Iranians have started Ten-Day Dawn ceremonies across the country, marking the 39th anniversary of the 1979 Islamic Revolution, which put an end to the ruling of the US-backed Pahlavi regime in Iran.
The ceremonies started all over Iran on Thursday at 9:27 a.m. local time, symbolically marking the precise time when the late founder of the Islamic Republic, Imam Khomeini, arrived back home from exile on February 1, 1979.
Imam Khomeini spent more than 14 years in exile, mostly in the Iraqi holy city of Najaf. He also spent some time in Turkey and France before his return to Iran.
Millions of people had converged on the capital from across the country on the day of his return. His arrival gave considerable momentum to popular protests against the US-backed Pahlavi regime, which eventually led to its overthrow 10 days later.
The festivities will culminate in nationwide rallies on February 11 this year, the anniversary of the Islamic Revolution.
The festivities will culminate in nationwide rallies on February 11 this year, the anniversary of the Islamic Revolution.
During the 10-Day Dawn celebrations, Iranians take part in different events and activities to mark the occasion.
The Islamic Revolution established a new political system; a republic based on Islamic values and democracy.
By toppling the Pahlavi regime 39 years ago, the Iranian nation ended 2,500 years of monarchic rule in the country.