Overview
March 20, 2013, marked the 10th anniversary of the U.S. invasion of Iraq, but was also the bloodiest day of the year as insurgents staged multiple attacks, assassinating a high-level minister and killing dozens more.
Although President George W. Bush declared the end of major combat operations in Iraq in May 2003, U.S. military troops were there until December 2011.
Nearly 4,500 Americans were killed alongside more than 100,000 Iraqis.
Before the final combat troop withdrawal on August 19, 2010, officially ending Operation Iraqi Freedom almost seven and a half years after it had begun, the United States and Iraq saw highs and lows in a conflict that continues to be the subject of debate to this day.
Objectives
Students Will:
- Get an overview of the Iraq War through a montage from the PBS NewsHour
- Discuss views and knowledge of the Iraq War
Subjects
Social studies, history, world history
Estimated time
Two-three 45 minute periods
Grade level
10-12
Procedure
Pose the following questions to students:
- Write down 5 things you know about the Iraq War
- How did it begin?
- What reasons were given for invading Iraq?
Have students watch the following video from PBS NewsHour and lead a discussion.
- What did you learn about the invasion of Iraq that you did not know before?
- Do you think invading Iraq was the right decision? Why or why not? Cite 3 supporting details from the video.
- How has world has changed since the invasion of Iraq?
By: Imani M. Cheers, Ph.D.
This lesson was published on April 11, 2013, and updated on June 24, 2026.
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