A Day That Shook The World: Ayatollah Khomeini returns from exile
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.On 1 February 1979 religious leader Ayatollah Khomeini returned to Iran after 14-years in exile.
The most influential leader of the opposition to Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, the Shah, had spent many months while in exile urging Iranians to rise up against the regime.
Just two weeks after the Shah left the country, never to return, Khomeini returned to great fanfare, welcomed by a crowd of over 5 million.
The Shah's government was declared illegal and Iran became an Islamic state under Khomeini's leadership.
Watch the frenzy of his rapturous welcome in this British Pathe newsreel:
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments