Many Americans remember the Iranian Revolution in 1979 for the storming of the US embassy and the hostage crisis that followed. That, however, was not the first time the embassy in Tehran was breached by protesters. The first time was on Valentine’s Day in 1979.
The current government of Iran was born out of the violence and confusion that was playing out 40 years ago. Loyalists from the old regime of the Shah were refusing to go down without a fight. Marxist revolutionaries competed with the Islamists for leverage.
The staff at the US embassy watched nervously as the chaos swirled through Tehran.
Then, one day, it happened. Iranian revolutionaries scrambled over the wall of the embassy compound.
Ken Kraus was a sergeant in the Marine detachment protecting the embassy. He speaks to The World’s Marco Werman about what he witnessed that day.
Listen to Ken Kraus’ full interview with The World above.
At The World, we believe strongly that human-centered journalism is at the heart of an informed public and a strong democracy. We see democracy and journalism as two sides of the same coin. If you care about one, it is imperative to care about the other.
Every day, our nonprofit newsroom seeks to inform and empower listeners and hold the powerful accountable. Neither would be possible without the support of listeners like you. If you believe in our work, will you give today? We need your help now more than ever!