Saddam Hussein

Birth of Saddam

Apr 28, 1937

Saddam Hussein was born to a peasant family, north of Bagdad. His father was named Hussein Abid al-Majid and his mother was named Subna Tulfa al-Musallat. He was raised by his mother, his mother's second husband, and her mother's brother.

Joining the Ba'ath Party

Aug 12, 1957

Suddam Hussein joins the Ba'ath socialist party. The goal of this party is to unite the Arab states in the Middle East. "Unity, Liberty, Socialism" was the party's slogan.

Ambushing Kassem

Oct 7, 1959

Hussein along with others attempt to assassinate Abdul Karim Kassem. The attempt fails and most of the attackers are killed. Saddam escapes and flees to Syria. The Egyptian president Gamal Abdel Nasser arranges for him to travel to Cairo after he hears word of Saddam's deeds.

Ba'ath Party Coup

Feb 8, 1963

Saddam returns to Iraq after Kassem is overthrown and executed and the Ba'ath party takes over. The Ba'ath party has a short run of power. They are eventually overthrown after a short run of power.

Taking power as president

Jul 16, 1979

Former President Ahmed Hassan al-Bakr retires. Saddam becomes the fifth president of Iraq. He purges the Ba'ath party and eliminates his rivals.

War with Iran

Sep 22, 1980

Saddam Hussein launches a war on Iran after tensions rise between Iraq and Iran. The war lasts eight years and kills hundreds of thousands on each side. The war was motivated by fears that the Iranian revolution in 1789 would inspire insurgency among the suppressed Shia majority, as well as Iraq's desire to become the dominant Persian-Gulf state.

Invading Kuwait

Aug 2, 1990

Saddam demands that Kuwait forgive the debts put on Iraq during the Iran war. He then invades the oil rich Kuwait. This prompts the United Nation's security council to impose sanctions on Iran.

Operation Desert Storm

Jan 17, 1991

The U.S. as well as coalition forces and allies launch Desert Storm to free Kuwait from Iraq. This operation proves to be successful, however, Saddam is still in power in Iraq. This causes fear throughout the United States.

Operation Desert Storm

Period: Jan 17, 1991 to Feb 28, 1991

U.S. troops, along with allied militaries start to attack Iraq and Iraqi troops under the name Operation Desert Storm. The objective of this operation was to free Kuwait. The operation proves to be successful but Saddam still remains in power.

Captured in a Spider Hole

Dec 13, 2003

Saddam Hussein is captured in a hidden cellar near Tikrit. This is part of of Operation Red Dawn. The spider hole that Saddam was found in was specially prepared.

Pleading innocent

Jul 1, 2004

Saddam makes his first appearance in court and is charges with a variety of crimes. This includes the invasion of Kuwait, executing people, and gassing the kurds. He does plead innocent to these crimes.

Bush is the Real Crimminal?

Oct 9, 2005

Saddam Hussein's trial begins in Baghdad and he pleads innocent to the charges of murder and torture. He questions the legitimacy of the court. He also claims that George Bush is the real crimminal.

Convicted

Nov 5, 2006

Saddam is convicted and sentenced to death by hanging. He is found guilty of crimes against humanity. This includes murder and torture. However, per Iraqi law there is an automatic appeal to every death to every death sentence.

Death of Saddam Hussein

Dec 30, 2006

Saddam Hussein is hanged in Baghdad for his crimes against humanity. He was hanged a few minutes after 6:00 A.M. Saddam was buried a couple miles outside of Tikrit, Iraq.