Anwar el-Sadat

Sadat participated as a Free Officer in the coup that overthrew King Farouk. The revolution ended the monarchy and established a republic, with Sadat later rising to the presidency.

Sadat launched a coordinated Egyptian-Syrian attack on Israel on October 6, 1973. The crossing of the Suez Canal and initial gains restored Egyptian pride and led to strategic negotiations.

Sadat introduced the Open Door economic policy, shifting Egypt from state socialism to a market-oriented economy. The policy attracted foreign investment but increased inequality.

Sadat signed the Camp David Accords with Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin at the U.S. presidential retreat. The framework led to a peace treaty between Egypt and Israel.

Sadat and Begin signed the formal peace treaty in Washington D.C., ending 30 years of war between Egypt and Israel. Egypt regained Sinai and normalized relations.

Sadat was assassinated by Islamist soldiers during a military parade in Cairo. The attackers opposed the Camp David Accords and his domestic policies.