• 1937: Large oil reserves discovered by the US–British Kuwait Oil Company. Exploitation is delayed by World War II, but thereafter fuels the country’s development into a modern commercial center. • 1951: Major public works program begins. Infrastructure is transformed; standard of living greatly improves. • 1961: Kuwait becomes independent with the end of the British protectorate and joins the Arab League. Iraq renews claims that Kuwait is part of its territory but backs down after British military intervention. • 1980–1988: Iran–Iraq War; Kuwait supports Iraq strategically and financially. • 1990: Iraq invades and annexes Kuwait. • 1991: Iraq fails to comply with a UN resolution ordering it to pull out of Kuwait, leading to a US-led and UN-backed aerial campaign in Kuwait and Iraq. By late February, allied forces reach Kuwait City. Iraqi forces torch oil wells as they pull out. • 2003: US-led forces cross the border from Kuwait to Iraq to disarm and oust Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein. • 2005: Parliament approves a law allowing women to vote and run for parliament. In June, the first female cabinet minister, Massouma Al-Mubarak, is appointed • 2009: Three women MPs win seats in parliamentary elections and the constitutional court rules women can obtain passports without the consent of their husbands. In another ruling, it decides that female MPs are not required to wear an Islamic head covering. • 2012: Islamists win the parliamentary elections. The Emir dissolves parliament after the Islamist government proposes that all legislation complies with Islamic law. December elections are boycotted by the opposition in protest against electoral law changes. • July 2013: New elections are held in Kuwait to replace the dissolved parliament. Shi’ites lose more than half their seats as liberal and tribal candidates secure a large victory.