Key Events in Kuwait from 1900 to Present Day

  • Treaty with the United Kingdom

    Kuwait enters a treaty with the United Kingdom giving the British comprehensive control over the foreign policy of Kuwait in exchange for annual subsidy and proctection.
  • Anglo-Ottoman Convention of 1913

    The Emir of Kuwait (Mubarak Al-Sabah) was officially recongnized by both British and Ottoman rule as the ruler of the autonomous caza of the city of Kuwait and the hinterlands.
  • Teaty of Uqair

    The Protocol set up Kuwait's borders with Saudi Arabia and also established the Saudi-Kuwati neutral zone (an area ajoining Kuwait's southern border, 5,180 sq. km. in total).
  • British Kuwait Oil Company discovers oil fields

    Kuwait finds massive oil fields in their own country. While WWII delayed their exploitation, this event was key to the Kuwaiti economy today.
  • Kuwait public works program begins

    Kuwait funds a public works program, transforming the Kuwaiti infrastructre which lead to Kuwaiti citizens becoming modernized and living in a high standard of living.
  • Kuwaiti Independance

    Kuwait becomes fully independant following an exchange of notes between the United Kingdom and the Emir of Kuwait, Abdullah III Al-Salim Al-Sabah. The Kuwaiti dinar becomes the official currency.
  • Kuwait establishes a National Assembly

    Kuwait establishes their first ever National Assembly under the new constitution.
  • Emir Suspends National Assembly

    The long time leader of Kuwait, the Emir suspends the National Assembly claiming it is not acting on the country's interests.
  • Souk Al-Manakh Stock Market Crash

    In August of 1982, the Souk Al-Manakh stock market crash sent Kuwait into financial crisis. The crash did not last long as the oil market in Kuwait was needed to aid Iraq and Iran in the Iran-Iraq War
  • Kuwait bombings

    Six bombing occured in Kuwait City in 1983, killing five people. The attack was because of the Shiite Dawa Party to retaliate Kuwait's financial support to Iraq during the Iran-Iraq War.
  • Period: to

    National Assembly suspended again, Domestic Security Concerns

    The National Assembly, which was brought back in 1981 from the 1976 suspension, is suspended again in 1985.
    The country also faces domestic security issues from deportations of Iranians because of their influences over the Shi'ite minority.
  • Iraq Invades Kuwait

    Iraq invades Kuwait, starting the Persian Golf War. Yemen president, Ali Abdullah Saleh, backs up Hussain in his invasion. Sadam Hussain puts in Ali Hassan al-Majid as governer in the new pupper regime.
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    Gulf War

    Iraqi invasion of Kuwait, Gulf War, and U.S. help in the removal of Iraqi forces.
  • Coalition restores Kuwaiti Emir to power

    A coalition lead by the United States to free thrity-four nations from the Iraqi forces. The colation was successful, putting the Kuwaiti EMir back into power. Kuwait paid the U.S.$17 billion for their war efforts.
    In their retreat, Iraq employed a scorched-earth policy, damaging 737 oil wells in which approximately 600 were set on fire.
  • UN sets up Kuwait-Iraq Border

    UN sets up the new Kuwait-Iraq border, awarding a port and a number of oil wells to Kuwait. US troops despatched to Kuwait following Iraqi border incursions.
  • Iraqi puppet ruler given life sentence in prison.

    The Iraqi puppet ruler during Iraq's invasion and occupation of Kuwait is given a life sentence in jail instead of a death sentence.