-
Born
Saddam Hussein was born in a village, Al-Awja, near Tikrīt, Iraq. Saddam's father disappeared a few months before he was born. Deeply saddened by her husband's disappearance, Saddam's mother sent Saddam to live with his uncle in Baghdad shortly after Saddam's birth. -
Early Years in the Ba'ath Party
Saddam Hussein joined the Ba'ath Party somewhere between 1956 and 1957. The Ba'ath Party believed in the idea of uniting multiple nations into one single Arab nation. Saddam later became the leader of the Ba'ath Party. -
Tries to Assassinate Iraqi Prime Minister
Saddam Hussein and the Ba'th Party try to assassinate Abd al-Karīm Qāsim (pictured). Saddam Hussein was wounded in the attempt, however, he was one of the few that escaped the event. First Saddam tried to flee to Syria and then to Egypt. In Egypt he studied at the Cairo Law School. -
Becomes President of Iraq
Ahmed Hassan al-Bakr is unable to perform most of his duties and Saddam Hussein, his Vice President at the time, steps up to the job. Ahmed-Hassan al-Bakr was allegedly forced to resign from his position as the president of Iraq by Saddam Hussein. Saddam Hussein assumes his position and becomes the President of Iraq. (pictured is Saddam Hussein as President of Iraq -
Invasion of Iraq
Saddam Hussein leads a campaign to invade Iran's oil fields. The hostile invasion campaign led to the start of the Iran-Iraq war. (pictured is image from Iran-Iraq war) -
Invasion of Kuwait
Saddam Hussein launches the Invasion of Kuwait. Saddam looks to capture Kuwait's oil reserves and use them to strengthen Iraq's economy. A trade embargo is made against Iraq following the invasion. Saddam Hussein refuses to withdraw his forces from Kuwait despite the requests from other countries asking him to leave. -
Period: to
Operation Desert Fox
Saddam Hussein grows increasingly more dangerous to the world as he refuses to comply with UN's rules on weaponry. The United States of America launches Operation Desert Fox on Iraq. Operation Desert Fox's mission was to destroy military and security targets in Iraq, specifically ones that contributed to produce and store weapons of mass destruction. Operation Desert Fox began on December 16, 1998, and the strikes ended on December 19th, 1998. -
Period: to
UN Weapon Inspection
UN weapon inspectors visit Saddam Hussein and search for any UN policy breaking activities in Iraq. While he allowed them to visit, Saddam Hussein failed to comply with the UN weapon inspectors. The United States and Great Britain, angry at Saddam Hussein, announced an end to diplomacy with Iraq. -
George W. Bush vs Saddam Hussein
George W. Bush warned Saddam Hussein that the American military would attack Iraq if Hussein and his brother did not leave their country. George W. Bush gave Saddam Hussein 48 hours and threatened to start a war if Hussein did not comply. Saddam Hussein ignored the warning given by George W. Bush. -
Period: to
Search and Capture
On April 9th, 2003, U.S. forces enter Baghdad. A statue of Saddam Hussein is destroyed by U.S. forces. U.S. forces capture Saddam Hussein on December 13th, 2003 in the town of Adwar. -
First Trial
Saddam Hussein fired his 1500 man defense team 2 months prior to his trial. Accused of murder and torture, he pleads innocent to his charges. He claims that while he was in U.S. custody he was tortured and also questions the court system. (pictured is Saddam Hussein in court) -
Sentenced to Death
Based on evidence provided in Saddam's first trial, Saddam Hussein is found guilty and sentenced to death. Saddam Hussein is specifically found guilty of war crimes and crimes against humanity. He is later sentenced to death by hanging. -
Execution
Saddam Hussein is hanged at an Iraqi base known as Camp Justice, located in Baghdad. Saddam later is buried in Al-Awja, his hometown. His tomb was recently destroyed by terrorists. -
