Iranian Revolution anniversary stamp

The Iranian Revolution of 1978-1979

Transformed Iran from monarchy (ruler: Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi) to Islamic republic (ruler: Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini)

The Iranian Revolution of 1979, NPR The Picture Show

Click here to watch a short video about events of the Iranian revolution.

Cross-Link: Events in the Modern Middle East and Islamic Fundamentalism

Overthrow of Shah Reza Pahlavi statue, Tehran University

1. Began January 1978 ended April 1979 with a theocratic constitution (Iran Constitution of 1979)
2. Shah Pahlavi left in exile and led strikes and demonstrations against Iran
3. Guerrillas and rebel troops attacked loyal Shah troops. Angry students and other religious leaders attacked over a libelous story of Khomeini. Several students were killed. In response, Iran’s military declared itself as neutral.
4. On March 29th security forces took action when more protests occurred. Cinemas, banks, hotels, government offices, and other Shah Regime buildings were destroyed.
5. On April 1st 1979 Iran voted to become an Islamic Republic, and Ayatollah Khomeini was elected 'Supreme Leader".

Iranian Hostage Crisis

Overview of the Crisis from the U. S. Department of State

Overview of the Crisis from the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library

20 Years After the Hostages: Declassified Documents on Iran and the United States from the National Security Archive.

Learning Plans

• Jimmy Carter and the Iranian Hostage Crisis, White House Historical Association

• The Iran Hostage Crisis, University of Maryland, Baltimore County 

Citizens after Iranian Revolution

A timeline that briefly covers all the major events that characterize US-Iranian relations from the coup in 1953 to the assassination of Qasem Soleimani in January 2020.