Black Friday (1978) · Hefdah-e Shahrivar

Culture of origin: Iranian · Historical

Holiday sources: Iran

The day after the government declared martial law, thousands gathered to protest in Jaleh Square, Tehran, many unaware of the new order. The Imperial Army told them to leave and then opened fire, killing at least 64 and injuring 205; 24 more died in clashes with martial-law forces elsewhere in the city that day. Remembered as Black Friday, it ended hope of compromise between the protest movement and the Shah, whose monarchy fell less than five months later.