1978 September - The Shah's policies caused the clergy and his authoritarian rule leads to riots, strikes and mass demonstrations. Martial law is imposed.
1979 January - As the political situation deteriorates, the Shah and his family are forced into exile.
1979 February - The Islamic fundamentalist, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, returns to Iran following 14 years of exile in Iraq and France for opposing the regime.
1979 November - Islamic militants take 52 Americans hostage inside the US embassy in Tehran. They demand the extradition of the Shah, in the US at the time for medical treatment, to face trial in Iran.
1980 January - Abolhasan Bani-Sadr is elected the first president of the Islamic Republic.
1979 January - As the political situation deteriorates, the Shah and his family are forced into exile.
1979 February - The Islamic fundamentalist, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, returns to Iran following 14 years of exile in Iraq and France for opposing the regime.
1979 November - Islamic militants take 52 Americans hostage inside the US embassy in Tehran. They demand the extradition of the Shah, in the US at the time for medical treatment, to face trial in Iran.
1980 January - Abolhasan Bani-Sadr is elected the first president of the Islamic Republic.