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In 1971, the Shah of Iran threw a huge three-day party to celebrate 2,500 years of the Persian Empire.

More than 60 world leaders and heads of state were invited to a lavish tent city in the middle of the desert. Guests included members of the British royal family and former Ethiopian emperor Haile Selassie.

Food was provided by the world-famous French restaurant Maxim's and the party included a massive military parade.

But the event united opposition parties against the Shah and lost him public credibility.

Sally Quinn remembers what it was like to be there as a reporter for The Washington Post.

(Picture: Soldiers in costume during a military parade, Credit: Nik Wheeler, Getty Images)