The Iranian Revolution overthrew Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi and ended the monarchy that had ruled Iran for centuries. It grew out of broad discontent with the shah's authoritarian rule, the repression carried out by his secret police SAVAK, economic inequality and rapid Westernisation, and it united clergy, merchants, students, liberals and leftists. Mass demonstrations and strikes grew through 1978, and the shah left the country in January 1979. Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, in exile for years, returned in triumph, and a referendum in the spring of 1979 established an Islamic Republic. The revolution reshaped the Middle East, led to the hostage crisis with the United States and to the war with Iraq.
Before and after
- 25 October 1977Creation of OpenVMS
- 19 November 1977Birth of Mette Frederiksen
- 25 December 1977Death of Charlie Chaplin
- 31 December 1977Birth of Psy
- from January 1978 to February 1979Iranian Revolution
- 1978Origins of Ironman Triathlon
- 1978Nicaraguan Revolution
- 1978Founding of United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon
- 1978Founding of Human Rights Watch
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The era
This moment belongs to the Contemporary world (1945 CE to today), the world since 1945. You can also browse everything in the 20th century.