February 26After Iraqi President Saddam Hussein's troops invaded Kuwait on August 2, 1990, several countries in the United Nations formed a military coalition—including troops and equipment from the U.S., France, and Britain, and financial assistance from West Germany and Japan—to force them out. Five days later, the first U.S. forces arrived in Saudi Arabia. Operation Desert Storm began on January 17, 1991, and for five weeks, U.S. and British air forces relentlessly bombed Baghdad. This was followed by four days of a ground war which resulted in Hussein's troops leaving Kuwait.
February 26 is a national holiday in Kuwait celebrating the end of Iraq's military presence in Kuwait.
CONTACTS:
Kuwait Cultural Office
3500 International Dr. N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20008
202-364-2100; fax: 202-363-8394
www.kuwaitculture.com
SOURCES:
AnnivHol-2000, p. 32