The day January 16, 1979 is an unforgettable day in contemporary Iranian History; the day that Shah, unable to suppress of the risen Iranian people, who shouted “Down with the Shah”, and after 37 years of despotic rule, fled the country. The people poured to the streets in an unprecedented manner and in a great national jubilation celebrated Shah’s escape with caper in the streets and alleys in all Iranian cities and towns.
During the nationalist government of Dr. Mosaddeq and when the first round of coup against him was defeated, Shah fled the country for the first time; but a few days later he returned by a coup on Aug. 19, 1953 arranged by foreigners, and continued its anti-people reign for 25 more years.