On This Day

In Nasiriya, Iraq, at least 23 people, including the first Italian casualties of the 2003 Iraq War, are killed in a suic

In Nasiriya, Iraq, at least 23 people, including the first Italian casualties of the 2003 Iraq War, are killed in a suicide bomb attack on an Italian police base

The occupation of Iraq began on 20 March 2003, when the United States invaded with a military coalition to overthrow Iraqi president Saddam Hussein and his Arab Socialist Ba'ath Party, and continued until 18 December 2011, when the final batch of American troops left the country. While the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia were the largest contributors to the coalition, 29 other countries, such as Japan, were involved in the Iraq War in a lesser capacity. Additionally, several private military contractors took part in enforcing the occupation.

It was a period of violence and political turmoil, and saw strong foreign influence exerted on Iraqi politics.

Historical Significance

The occupation of Iraq began on 20 March 2003, when the United States invaded with a military coalition to overthrow Iraqi president Saddam Hussein and his Arab Socialist Ba'ath Party, and continued until 18 December 2011, when the final batch of American troops left the country.

Events Before

  1. Euro banknotes and coins become legal tender in twelve of the European Union's member states

    There are eight denominations of euro coins, ranging from one cent to two euro (the euro is divided into a hundred cents). The coins first came into use in 2002.

  2. 29th American Music Awards: Janet Jackson and Lenny Kravitz win. Michael Jackson receives Artist of the Century award.

    29th American Music Awards: Janet Jackson and Lenny Kravitz win. Michael Jackson receives Artist of the Century award.

  3. US President George W. Bush in his State of the Union address describes "regimes that sponsor terror" as an "Axis of Evi

    US President George W. Bush in his State of the Union address describes "regimes that sponsor terror" as an "Axis of Evil," which includes Iraq, Iran, and North Korea

  4. "Blue" country and pop singer LeAnn Rimes (19) weds backup dancer Dean Sheremet (21) at Perkins Chapel in Dallas, Texas

    "Blue" country and pop singer LeAnn Rimes (19) weds backup dancer Dean Sheremet (21) at Perkins Chapel in Dallas, Texas

  5. US invasion of Afghanistan: US conventional forces first deployed as part of Operation Anaconda

    Shortly after the September 11 attacks in 2001, the United States declared the war on terror and subsequently led a multinational military operation against Taliban-ruled Afghanistan.

Events After

  1. After hosting the show for over 30 years, Casey Kasem steps down as host of "American Top 40" and is succeeded by Ryan S

    After hosting the show for over 30 years, Casey Kasem steps down as host of "American Top 40" and is succeeded by Ryan Seacrest

  2. Britney Spears has her surprise marriage annulled less than 55 hours after tying the knot with childhood friend Jason Al

    Britney Spears has her surprise marriage annulled less than 55 hours after tying the knot with childhood friend Jason Alexander at the Little White Wedding Chapel in Las Vegas

  3. Mark Zuckerberg launches Facebook from his Harvard dormitory room

    Mark Zuckerberg launches Facebook from his Harvard dormitory room

  4. American singer-songwriter Solange Knowles (17) weds Texas Southern University football player Daniel Smith (19) at Old

    American singer-songwriter Solange Knowles (17) weds Texas Southern University football player Daniel Smith (19) at Old Bahama Bay Resort in Grand Bahama Island; divorce in 2007

  5. Luciano Pavarotti performs in his final opera, "Tosca," at New York's Metropolitan Opera

    Luciano Pavarotti (12 October 1935 – 6 September 2007) was an Italian operatic tenor who during the late part of his career crossed over into popular music, eventually becoming one of the most...

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Frequently Asked Questions

What happened on November 12, 2003?
The occupation of Iraq began on 20 March 2003, when the United States invaded with a military coalition to overthrow Iraqi president Saddam Hussein and his Arab Socialist Ba'ath Party, and continued until 18 December 2011, when the final batch of American troops left the country. While the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia were the largest contributors to the coalition, 29 other countries, such as Japan, were involved in the Iraq War in a lesser capacity. Additionally, several private military contractors took part in enforcing the occupation.
Why is In Nasiriya, Iraq, at least 23 people, including the first Italian casualties... significant?
The occupation of Iraq began on 20 March 2003, when the United States invaded with a military coalition to overthrow Iraqi president Saddam Hussein and his Arab Socialist Ba'ath Party, and continued until 18 December 2011, when the final batch of American troops left the country.

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