The Shah of Iran Proposed a Universal Welfare Legion

Unruffled by protesters, Mohammed Reza Pahlavi suggested a way to remove the "roots of the curses that afflict humanity" in his 1968 speech.

Mohammed Reza Pahlavi

The shah of Iran addressed alumni and new graduates on Commencement afternoon in 1968, proposing an “international counterpart of the Peace Corps” in the name of entering “a holy struggle for rendering real service to humanity.” As he began his speech, a group of student protesters marched down a center aisle carrying banners emblazoned “No degree for a dictator.” Routed by ushers, they continued their demonstration, alongside Iranian students, outside the Yard.

Read excerpts from his speech in this PDF from the July 1, 1968 issue of the Harvard Alumni Bulletin.

You might also like

Historic Humor

University Archives to preserve Harvard Lampoon materials

Academia’s Absence from Homelessness

“The lack of dedicated research funding in this area is a major, major problem.”

The Enterprise Research Campus, Part Two

Tishman Speyer signals readiness to pursue approval for second phase of commercial development.  

Most popular

Poise, in Spite of Everything

Nina Skov Jensen ’25, portraitist for collectors and the princess of Denmark. 

Renovating Gund

Renovations on Gund Hall of Harvard Graduate School of Design (GSD) to be completed by next year. 

Claudine Gay in First Post-Presidency Appearance

At Morning Prayers, speaks of resilience and the unknown

More to explore

Exploring Political Tribalism and American Politics

Mina Cikara explores how political tribalism feeds the American bipartisan divide.

Private Equity in Medicine and the Quality of Care

Hundreds of U.S. hospitals are owned by private equity firms—does monetizing medicine affect the quality of care?

Construction on Commercial Enterprise Research Campus in Allston

Construction on Harvard’s commercial enterprise research campus and new theater in Allston