Ali Khamenei was born on 19 April 1939 in Mashhad. An Iranian Shia cleric and politician, Khamenei took part in the movement against the Shah and later served in the Islamic Republic's first governments. He was elected president in 1981, after the assassination of his predecessor, and survived a bomb attack that left his right arm paralyzed. After the death of Ruhollah Khomeini in 1989 he was chosen as Supreme Leader, holding ultimate authority over the armed forces, the judiciary and state media. His long tenure was marked by confrontation with the United States and Israel, disputes over Iran's nuclear programme, and repeated crackdowns on protests. According to the dates provided, he held the position until his death in 2026.
Before and after
- 7 April 1939Birth of Francis Ford Coppola
- from 7 April 1939 to 12 April 1939Italian invasion of Albania
- 13 April 1939Birth of Seamus Heaney
- 14 April 1939Publication of The Grapes of Wrath
- 19 April 1939Birth of Ali Khamenei
- from 11 May 1939 to 16 September 1939Battles of Khalkhin Gol
- 22 May 1939Pact of Steel
- 2 July 1939Founding of Hewlett-Packard
- 9 August 1939Birth of Romano Prodi
More in Wars, politics & history
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- 4 June 1917Pulitzer Prize
- 24 July 1923Treaty of Lausanne
- 30 September 1938Munich agreement
- from 7 December 1941 to 2 September 1945Pacific War
- from 6 June 1944 to 29 August 1944Normandy landings
The era
This moment belongs to the Modern era (1914 CE to 1945 CE), world wars and a changing world. You can also browse everything in the 20th century.