President of Egypt
"There is no happiness for people at the expense of other people."
Anwar Sadat was one of the 20th century's most improbable statesmen — a man who launched a war to make peace. He expelled Soviet advisors from Egypt in 1972 — a dramatic signal to Washington. He then secretly planned the Yom Kippur War — not to destroy Israel, but to break the post-1967 diplomatic deadlock. In his own words, he wanted to 'restore Egypt's honor' and create enough military momentum to negotiate from a position other than defeat. The canal crossing succeeded beyond expectations. Four years later, he flew to Jerusalem, addressed the Knesset, and began the peace process that returned the Sinai. He signed the Camp David Accords with Begin and Carter in 1978 and won the Nobel Peace Prize. In 1981, he was assassinated by Islamist soldiers at a military parade in Cairo.
Did you know?
Sadat was personally present at the assassination of Egyptian Prime Minister Nokrashi in 1948, and was imprisoned twice by the British. He later said the Yom Kippur War was never intended to destroy Israel — only to restore Egyptian honor enough to negotiate from strength.
October 6–9, 1973 · 3,000 total casualties
The canal crossing was Egypt's greatest military achievement since Thutmose III. The use of high-pressure water hoses to breach Israeli sand fortifications — a suggestion by a civilian engineer — was a stroke of operational ingenuity. The shock to Israeli military confidence was profound. The myth of Israeli invincibility, born in 1967, died on October 6, 1973.
October 15–17, 1973 · 2,000 total casualties
The Chinese Farm battle enabled the most audacious operation of the war — Israeli forces crossing the Suez Canal into Africa. With the Egyptian Third Army soon encircled, Sadat faced strategic catastrophe. The encirclement forced Egypt to accept a ceasefire despite its initial successes, ultimately leading Sadat to conclude that military means alone could not recover the Sinai and setting him on the path to the Camp David Accords.
December 25, 1918
🌅 Birth
Born in Mit Abu al-Kom, Egypt
July 1952
milestone
Participated in Free Officers Revolution with Nasser
September 1970
milestone
Became President after Nasser's death
October 1973
⚔️ Battle
Launched Yom Kippur War — the war he designed to make peace
November 19, 1977
milestone
Flew to Jerusalem; addressed Israeli Knesset — first Arab leader to visit Israel
September 1978
milestone
Signed Camp David Accords with Begin and Carter; won Nobel Peace Prize
October 6, 1981
✝️ Death
Assassinated by Islamist soldiers at Cairo military parade