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September 11, 2026Short & citedBlog
Civic Viewpoint.
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Kept by Bryan McAllister — short guides, clear facts, and the Canadian angle when it matters.
Civic Brief • Leaders

Saddam Hussein

Saddam Hussein was an Iraqi politician who served as president of Iraq from 1979 to 2003.

Updated September 11, 20261 min readCited sources

Saddam Hussein was the president of Iraq from 1979 to 2003. He led the country through major wars and was removed in the 2003 U.S.-led invasion.

What it was: Saddam Hussein's rise to power

Saddam Hussein was born in 1937 near Tikrit and joined the Ba'ath Party in 1957. He became a key figure after the 1968 Ba'athist takeover, serving as vice president before taking full control as president in 1979.

Why it matters: his rule and conflicts

Hussein's regime was a brutal dictatorship that repressed political opponents and minorities, especially Kurds and Shiites. He led Iraq through the Iran-Iraq War (1980–1988) and invaded Kuwait in 1990, triggering the Gulf War and years of international sanctions.

Key details: fall from power and trial

Hussein was ousted in 2003 after the U.S.-led invasion. Captured later that year, he was tried by the Iraqi High Tribunal, convicted of crimes against humanity, and executed by hanging in Baghdad on 30 December 2006.

In short

  • Joined the Ba'ath Party in 1957 and rose to power after the 1968 revolution.
  • Ruled Iraq as an authoritarian leader for nearly 25 years.
  • Led the Iran-Iraq War and invaded Kuwait.
  • Removed in 2003 and executed in 2006.
Canadian angle

Canadian readers may encounter Saddam Hussein in histories of the 1990–1991 Gulf War, the 2003 Iraq War, and broader discussions of international law, sanctions, and Middle East politics.

Quick questions

Who was Saddam Hussein?
He was the president of Iraq from 1979 to 2003.
Why is Saddam Hussein historically significant?
He led Iraq through major wars, brutal authoritarian rule, and the 2003 invasion that ended his regime.
How did Saddam Hussein die?
He was executed by hanging in Baghdad on 30 December 2006 after an Iraqi court sentence.

Sources

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saddam_Hussein
    Supports: Birth date, offices held, term in office, and basic career timeline.
  2. Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/summary/Saddam-Hussein
    Supports: Overview of presidency, Ba'ath Party membership, wars, sanctions, removal from power, conviction, and execution.
  3. Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/biography/Saddam-Hussein
    Supports: Biographical details, political rise, wars, and legacy.
  4. EBSCO Research Starters — https://www.ebsco.com/research-starters/biography/saddam-hussein
    Supports: Presidency, repression, Iran-Iraq War, Kuwait invasion, removal from power, trial, and execution.
  5. History — https://www.history.co.uk/biographies/saddam-hussein
    Supports: Presidency, conviction, and execution.