Women in Iran are burning headscarves and cutting their hair in anti-hijab protests. They follow a long history of rising up for a woman's right to choose.

On January 8, 1936, Reza Shah Pahlavi issued a decree known as "Kashf-e hijab," or "unveiling," which eliminated veils from Iranian working society in a bid to modernize the country.

The Shah was inspired by the Westernization he saw during his visits to countries like Turkey. "I am extremely delighted that women have become aware of their rights and entitlement," he said in a speech after a 1936 visit to Turkey. "Now women are on their way to gain other rights in addition to the great privilege of motherhood."

Under...