On March 21, 1935, during the Persian New Year (Nowruz) celebrations, Reza Shah Pahlavi, the then-ruler of Iran, officially requested that the international community refer to the country as "Iran" instead of "Persia." This change was intended to emphasize the country's Aryan heritage and promote a sense of nationalism.
The name "Persia" had been used historically to refer to the region, and it was a term that many Western countries were familiar with. However, Reza Shah believed that "Iran" more accurately reflected the country's ancient heritage and its connection to the Aryan people. The word "Iran" is derived from the Avestan word "Aryānām," meaning "Land of the Aryans."
The request for the change in name was not just a linguistic preference but also had political and nationalistic undertones. It aimed to modernize and nationalize the country's identity while distancing it from the historical associations of "Persia." Over time, the use of "Iran" became the standard internationally, and it continues to be the official name of the country to this day.
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