National and Liberation Days

HISTORY OF NATIONAL DAY KUWAIT

In the early 17th century, Kuwait was established as a small fishing village with a tiny population. By the end of the 18th century, Kuwait began to flourish, and it became a major trading and boat building site. In 1756, the Al-Sabah family assumed power to rule Kuwait. Kuwait became independent in 1961 and Sheikh Abdullah Al-Salim Al-Sabah from the Al-Sabah family became emperor — this event is celebrated as National Day in Kuwait. The British protected the country against the invasion by the Turks in the same year.

The Emir of Kuwait is working very hard to make the country a major economic port and a thriving democracy. He has approved the development plans that will be built to promote Kuwait as a global financial and commercial center. These projects are supposed to bring investment and income resources for the citizens. Along with this, the Emir is working tirelessly to build the nation’s unity and solidarity among the people. Thus far, Kuwait has emerged as a fair, just, and tolerant nation. From the day of its independence, Kuwait has made great progress and achieved prosperity.

Normally, most countries celebrate their national day on the same date they gained independence. For Kuwait, it would mean that National Day is celebrated on June 19, marking the date of independence in 1961. However, the first National Day holiday actually took place on this date in 1962. The holiday was moved to February due to the extreme heat in June, and since 1963, the National Day has been celebrated on February 25 to mark the date that sheikh Abdullah Al-Salem Al-Sabah came to power in 1950.

HISTORY OF KUWAIT LIBERATION DAY

Kuwait was initially stabilized as a small fishing village during the 1600s. By the year 1899, the present country became a British Protectorate. In 1961, Kuwait gained independence with the end of the British protectorate, and Sheik Abdullah Al-Salim Al-Sabah assumed the role of the Emir. But before its independence, on the second day of August in 1990, ensuing a feud over revenue from an oil field, Iraqi troops raided Kuwait and Iraq began to bomb Kuwait City. Six days later, on August 8, the Kuwaiti government was replaced by an Iraqi governor.

There was global rage as the invasion was widespread. Bringing in no progress by diplomatic means, the United Nations Security Council gave Iraq a deadline of January 15, 1991, to vacate from Kuwait. But as the story goes, they were stubborn enough to stay put until the deadline passed. So the U.S. directed coalition forces to begin their attack on the Iraqi forces known as Operation Desert Storm, from January 17, 1991. The Iraqi forces demonstrated their incompetence to combat the coalition forces as the ground war only lasted four days before the Iraqi tanks ran away from Kuwait on February 26, 1991.

Today Kuwait is wealthy, safe, and almost entirely crime-free. The Institute for Economics & Peace Global Peace Index, 2021, sets Kuwait 36 out of 163 countries worldwide, placing the country as being at a high state of peace. It is a safe place to travel to, as crime rates are low, and the chances of foreigners being harmed or attacked in any way are slim. However, due to past events, some people still doubt its safety, which leaves Kuwait with a reputation of being unsafe. But Kuwait is known as a wonderful entry point to the Muslim world and warm Arabian hospitality.