Posted October 3, 2016
Today is the anniversary of Iraq gaining independence from the United Kingdom, in 1932.
When I say “Iraq,” many of us think of the brutality of Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein, the invasion by the U.S. and its allies in 2003, and the continued violence and problems. Why is the Iraqi insurgency still going on and more dangerous than ever? We can point to a variety of causes, from the U.K. and U.S. interventions over the course of the last century to conflict between people practicing different forms of Islam, from activities by rebel groups like ISIS to a spillover from other wars such as the Syrian Civil War.
Iraq is, however, also called the cradle of civilization. Historians credit the civilizations that arose in the fertile area between the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers – then known as Mesopotamia – as the first peoples to read, write, and create laws and governments.
Here are some of the early civilizations that arose where Iraq is today:Akkadian, Sumerian, Assyrian, and Babylonian empires
Also, the area made up part of these civilizations:
Median, Achaemenid, Parthian, and Sassanid empires
Greek and Roman empires
Rashidun, Umayyad, Abbasid, Ayyubid, Mongol, Safavid, Afsharid, and Ottoman empires
Even though this is not a good time for people to travel to Iraq, let's look at some of the beautiful sights that can be seen in this country:
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| Ruins of Babylon |
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| Mosque in Baghdad, I think |
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| The Arc of Triumph |
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| Ishtar Gate to the ruins of Babylon |
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| Martyrs' Monument |
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| Rawanduz |
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| Minaret of Samarra |
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| Saddam Hussein's former palaces in Tikrit |
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| Monument to the Unknown Soldier |
Also on this date:
First Monday in October
First Monday in October
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