The Tehran Times, which began publishing in 1979, was founded during the early years of Iran’s quest for independence. The English-language daily newspaper has been regarded by Mohammad Beheshti, one of the most influential and renowned figures of the Islamic Republic, as the “voice of the Islamic Revolution”.

Such a label, made the staff at the Tehran Times feel an even bigger responsibility to accurately and effectively report the daily occurrences in the country and become a helping hand in the consolidation and entrenchment of the new people-led governance. For that, the paper needed to follow the events with a keen eye and try to draw attention to issues that were essential to be addressed.

That’s why with the approaching of the 10-day Fajr occasion, the period from February 1st (Bahman 12th) to February 11th (Bahman 22nd) of 1977 during which Imam Khomeini returned to Iran after 15 years of exile, we have decided to take a look at how the Tehran Times commemorated the historic period in February of 1980. Such an act would help us understand where we stand today, and give us a clearer vision of the hardships Iranians had to endure to be able to celebrate the 45th anniversary of the victory of the Islamic Revolution today. February 1st in the year 1980 was a Friday. The Tehran Times’s covering of the Fajr decade began a day later, on Saturday.

Tuesday, February 12, 1980

Iran celebrates 1st anniversary of Islamic Revolution

On February 12, a day after the first anniversary of the victory of the Iranian Revolution, the Tehran Times devoted a vast part of its coverage to celebrations that had taken place across the country. People from all walks of life had taken to the streets in various Iranian cities to voice their delight and express hope for the future of their now independent country. This tradition has persisted till today. On February 12th of 2024 even more people marched through the streets than the ones who had showed up in 1980, to let the global arrogance know that even after 45 years, the Iranian people are still committed to the Islamic Revolution and its values. 

“Iran celebrated the first Anniversary of its Islamic Revolution yesterday with military parades here and in other major cities. 

Millions of Iranians, chanting slogans and burning incense, celebrated the first anniversary of the nation’s revolutionary government with a victory parade through Tehran. 

Roads leading to the parade route were filled with people as far as the eye could see, many of them chanting: “Allah-o-Akbar,” God is Great. Many Iranians were so excited they stormed into the line of march and the radio appealed for them to move back to the sidewalk. 

Imam Khomeini from his hospital bed yesterday, warned the Islamic world against any accommodation with the East or the West. His message was read by his son, Hojjatoleslam Ahmad Khomeini, before a tumultuous gathering of hundreds of thousands of people at Liberty Square in Western Tehran,” The Tehran Times reported.