Anonymous (Iranian) Pulitzer Prize Winner Revealed

This chilling photograph, taken in Iran in 1979, won the Pulitzer Prize that year.  This was the first and only time a Pulitzer Prize was given to an anonymous recipient: the photographer remained anonymous for 27-years, until now.

The photo was taken by Jahangir Razmi, a staff photographer for Ettela'at, one of the leading Iranian newspaper at the time.  The photo spread through the world's media like wildfire.   

Mr. Ramzi in a recent interview with The Wall Street Journal revealed that he had taken 26- frames during this mass execution of the Kurds.  Mr. Heydari, Ettela'at's photo editor, chose to run the one above - a moment when some of the squadrons had fired and some hadn't.
 

Twenty-seven years later, the photo is still overwhelming.  Still difficult to look at.  As are the other frames taken on that day, which can now be seen, for the first time ever, at The Wall Street Journal.  It's a long article, but worth the read as it takes you through the events on August 11, 1979, how Mr. Ramzi got the film to his editors, how he kept his secret for 27-years.

Be sure to watch the Slide Show at The Wall Street's site by clicking on the execution photo. Caution: It is very graphic!