Timeline of Iraq war

  • Bush launches invasion of Iraq

  • In a "spider hole" near Tikrit, Saddam Hussein is captured by U.S. troops. He surrenders without a fight.

  • 1,000 U.S troops killed

  • Iraqi constitution ratified

  • Saddam Hussein's trial begins. He's accused of war crimes against humanity for the ordered killings of 143 Shiites in Dujail in 1982.

  • 2,000 U.S troops killed

  • First palialmentary election in Iraq

  • Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, the leader of Al Qaeda in Iraq, is killed during a U.S. air strike.

  • Saddam Hussein is executed by hanging after being found guilty of crimes against humanity.

  • President Bush addresses the nation, saying the situation in Iraq is unacceptable, and announces the "troop surge."

  • U.S troops include Sunnis in new strategy

  • 4,000 U.S troops killed

  • dedicated in Baghdad

  • U.S Troop withdraw from cities

  • End of war