"Desert Storm Jan. 16, 1991 Support and Pray for Our Troops" Button, 1991

Operation Desert Storm, the active combat phase of the 1990-91 Gulf War, began in January 1991. Iraq had sparked the conflict with an invasion of its oil-rich neighbor, Kuwait, in August 1990. The United States led a 42-country coalition, and, after an initial military buildup (Operation Desert Shield), quickly overran the Iraqi army, freeing Kuwait. A ceasefire began on February 28.