On this day in ...… 1981, an Islamic socialist organization known as the People's Mujahedin of Iran (flag at right) demonstrated against the regime then in power. Following the Iranian revolution and a falling out with Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, hundreds of the organization's supporters and were killed, and some 3,000 were arrested.
… 1933, at age 75, feminist and German communist Clara Zetkin (below left) died in exile in the Soviet Union at Archangelskoye, near Moscow. Zetkin had fought for the economic and political independence of women workers and women in general. International Women’s Day, first celebrated in 1911, was staged thanks to her suggestion. In 1920, Zetkin was elected to the Reichstag as a member of the German Communist Party. Entitled to open the parliament's 1st session in 1932, Zetkin warned of the dangers of national socialism and demanded the coalition of all democratic forces. When Adolf Hitler and his Nazi Party took over power, Zetkin's party was banned
from the Reichstag, and she went into exile to the Soviet Union. She remained politically active until her death. (photo credit for the image of Zetkin on former East German currency)(Prior June 20 posts are here and here.)
