College students’ day

(16 Azar 1332 /7 December 1953)

Since the modern university inIran had existed less than 80 years, College students’ political activities don’t last long. At the very beginning the universities was specified to members of government. But in 1340s and 1350s (1960s and 1970s), students from other social classes could enter university. This paved the way to new movements called “students movements”.

One of the most important political movements beforeIran’s revolution was the Tehran University students’ demonstration to American vice-president’s travel to Iran on 16 Azar 1332. These movements later reached to their zenith in 13 Aban 1358 (4 November 1979), when the Imam Khomeini's disciple students occupied America’s Embassy. The occupation was confirmed by Ayatollah Khomeini as it indicated to predominance of Islamic thoughts as well as rejection of liberal and Marxist thought.

The events on 16 Azar 1332

After the 28th Mordad coup (19 August 1953), Eisenhower, the then president of America, in a speech in national congress declared about 28th Mordad coup: “The freedom fighters have gained a hopeful political victory.” In their point of view, suppressing a nation means “political victory” and dictator forces are liberty forces. In 1332, Nixon, the vice-president ofAmerica came to Iran. In fact he aimed to watch the result of their constipation. CIA had spent 21 million dollars for coup and dismissal of Mosadeq’s government.

TheIran nation was annoyed and angry by the division that American had cause among them.

The leader of Moqavemat movement, tried to spreadIran’s objection to the world and neutralizeLondon and Washington attempts who wanted to legislate the after-coup regime and gain some favors. This was a duty for the university coordinating committee.

TheTehran university students’ protestation to new English minister arrival, Denis Wright, started on 14 Azar 1332. The students of law and political science, dental, technical, medical and pharmacy faculties inTehranUniversity had a great demonstration against the new regime. Knowing people’s anger and especially students’ against themselves andAmerica, the government, put university under observation.

On 15 Azar, the demonstrations continued out of the university. Police attacked the students, injured some of them and arrested some other.

In 16 Azar, the armed to teeth guardians were positioned in the university for the first time. In a class in technical faculty, in objection to guardians’ presence, some of the students mocked them. It was a good excuse for them to force into the class and create a fearful atmosphere. The guardians attacked the defenseless students and killed three of them: Mustafa Bozorg Nia, Mahdi Shari’at Razavi, and Ahmad Qandchi.