1917
The Ottomans relinquish control of Baghdad to Britain.

Aug. 27, 1921

Faisal

The British install Faisal, son of Sherif Hussein who led Arab revolt against Turks, as king of Iraq.

Oct. 14, 1927
Discovery of the Kirkuk oilfield, one of the largest in the Middle East.

Oct. 3, 1932
Iraq gains its independence and is admitted to League of Nations.

King Ghazi, son of Faisal, ruled from 1933 to 1939, when he died in an auto accident.

Oct. 29, 1936
Gen. Bakr Sidqi overthrows the Iraqi government in the Arab world's first military coup.

April 28, 1937
Saddam Hussein os born in Tikrit to peasants. Orphaned at a young age, he is raised by his Sunni uncle.