History of Nowruz in Timeline

Nowruz, the Persian New Year, is celebrated on the spring equinox (typically March 19-22) by various ethnicities globally. Originating with Iranian peoples, it marks the start of a new year based on the Iranian calendars, particularly the Solar Hijri calendar. This festival signifies renewal and the beginning of spring.

1979: Attempts to suppress Nowruz after the Islamic Revolution

Following the 1979 Revolution, some radical elements from the Islamic government attempted to suppress Nowruz, considering it a pagan holiday and a distraction from Islamic holidays.

1992: Newroz celebrated legally in Turkey after ban lifted

Newroz has only been celebrated legally in Turkey since 1992 after the ban on the Kurdish language was lifted.

1995: Holiday renamed Nevroz in Turkey

In 1995, the Turkish government renamed the holiday Nevroz.

1996: Taliban regime banned Nauruz

During the Taliban regime, in 1996 Nauruz was banned as "an ancient pagan holiday centered on fire worship".

2001: Taliban regime banned Nauruz

During the Taliban regime, in 2001 Nauruz was banned as "an ancient pagan holiday centered on fire worship".

2004: Syrian government tolerates Newroz celebrations with conditions

In 2004, the Syrian Arab Ba'athist government stated that the Newroz celebrations will be tolerated as long as they do not become political demonstrations.

March 2006: 25,000 people celebrated Newroz in London

In London, organizers estimated that 25,000 people celebrated Newroz during March 2006.

2008: Kurds shot dead during Newroz celebrations in Syria

During the Newroz celebrations in 2008, three Kurds were shot dead by Syrian security forces.

February 2010: UN recognizes "International Day of Nowruz"

In February 2010, the United Nations officially recognized the "International Day of Nowruz" with the adoption of Resolution 64/253 by the United Nations General Assembly.

March 2010: Deaths during Newroz celebration in Syria

In March 2010, during the Newroz celebrations in Syria, an attack by Syrian police killed two or three people, one of them a 15-year-old girl, and more than 50 people were wounded.

March 2010: US House of Representatives passes Nowruz Resolution

On 15 March 2010, the United States House of Representatives passed the Nowruz Resolution (H.Res. 267), by a 384–2 vote, "Recognizing the cultural and historical significance of Nowruz".

2010: Nowruz added to UNESCO list

In 2010, Nowruz was added to the UNESCO List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

2010: Influx of Iranian tourists in Armenia during Nowruz

Since around 2010-11, there has been an accelerated influx of tourists from Iran to Armenia. In 2010 alone, around 27,600 Iranians spent Nowruz in the capital Yerevan.

2012: Expansion of Kurdish civil rights

The Rojava revolution of 2012 and the subsequent establishment of the de facto Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria saw Kurdish civil rights greatly expand.

2015: Armenian President Congratulates Kurds and Iranian Leadership on Nowruz

In 2015, President Serzh Sargsyan sent a letter of congratulations to Kurds living in Armenia and to the Iranian political leadership on the occasion of Nowruz.

2018: Newroz ritual no longer allowed in Efrin

Since the 2018 occupation by Turkish-backed rebel groups, the Newroz ritual is no longer allowed in Efrin.

March 2022: Taliban allows Nowruz celebrations, but no holiday

In March 2022, the Taliban said that Nauruz would not be a public holiday that year, although allowed celebrations to take place.

March 2024: California Declares Nowruz Day

On 19 March 2024, Governor Gavin Newsom issued a proclamation declaring 19 March as Nowruz day in California.

2025: Skyrocketing inflation and food prices in Iran

As of 2025 the inflation in Iran is skyrocketing and specifically, the food prices are surging.

2025: Economic Crisis and Arrests during Nowruz

In 2025 during the Iranian economic crisis, many people were unable to afford basic Haft-Sin. In the same year, the Iranian regime arrested 50 people for anti-government chants at Nowruz celebrations.

2025: High Cost of Nowruz Preparations in Iran

In 2025, the overall cost of preparing a Haft-Seen table is estimated to exceed half a million tomans. Adding a fish and vegetable pilaf to the New Year's Eve meal pushes the total cost for a typical household to approximately 1,600,000 tomans.