TEHRAN – Iran on Sunday marked the 39th anniversary of a historic referendum in which voters overwhelmingly endorsed the establishment of the Islamic Republic after the fall of the U.S.-backed Pahlavi regime.

The referendum was held on March 30-31, 1979, less than two months after the fall of Shah. Over 98.2 percent of Iranians voted “yes” to the establishment of the Islamic Republic.

Iranians annually celebrate Farvardin 12 on the Persian calendar, which falls on April 1 in normal years and March 31 in leap years, as the anniversary of the establishment of the Islamic Republic of Iran.

MH/PA