Geneva Negotiations
Meets Tariq Aziz in an unsuccessful final diplomatic effort.
Permanent historical records · Updated 2026-11-03
1991 in United States of America
Explore 197 historical events and records for United States of America in 1991.
Historical records for United States of America in 1991
Sorted by month and day. Records with no month are shown last. Showing 40 of 197 unique records.
197Unique records
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January
Congressional Authorisation for Force
Bush receives congressional authority to use force to implement United Nations resolutions.
Declaration of War
Congress agrees the go-ahead for the war
Use of Force Authorization
Receives congressional authorization to use force against Iraq.
Coalition Readiness Assessment
Powell advises that coalition forces are prepared to execute the approved campaign plan.
Bombing of Iraq
The Gulf War began with an extensive aerial bombing campaign on 16 January 1991. For forty-two consecutive days and nights, the coalition forces subjected Iraq to the most intensive air bombardment in military history. The coalition flew over 100,000 sorties, dropping 88,500 tons of bombs, and widely destroying military and civilian infrastructure
Bombing of Iraq
The Gulf War began with an extensive aerial bombing campaign on 16 January 1991. For forty-two consecutive days and nights, the coalition forces subjected Iraq to the most intensive air bombardment in military history. The coalition flew over 100,000 sorties, dropping 88,500 tons of bombs, and widely destroying military and civilian infrastructure
Bombing of Iraq
The air campaign was commanded by USAF Lieutenant General Chuck Horner
Coalition Air War Announced
States that the campaign seeks complete Iraqi withdrawal.
Desert Storm Announcement
Announces that coalition military operations have begun.
Desert Storm Begins
Announces coalition combat operations against Iraq and occupied Kuwait.
Execution of Combat Orders
Cheney oversees Defense Department execution after the President orders offensive operations.
UN Resolution 678 Enforcement
Bush invokes United Nations and congressional authority when announcing military action.
Air Strikes on Baghdad
Bush authorises strikes against Iraqi command, communications and air-defence facilities around Baghdad.
Coalition Air Campaign
Directs coalition air operations during Desert Storm.
Coalition Air Offensive Directed
Air attacks isolate Iraqi forces occupying Kuwait.
Coalition Command Begins Offensive
Schwarzkopf exercises operational command as the coalition begins Desert Storm.
Desert Storm Air Campaign
Directs coalition air operations during Desert Storm.
First Air Tasking Order
Horner's combined air operations centre coordinates thousands of coalition missions during the opening phase.
First Combat Tomahawk Launches
Arthur's naval forces launch Tomahawk cruise missiles during the opening attacks.
First Defense Department Briefing
Cheney briefs the public on the opening coalition attacks and operational objectives.
First-Night Strategic Strikes
Horner coordinates attacks on Iraqi leadership, communications, airfields and integrated air defences.
Joint Air Component Command
Horner commands the integrated coalition air effort from the Saudi operations centre.
Maritime Interception Operations
Fogarty directs multinational enforcement of United Nations sanctions against Iraqi shipping.
Naval Component Operations
Arthur commands carrier, surface, amphibious and mine-warfare forces supporting Desert Storm.
Opening Air Campaign
Horner directs coalition aircraft against Iraqi air defences, command centres and strategic targets.
Operation Desert Storm Command
Directs the coalition campaign after Desert Storm begins.
Persian Gulf Naval Campaign
Directs US naval forces supporting the coalition campaign.
Six-Carrier Naval Air Campaign
Arthur employs six aircraft carriers supporting strikes from the Gulf and Red Sea.
Request for Israeli Restraint
Bush urges Israel not to retaliate and risk fracturing the Arab coalition.
Offshore Positions Attacked
Coalition forces capture prisoners from occupied oil platforms.
A Scud missile hit the Israeli city of Ramat Gan
A Scud missile hit the Israeli city of Ramat Gan, after two coalition Patriots failed to intercept it. Three elderly people suffered fatal heart attacks, another 96 people were injured, and 20 apartment buildings were damaged.
After this attack, the Israelis warned that if the US failed to
After this attack, the Israelis warned that if the US failed to stop the attacks, they would.
At one point Israeli commandos boarded helicopters prepared to fly into Iraq
At one point Israeli commandos boarded helicopters prepared to fly into Iraq but the mission was called off after a phone call from US Defence Secretary Dick Cheney
Report on the extent of coalition efforts to destroy Scuds
reporting on the extent of coalition efforts to destroy Scuds and emphasizing that Israeli intervention could endanger US forces
Scud Missile Attacks
A Scud missile hit the Israeli city of Ramat Gan, after two coalition Patriots failed to intercept it. Three elderly people suffered fatal heart attacks, another 96 people were injured, and 20 apartment buildings were damaged.
Scud Missile Attacks
After this attack, the Israelis warned that if the US failed to stop the attacks, they would.
Scud Missile Attacks
At one point Israeli commandos boarded helicopters prepared to fly into Iraq but the mission was called off after a phone call from US Defence Secretary Dick Cheney
Scud Missile Attacks
reporting on the extent of coalition efforts to destroy Scuds and emphasizing that Israeli intervention could endanger US forces
Battle of Bubiyan
Coalition naval aircraft destroy or disable much of Iraq's fleet fleeing toward Iran.
How these records were prepared
Generated from the World History Database historical_events table. Identical display records are collapsed; descriptions otherwise retain the stored text. Coverage and source quality vary. Check primary and specialist sources before citing individual historical claims.