Persian Celebrations

Nowruz is the oldest Iranian celebration, observed for over 3,000 years. It symbolizes the victory of light over darkness and the arrival of spring. Recognized by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage, over 300 million people worldwide celebrate Nowruz.

Princess Leila Pahlavi was born on March 27, 1970 in Tehran. She was the youngest child of Mohammad Reza Shah and Shahbanou Farah. Leila was an intelligent, artistic, and beautiful woman who suffered greatly in exile.

Sizdah Bedar marks the 13th and final day of Nowruz celebrations. Iranians spend this day in nature, releasing the Haft-Sin sprouts into flowing water. This tradition symbolizes the deep connection between Iranians and nature.

Princess Noor Pahlavi was born on April 3, 1992 in Washington, DC. She is the eldest daughter of Prince Reza Pahlavi and Yasmine Pahlavi. Noor graduated in psychology from Georgetown University and holds an MBA from Columbia University.

Ordibeheshtan honors the Amesha Spenta of fire and truth. Ancient Iranians celebrated sacred fire on this day, committing to purity and truthfulness - core values of Persian civilization.

On April 26, 2025, a deadly explosion occurred in Bandar Abbas that claimed many lives. This day is observed in memory of the victims of this tragedy.

Prince Alireza Pahlavi was born on April 28, 1966 in Tehran. He was the second son of Mohammad Reza Shah and Shahbanou Farah. Alireza was a Harvard and Columbia graduate who deeply loved Iranian history and culture.

Khordadgan celebrates the Amesha Spenta guardian of waters, symbolizing perfection and wholeness. Iranians traditionally gathered near springs and rivers on this day.

Princess Leila Pahlavi passed away on June 10, 2001 in London at age 31. She was the youngest child of Mohammad Reza Shah and Shahbanou Farah. Leila suffered greatly in exile, and the pain of separation from her homeland broke her heart. May she rest in peace.

National Lion and Sun Day honors Majid Reza Rahnavard, a 23-year-old from Mashhad who was arrested during the Woman, Life, Freedom movement and publicly executed after only 23 days. He is called "Lion of Khorasan" and "Gallows Hero." Prince Reza Pahlavi praised this designation as a wise choice.

Sarina Esmailzadeh was born on July 2, 2006. She was a 16-year-old student at Farzanegan School in Karaj and a YouTuber. In one video she said: "Nothing feels better than freedom." She was killed by security forces on September 23, 2022 from repeated baton blows to her head.

Tirgan is one of the greatest Iranian festivals, celebrated with water splashing and joy. It commemorates the legendary archer Arash, who sacrificed his life shooting an arrow to determine Iran's borders - a symbol of patriotism.

Navid Afkari was born on July 22, 1993 in Shiraz. He was an Iranian wrestling champion who started wrestling at age 9 and ranked 2nd nationally in youth Greco-Roman wrestling in 2008. He was executed on September 12, 2020 in Adelabad Prison on false charges. The Iranian Freedom Loving Athletes Association has designated his birthday as "Champion's Day."

Yasmine Pahlavi was born on July 26, 1968 in Tehran. She is the wife of Prince Reza Pahlavi and mother of Princesses Noor, Iman, and Farah. Yasmine holds a Juris Doctor from George Washington University and co-founded the Foundation for the Children of Iran.

Reza Shah the Great passed away on July 26, 1944 in Johannesburg, South Africa in exile. He founded the Pahlavi dynasty and transformed Iran through extensive modernization reforms.

Mohammad Reza Shah Pahlavi passed away on July 27, 1980 in Cairo, Egypt in exile. He was the last Shah of Iran, overthrown by the revolution. May his memory be honored.

Amordadgan honors the Amesha Spenta of immortality. The original name is "Amordad" (immortality), NOT "Mordad" (death). The "A" prefix is a negation. Amordad is the guardian of plants and symbolizes eternal life in Persian culture.

On 5 August 1906, Mozaffar ad-Din Shah signed the Constitutional Decree, giving Iran a parliament and a constitution. Constitution Day was an official Iranian celebration until 1979 — a reminder that the rule of law has deep roots in Iran.

On 25 Amordad 1332 (16 August 1953), Mohammad Mosaddegh rejected the Shah's lawful decree dismissing him as prime minister and arrested its bearer — a coup against the constitution and the crown. On 28 Amordad (19 August) the people and the army rose, Mosaddegh's government fell, and Mohammad Reza Shah returned to Iran. In the Pahlavi era this day was celebrated as the National Uprising of 28 Amordad.

Shahrivargan celebrates the Amesha Spenta of righteous power and just governance. It commemorates the divine glory (Farr) and just rulership in Persian culture.

Pouya Bakhtiari was an electrical engineering graduate killed at age 27 during the November 2019 protests by a gunshot to the head in Karaj. Known as the "Face of Bloody November," his parents were imprisoned for holding memorial services.

Princess Iman Pahlavi was born on September 12, 1993 in suburban Washington, DC. She is the second daughter of Prince Reza Pahlavi and Yasmine Pahlavi. Iman graduated from The Bullis School in Potomac, Maryland.

Navid Afkari, an Iranian wrestling champion, was executed on September 12, 2020 in Adelabad Prison in Shiraz on false charges. He was arrested during the 2018 protests and despite worldwide appeals including from the International Olympic Committee President, the execution was carried out. Navid became a symbol of Iranian athletes' resistance against tyranny.

Mahsa (Zhina) Amini was a 22-year-old Kurdish woman who died on September 13, 2022 after being arrested by the morality police for "improper hijab." Her death sparked the largest protest movement in the Islamic Republic's history with the slogan "Woman, Life, Freedom."

Nika Shakarami was a 16-year-old girl from Khorramabad who disappeared on September 20, 2022 during the Woman, Life, Freedom protests. Her body was found 8 days later. Her family intended to bury her on her 17th birthday. Nika became a symbol of youth resistance in Iran.

Hadis Najafi was a 22-year-old who was shot at least 6 times in the face, hand, neck, abdomen and heart on September 21, 2022 in Mehrshahr, Karaj. The night before, she messaged a friend: "I like to think that when I think about this a few years later, I'll be pleased I joined the protest."

Behnam Layeghpour was a 37-year-old man killed by direct gunfire on September 21, 2022 during protests in Rasht, in front of his girlfriend Ghazal. She was later abducted for mourning him and sent to a psychiatric hospital. His grave was destroyed by the regime.

Sarina Esmailzadeh was a 16-year-old from Karaj who was killed on September 23, 2022 by security forces from repeated baton blows to her head. She was a student at Farzanegan School and a YouTuber who said in one video: "Nothing feels better than freedom." The regime claimed suicide but evidence shows otherwise.

Nika Shakarami was born on October 2, 2005 in Khorramabad. She lost her life at age 16 during the Woman, Life, Freedom movement. Known as the "Angel of Freedom," Nika became a symbol of the young generation standing for Iran's liberty.

Mehregan is the second most important Iranian festival after Nowruz. Dedicated to Mithra, the deity of covenant and friendship. In ancient Iran, it was a harvest festival of thanksgiving.

From 12 to 16 October 1971, the 2,500-year celebration of the founding of the Persian Empire was held at Pasargadae and Persepolis, where Mohammad Reza Shah declared before the tomb of Cyrus: "Cyrus, sleep in peace, for we are awake."

Shahbanou Farah Pahlavi was born on October 14, 1938 in Tehran. She is the last Empress of Iran and wife of Mohammad Reza Shah Pahlavi. She has always been a patron of Iranian art, culture and heritage, and remains the voice of the Iranian nation in exile.

Mehrshad Shahidi, known as Iran's Jamie Oliver, was a 19-year-old celebrity chef with 25,000 Instagram followers. He was arrested by IRGC in Arak on October 26, 2022, one day before his 20th birthday, and beaten to death with batons. At his funeral, crowds chanted: "You jealous angel, happy birthday." His family was pressured to claim he died of a heart attack.

Birthday of Mohammad Reza Shah Pahlavi, Shahanshah of Iran. This day is celebrated as the Day of National Pride and Authority.

Mehrshad Shahidi was born on October 27, 2002. He gained fame by sharing cooking videos on social media and was known as Iran's Jamie Oliver. Sadly, he never celebrated his 20th birthday as he was killed by regime forces one day before.

Day honoring Gordafarid, the heroic woman of Shahnameh, and Kaveh the Blacksmith who rose against the tyranny of Zahhak. Symbols of Iranian resistance and courage.

Day commemorating Cyrus the Great, founder of the Achaemenid Empire and author of the first human rights charter.

Remembering the day the US Embassy in Tehran was seized, marking the beginning of the hostage crisis and the exile of millions of Iranians.

Birthday of Prince Reza Pahlavi, the hope of the Iranian nation for freedom. This day is celebrated as the Day of Hope and Struggle.

Abanagan honors Anahita, the goddess of waters and fertility. Ancient Iranians gathered near seas and rivers on this day, paying respect to the purity of waters. We are a Nation of Light!

Yalda Aghafazli was a 19-year-old artist and protester who died on November 11, 2022 under suspicious circumstances two days after her release from prison. She was arrested on October 26 at protests in Tehran and held 15 days in Evin and Qarchak prisons. The regime claimed suicide but friends say she never used drugs and would never kill herself.

On November 15, 2019, widespread protests against fuel price hikes began across Iran. The Islamic regime responded by cutting internet and shooting directly at protesters, killing hundreds. This uprising is known as "Bloody November."

On November 15, 2019, widespread protests against fuel price hikes began across Iran. The Islamic regime responded by cutting internet and shooting directly at protesters, killing hundreds. This uprising is known as "Bloody November."

Pouya Bakhtiari was killed on November 16, 2019 in Karaj by a gunshot to the head. He was 27 years old with an electrical engineering degree. His parents were imprisoned for holding memorial services. Pouya became the face of Bloody November.

Pejman Gholipour was an 18-year-old killed on November 17, 2019 during the Aban 98 protests in Marlik, Fardis, Karaj, struck by 5 bullets from security forces. He was added to the list of children killed in Aban 98. His mother Mahboubeh Ramezani, one of the "Aban Mothers," has been repeatedly arrested for seeking justice and sentenced to 100 lashes.

Azargan celebrates sacred fire. Fire in Persian culture symbolizes light, truth, and purity - it was never worshipped but respected as a symbol of divine light.

On 12 December 1946, the Iranian army liberated Azerbaijan from the Soviet-backed separatist Ferqeh, preserving Iran's territorial integrity. It was an official national day until 1979.

Yalda Aghafazli was born on Yalda Night (December 22, 2002) and was named after the Persian winter solstice celebration. She was an artist and protester who was arrested at age 19 for participating in Woman, Life, Freedom protests and died under suspicious circumstances. Her name symbolizes the triumph of light over darkness.

Deygan celebrates the creation of the world and the birth of Mithra (sun). It is celebrated near the winter solstice.

Prince Alireza Pahlavi passed away on January 4, 2011 in Boston at age 44. He was the second son of Mohammad Reza Shah and Shahbanou Farah. Alireza was a scholar and Harvard/Columbia graduate who deeply loved Iranian history and culture. May he rest in peace.

Hadis Najafi was born on January 5, 2000 in Karaj. At age 22, she was killed by six bullets on September 21, 2022 during Woman, Life, Freedom protests. The iconic image of her tying her hair without hijab before joining the protest became a global symbol of the movement and went viral in international media.

On 8 January 1936, Reza Shah the Great took the historic step of women's emancipation — a path that led to suffrage, university education, and women in public life during the Pahlavi era. The Woman, Life, Freedom movement continues that path.

On 17 Dey 2584 (7 January 2026), Prince Reza Pahlavi issued his first call for a nationwide rising. The next day, 18 Dey, roughly 1.5 million people filled the streets of Tehran alone and hundreds of cities rose with them. That evening the regime imposed a total nationwide internet and phone blackout and issued shoot-to-kill orders against demonstrators. The chant «Javid Shah» became the emblem of the day.

On 19 Dey 2584 (9 January 2026), the national rising reached its peak, spreading to nearly 400 cities across all 31 provinces of Iran; according to intelligence assessments relayed by a European diplomat, close to five million people took to the streets nationwide. It became the largest Iranian uprising since 1979. The regime's bloody crackdown took the lives of thousands of javidnaman; HRANA confirmed more than 7,000 killed, with estimates running into the tens of thousands.

Princess Farah Pahlavi was born on January 17, 2004 in Washington, DC. She is the youngest daughter of Prince Reza Pahlavi and Yasmine Pahlavi, named after her grandmother Shahbanou Farah.

Yalda is the longest night of the year when families gather to eat pomegranates and watermelons, and read Hafez poetry. It symbolizes the triumph of light over darkness and is one of the oldest Iranian celebrations.

Bahmanagan honors the Amesha Spenta of good thoughts. It reminds us of Zoroaster's three principles: Good Thoughts, Good Words, Good Deeds.

The White Revolution, also called the Shah and People Revolution, was announced on January 26, 1963 (6 Bahman 1341) by Mohammad Reza Shah Pahlavi. This program included 19 reform principles including: land reform, nationalization of forests, women's suffrage, profit-sharing for factory workers, and formation of the Health Corps and Literacy Corps. These reforms contributed significantly to Iran's modernization and development.

January 27, the anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz in 1945, is recognized as International Holocaust Remembrance Day. This day honors the memory of 6 million Jews murdered by the Nazi regime.

Sadeh is celebrated 50 days before Nowruz, commemorating the discovery of fire by the legendary king Hushang. Large bonfires are lit and people dance around them.

Esfandgan is the festival of women and earth. Men gave gifts to women who were exempt from daily work. This festival shows the respect ancient Iranians had for women.

Abol Korkor was a martyr of the Iranian people's uprising who gave his life for Iran's freedom.

Reza Shah the Great was born on March 15, 1878 in Alasht, Mazandaran. He founded the Pahlavi dynasty and built modern Iran. Through extensive reforms, Reza Shah transformed Iran from medieval times to modernity.

Chaharshanbe Suri is celebrated on the last Wednesday of the year. People jump over bonfires saying "My yellowness to you, your redness to me." It symbolizes removing negativity and welcoming goodness for the new year.