and the abolition of the monarchy until his impeachment on 21 June 1981 by the Parliament of Iran...
, first president of Islamic republic, was impeachedImpeachmentImpeachment is a formal process in which an official is accused of unlawful activity, the outcome of which, depending on the country, may include the removal of that official from office as well as other punishment....
by the parliamentMajlis of IranThe National Consultative Assembly of Iran , also called The Iranian Parliament or People's House, is the national legislative body of Iran...
. - June 22 (1st of TirTIRTir, tir or TIR may mean:* The French term for Schützenfest, a target-shooting competition* Tir , the fourth month in the Iranian calendar* Occasional spelling of the Old Norse theonym Tyr...
): Abolhassan BanisadrAbolhassan BanisadrAbulhassan Banisadr is an Iranian politician, economist and human rights activist who served as the first President of Iran from 4 February 1980 after the 1979 Iranian Revolution and the abolition of the monarchy until his impeachment on 21 June 1981 by the Parliament of Iran...
was dismissed by Supreme LeaderSupreme leaderA supreme leader typically refers to a figure in the highest leadership position of an entity, group, organization, or state, who exercises strong or all-powerful authority over it. In religion, the supreme leader or supreme leaders is God or Gods...
, Khomeini. - June 28 (7th of TirTIRTir, tir or TIR may mean:* The French term for Schützenfest, a target-shooting competition* Tir , the fourth month in the Iranian calendar* Occasional spelling of the Old Norse theonym Tyr...
): Explosion of the office of Islamic Republic Party by MEK which resulted in killing of 72 high-ranking officials and representatives including Mohammad Beheshti the secretary-general of the party and head of Judicial system of IranJudicial system of IranA nationwide judicial system in Iran was first implemented and established by Abdolhossein Teymourtash under Reza Shah, with further changes during the second Pahlavi era....
. - July 24 (2nd of MordadMordadMordad is the fifth month of the Iranian civil calendar of 1925. Mordad has 31 days and in more years begins on 23 July and ends on 22 August. In some years, Mordad begins on 22 July and ends on 21 August...
): Presidential electionIranian presidential election, July 1981The Iranian presidential election of July 1981 took place on July 24, 1981 after the previous Iranian president, Abolhassan Banisadr, was impeached by the Majlis on June 21 and then sacked by the Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Khomeini, on June 22...
took place and Mohammad-Ali Rajai chosen as president. - August 30 (8th of ShahrivarShahrivarShahrivar is the 6th month of the Iranian civil calendar of 1925. Shahrivar has 31 days and begins on August and ends on September. Shahrivar is the 3rd month of summer....
): President Rajai and his prime minister (BahonarBahonarBahonar may refer to either of two Iranian politicians, who are brothers:* Mohammad Javad Bahonar, the Prime Minister of Iran assassinated in 1981* Mohammad Reza Bahonar, the current Deputy Speaker of Majlis of IranBahonar is also an Iranian placename....
) were killed in a bombing incident. - September 2 (11th of ShahrivarShahrivarShahrivar is the 6th month of the Iranian civil calendar of 1925. Shahrivar has 31 days and begins on August and ends on September. Shahrivar is the 3rd month of summer....
): parliamentMajlis of IranThe National Consultative Assembly of Iran , also called The Iranian Parliament or People's House, is the national legislative body of Iran...
voted in favour of Mohammad Reza Mahdavi-Kani as the prime minister of The Interim government of the Islamic Republic, to hold next presidential election and govern country until then. - September 21 (30th of ShahrivarShahrivarShahrivar is the 6th month of the Iranian civil calendar of 1925. Shahrivar has 31 days and begins on August and ends on September. Shahrivar is the 3rd month of summer....
): The Interim government of the Islamic Republic was established after assassination of Mohammad Ali Rajai and Mohammad Javad Bahonar. - September 27 to September 29(5th to 7th of MehrMehrMehr, or Mihr may refer to:Hindu / Zoroastrian names* Mehr, an alternative name for Mithra, a Hindu / Zoroastrian divinity* Mehr , the seventh month of the year and the sixteenth day of the month of the Iranian Calendar and Zoroastrian calendar, which are dedicated to the namesake divinity* Mehr's...
): Operation Samen-ol-A'emehOperation Samen-ol-A'emehOperation Samen-ol-A'emeh was an offensive of the Iran-Iraq war between 27 September-29 September 1981 where Iran retook the city of Abadan from the Iraqis in the Battle of Abadan....
; Breaking the siege of Abadan which was the turning point in Iran–Iraq War. - October 2 (10th of MehrMehrMehr, or Mihr may refer to:Hindu / Zoroastrian names* Mehr, an alternative name for Mithra, a Hindu / Zoroastrian divinity* Mehr , the seventh month of the year and the sixteenth day of the month of the Iranian Calendar and Zoroastrian calendar, which are dedicated to the namesake divinity* Mehr's...
): Presidential electionIranian presidential election, October 1981The Iranian presidential election of October 1981, took place on October 2, 1981, after the assassination of Mohammad Ali Rajai, the previous President of Iran, during the interim prime ministership of Mohammad Reza Mahdavi-Kani...
took place and Ali KhameneiAli KhameneiAyatollah Seyed Ali Hoseyni Khāmene’i is the Supreme Leader of Iran and the figurative head of the Muslim conservative establishment in Iran and Twelver Shi'a marja...
chosen as president. - October 13 (21st of MehrMehrMehr, or Mihr may refer to:Hindu / Zoroastrian names* Mehr, an alternative name for Mithra, a Hindu / Zoroastrian divinity* Mehr , the seventh month of the year and the sixteenth day of the month of the Iranian Calendar and Zoroastrian calendar, which are dedicated to the namesake divinity* Mehr's...
): Ali KhameneiAli KhameneiAyatollah Seyed Ali Hoseyni Khāmene’i is the Supreme Leader of Iran and the figurative head of the Muslim conservative establishment in Iran and Twelver Shi'a marja...
officially became president. - October 29 (7th of AbanAbanApas is the Avestan language term for "the waters", which—in its innumerable aggregate states—is represented by the Apas, the hypostases of the waters....
): parliamentMajlis of IranThe National Consultative Assembly of Iran , also called The Iranian Parliament or People's House, is the national legislative body of Iran...
voted in favour of Mir-Hossein MousaviMir-Hossein MousaviMir-Hossein Mousavi Khameneh is an Iranian reformist politician, artist and architect who served as the seventy-ninth and last Prime Minister of Iran from 1981 to 1989. He was a Reformist candidate for the 2009 presidential election and eventually the leader of the opposition in the post-election...
as the prime minister and the new government replaced Interim Government.
Further reading
- Arjomand, Said Amir, The Turban for the Crown : The Islamic Revolution in Iran, Oxford University Press, c1988
- Harney, Desmond, The Priest and the King : An Eyewitness Account of the Iranian Revolution, Tauris Publishers, 1998
- Mackey, Sandra. The Iranians : Persia, Islam and the Soul of a Nation, 1996
- Schirazi, Asghar, The Constitution of Iran, Tauris, 1997
- Taheri, Amir, The Spirit of Allah : Khomeini and the Islamic Revolution, Adler and Adler, c1985