•-Kuwait was once known as a major trading post by the Sumerians on the Failaka Island (largest of Kuwaits nine Islands). The Island served this purpose for 2,000 years and was then abandoned in the 1rst century A.D.. (This was a big market as it was known by even the Greeks)
•-Kuwait’s true history began in the 18th century when the founding of its city Kuwait took place by the Uteiba, a split off group of the Anaiza tribe, whom were believed to have traveled from Qatar.
•-Kuwait has dealt with much turmoil throughout its history. In the 19th century Kuwait was faced with the threat of the Ottoman Empire, and other countries on the Arabian Peninsula (Middle East). Because of this impeding threat, Kuwait looked for protection from Great Britain, a treaty that Bahrain and United Arab Emirates had already entered. This treaty was formed by Kuwait’s leader at the time, Sheikh Mubarak Al Sabah “the Great” in the year 1899. The deal was that he nor his successors could not surrender to any territory, nor receive any other foreign governments without a signed agreement by the British Government. In return Kuwait would receive protection and an annual subsidy.
•-In 1922 Kuwait established borders with Saudi Arabia by means of the Treaty of Uqair, this also set up a neutral zone between the two countries. This and the discovery of oil were perhaps the 2 most well known facts about the at the time ruler of Kuwait Sheik Ahmed al-Jabir Al Sabah. In 1977 this neutral zone would split and mark a new international boundary. This separation left both countries happy with the rich abundance of oil which they shared along the coast, developing a free market economy.
•-In early 1961 Under Sheikh Abdullah al-Salim Al Sabah’s leadership, Kuwait gained its independence from Great Britain, and on June 19, 1961 Kuwait became fully independent.
•-In 1990 Kuwait was invaded by Iraq. Due to this threat, a UN-mandated coalition, which was led by the United States entered the war in February 1991, and was able to liberate Kuwait. Upon the end of the war, the UN formed the international boundary between Iraq and Kuwait, and in 1994 Iraq officially accepted the marked boundaries.
