Published January 14, 2015
Key dates in Afghanistan's transition to democracy:
— Oct. 7, 2001: U.S. and British forces begin airstrikes against Taliban regime for sheltering Usama bin Laden and Al Qaeda terrorist network.
— Nov. 13, 2001: U.S.-backed Northern Alliance fighters enter Kabul, Afghan capital.
— Dec. 5, 2001: Conference of Afghan representatives in Germany creates framework for transitional government led by U.S.-approved candidate Hamid Karzai.
— Dec. 20, 2001: First international peacekeepers begin work in Kabul.
— Dec. 22, 2001: Interim government headed by Karzai sworn in.
— June 19, 2002: Grand council of Afghan leaders completes work on new government, affirming Karzai as country's interim president.
— Sept. 5, 2002: Gunman killed trying to assassinate Karzai.
— Nov. 3, 2003: Draft constitution presented after 11 months of work by 35-member commission, with local meetings for public input.
— Dec. 14, 2003: 502-member grand council convenes to debate constitutional draft.
— Jan. 4, 2004: Council adopts charter creating Islamic state under presidential system sought by Karzai, opening way for elections but also exposing enduring ethnic divisions.
— May 5, 2004: Three U.N. election workers shot dead in eastern Nuristan in attack claimed by Taliban rebels.
— June 25, 2004: Suspected Taliban kill up to 17 people in southern Uruzgan province because they registered to vote.
— Aug. 20, 2004: After nearly yearlong process during which 12 election workers slain, about 10.6 million Afghans are registered to vote.
— Sept. 7, 2004: Thirty days of campaigning starts for presidential election.
— Oct. 9, 2004: Hamid Karzai wins landslide in presidential election.
— Dec. 7, 2004: Karzai sworn in for five-year term.
https://www.foxnews.com/story/timeline-democracy-in-afghanistan