What year did Saddam Hussein first come to power in Iraq?

Saddam Hussein first came to power in Iraq in 1968. Following a coup d'état by the Ba'ath Party, he rapidly rose through the ranks of government and became vice president. He officially took over as president in 1979 after the resignation of Ahmed Hassan al-Bakr. This transition marked the beginning of his dictatorial rule characterized by widespread repression and conflict. Understanding this timeline is crucial as it sets the stage for Iraq's subsequent political landscape and military engagements, including the Iran-Iraq War and the Gulf War.

The years mentioned in the other options are significant in their own right: 1979 is when Saddam officially became president, and 1985 and 1991 are years marked by intense conflict for Iraq during his rule, including the later stages of the Iran-Iraq War and the Gulf War respectively. However, it was 1968 that marks the beginning of his rise to power.