Rallies marking National Day against arrogance kick off

3 November 2008

Tehran-Rallies marking this year's National Day Against Global Arrogance, an Iranian tradition since the victory of the 1979 Islamic Revolution, started here Monday from different parts of the capital.

People from all walks of life converged at the site of the former US embassy in Tehran, better known in Iranian history as the "Den of Spies."

Ralliers, including groups of school and university students, shouted slogans against the United States as they marched through Tehran's streets.

By chanting slogans such as "nuclear energy, is the legitimate right of the Iranian nation", the ralliers underscored the need for producing nuclear energy to generate electricity.

November 4 has great significance in Iranian history because of three decisive events: 1. Declaration of the day as the 'Students Day' in remembrance of several students martyred in 1978 while taking part in protest rally against the former Shah. (Considered a US collaborator.) 2. Sending to exile of the late Imam Khomeini in 1963. And 3. Take-over of the former US embassy in Tehran by university students followers of the Imam Khomeini in 1979.