On this date in: 1979

<a class="taxInlineTagLink" id="PEHST000983" title="Saddam Hussein" href="/topic/arts-culture/saddam-hussein-PEHST000983.topic">Saddam Hussein</a> became president of Iraq. In January of that year, he visited Cuba and met with <a class="taxInlineTagLink" id="PECLB000910" title="Fidel Castro" href="/topic/politics/fidel-castro-PECLB000910.topic">Fidel Castro</a> (left) and <a class="taxInlineTagLink" id="PEPLT007578" title="Raul Castro" href="/topic/politics/raul-castro-PEPLT007578.topic">Raul Castro</a> (right).

( Getty photo / July 16, 2009 )

Saddam Hussein became president of Iraq. In January of that year, he visited Cuba and met with Fidel Castro (left) and Raul Castro (right).

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