Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
1906
The 'Constitutional Revolution' sees Iran get the Middle East's first constitution after
public outrage at Mozaffar-e-din Shah's reckless spending threatens to boil over into
revolt. A Majlis (parliament) is formed.
1921
Soldier Reza Khan takes control of the army in a coup. By 1925 he has crowned him-
self the first shah of the Pahlavi line. He sets about modernising Iran.
1941
Reza Shah's support for Nazi Germany prompts an invasion by Soviet and British
forces. Reza Shah is exiled and his 21-year-old son Mohammad Reza becomes shah.
1951-53
Having arranged the nationalisation of the British-owned Anglo-Iranian Oil Company
in 1951, Mohammad Mossadegh is elected prime minister only to be overthrown in a
coup orchestrated by the America's CIA.
1962
Mohammad Reza embarks on an ambitious reform agenda, known as the White Re-
volution, to improve education and women's rights, reform land title and erode the
power of the clerics.
16 Jan, 1979
After months of demonstrations, crackdowns, funerals and more demonstrations, Mo-
hammad Reza Shah Pahlavi and his family leave Iran. In 1980 he dies of cancer in
Egypt.
1 Feb, 1979
Ayatollah Khomeini, now 77, returns and turns a broad-based revolutionary movement
into a victory for hardline Islamic forces. In April a referendum confirms Iran as an
Islamic Republic.
4 Nov, 1979
