1932: Iraq became an independent kingdom; it was part of the Ottoman Empire until World War I, when it was occupied by Britain and then declared a League of Nations mandate under UK administration.

1958: Iraq became a republic, although ruled by a series of military strongmen until 2003 and the fall of Saddam Hussein.

1980-1988: Iraq was at war with Iran over border

1990: Seized neighboring Kuwait

1991: Expelled from Kuwait by U.N. Forces

2003: Invaded by U.S and U.N. forces

2006: Election of first constitutional government since 1932

Source: www.cia.gov/library/publications