The event marked the anniversary of his return to Iran and the 10 decisive days that led to the victory of the Islamic Revolution in 1979.
During his exile in Neauphle-le-Château, Imam Khomeini became a central figure for the Iranian Islamic Revolution.
Imam’s daily life in the town had life deep impact and the extraordinary influence had on students and young Muslims in France, including in working-class neighborhoods of Paris and its suburbs.
Only two weeks after the Shah fled Iran on January 16, 1979, Imam Khomeini returned to Iran triumphantly, on February 1, 1979, invited by the anti-Shah revolution which was already in progress.
Conservative estimates put the welcoming crowd of Iranians at least three million. When Imam Khomeini was on plane on his way to Iran after many years in exile, a reporter, Peter Jennings asked him: "What do you feel?" and surprisingly Imam Khomeini answered "Nothing!"
In a speech given to a huge crowd on the first day of returning to Iran, Imam Khomeini attacked the government of Shapoor Bakhtiar promising "I shall punch their teeth in." He also made a variety of promises to Iranians for his coming Islamic regime: A popularly elected government that would represent the people of Iran.