Video: 'VHS 35 IRAQ March 19 2003' (Bush speaks at 44:20)

(Wednesday, March 19, 2003, 10:16 p.m. EST/Thursday, March 20, 2003, 6:16 a.m. Arabia Standard Time; during the 2003 invasion of Iraq, part of the Iraq War, the Iraq conflict and the War on terror) — Shortly after explosions erupted in Baghdad, U.S. President George W. Bush addressed the nation on television and radio tonight and announced that the 2003 invasion of Iraq had begun (at 9:34 p.m. EST; 5:34 a.m. Baghdad time on March 20, 2003) as part of the Bush administration’s war on terror following the September 11 attacks, despite no connection between Iraq and the attacks.

Bush addressed the nation from the Oval Office about 45 minutes after the first attacks were reported against an installation in Baghdad where American intelligence believed Hussein and his top leadership were meeting.

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“On my orders, coalition forces have begun striking selected targets of military importance to undermine Saddam Hussein’s ability to wage war,” the president said.

Speaking deliberately, with a picture of his twin daughters visible behind him, he added, “These are opening stages of what will be a broad and concerted campaign.”

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Bush sought to tamp down expectations of a quick victory with few casualties by warning that the battles in the days ahead “could be longer and more difficult than some predict.”

The president’s speech came about two hours after the expiration of his 48-hour deadline for Saddam Hussein to leave Iraq, an ultimatum dismissed with disdain by the Iraqi leader.

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The first signs of the attack in Baghdad were an air raid siren followed by antiaircraft fire and loud explosions over the city that appeared to be bombed. The antiaircraft fire appeared to be ineffective.

At least one impact was visible about a half mile from the Rashid Hotel in central Baghdad, throwing a great cloud of dust into the air.

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The initial round of explosions took place over a period of about 10 minutes and was followed by a lull. The first traffic of the day racing down the highway appeared to be drivers fleeing the attack.

The conflict continued for much of the next decade as an insurgency emerged to oppose the coalition forces and the post-invasion Iraqi government. U.S. troops were officially withdrawn in 2011.