I took Wednesday off work ... 10 year anniversary.
The wife and I were up early watching the TV when all this unfolded.
1st.. reporters started making announcements that the "minders" had gone. disappeared! Then they started meandering outside.
2nd.. The saddam 65th birthday memorial was empty, a few reporters were wandering around.. then the Army rolled in.
3rd.. People began slowly coming out.. spontaneously greeting the troops.. etc.
4th.. 2 Iraqi's climbed up the statue while a third tried to ripp off the placard at the base. Then some guy showed up with a sledge hammer. He started whacking at the base of the statue like it was a tree. The hammer began to be passed around.
Finally - Iraqi's had tied a rope around the neck of the statue, but were unable to use it to pull it down. The tank recovery vehicle was then brought in to help.
I saw it live and uncut from the start. It was a beautiful thing to see.