Black Wednesday of Khorramshahr · Chaharshanbe-ye Siah-e Khorramshahr

Culture of origin: Arab · Historical

Holiday sources: Iran · Iranian Arab

Weeks after the revolution, Arab groups in Khuzestan asked for autonomy, Arabic as an official language of the province, Arab officials and a share of its oil wealth; talks with the provisional government failed. On 30 May 1979 Revolutionary Guards and navy commandos, under Admiral Ahmad Madani as governor, put down Arab protesters and armed groups in Khorramshahr. Reported tolls run from 33 to 100 dead; a state of emergency followed.