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The late founder of the Islamic Republic Imam Khomeini ordered authorities to hold a referendum allowing the nation to take its future into its own hands.
“Independence, Freedom, Islamic Republic” … this was the main slogan people chanted as they took part in mass demonstrations that led to the overthrow of the Pahlavi regime and the victory of the Islamic revolution on February 11, 1979.
The historic referendum was held on March 30 and 31, 1979, and the results were announced a day later on April 1, indicating 98.2 percent of people had voted ‘Yes’ to establishing an Islamic Republic. This put an end to 2,500 years of monarchy in Iran. The day has since been named ‘the Islamic Republic Day’ in the Iranian calendar and is a national holiday.
Meanwhile the referendum conveyed this message to the world that the new establishment in Iran is based on both Islamic and democratic values.
Since the establishment of the Islamic Republic, Iran has held dozens of elections for parliament, presidency, city councils, and the Assembly of Experts, and it serves as a role model and a source of inspiration for many nations across the world.
Iran commemorates the 45th anniversary of the establishment of the Islamic Republic on the back of a historic referendum, in which Iranians voted overwhelmingly in favor of departure from monarchical rule weeks after the collapse of the US-backed Pahlavi regime.
In a landmark referendum, more than 98.2 percent of eligible Iranians voted “yes” for the establishment of an Islamic Republic in the country.
The vote, which was held less than two months after the victory of the Islamic Revolution, is considered a turning point in the modern history of Iran.
The Islamic Republic was established in Iran in line with the popular motto of the 1979 Islamic Revolution that called for “Independence, Freedom and the Islamic Republic” for the country.
Since then, the nation annually celebrates Farvardin 12 (April 1) on the Iranian calendar as the Islamic Republic Day.
The Islamic Revolution, led by the late Imam Khomeini, culminated in the overthrow of Mohammad Reza Pahlavi and put an end to 2,500 years of monarchical rule in Iran.
