More than 8 years after it began, US military mission in Iraq is officially over. During the ceremony yesterday in Bagalda, American troops lowered the flag of command that flew over the Iraqi capital. One of American officials said that it is the time for Iraq to look forward and he added quote we owe it to all of the lives that was sacrificed in this war not to fail. J looks back the history of this conflict. we began with shocking and all and top of regime Hosain has no ended quietly with casing off the collars, 8 years, 8 months and 26 days after it began , the US offciailly ended its mission in Iraq. On thursday , US troops in Bagalda lowered the American flag for the last time. US defense secretary Leon presented over the symbolic ceremony : you will leave with great proud, lasting proud, secury N, that is your sacrifice as we help Iraqi people, the year of new chapter in history. more than 4500 American people have been killed since the conflict began, while there are estimates that more than 100,000 Iraqis have died. We looked back at sacrifices made by so many Americans and so many Iraqis. But we also look forward to Iraq that is sovereign, secure and self relliants. But nearly nine years of the war began, some current and former US military would question if US troops are leaving too soon.

    In my judgement , we could have used the next few years training and developing Iraqi security forces, so those hard one gains that the soldiers have achieved would be permanent and not speculative. Of the 5500 US troops are still in Iraq, almost all of them leave the country by Dec.31. J reporting.

   In Washington, Lawmakers are trying to reach compromises, congress is schedule to go its holiday break after today.that means this is the deadline for action on the couple pieces of legislation. The first is the payroll taxes cut we told you about it , it is said to expire  at the end of the year, congress is considering expanding the taxes cut if they don't, it could mean higher taxes for working Americans next year. The other piece of legislation is government spending bill. If this doesn't get passed , there could be a partial government shutdown. On thursday evening ,the White House and the leaders of the House and senate said they are making progess on both issues, you can get the latese developments on what's happening with them at CNN.com.

Today shoutout goes out to all CNN students news viewers around the world, which of these event of 2011 happened first? was the final space shuttle mission? royal wedding in England? US credit rating downgrade? or Tunisia longtime leader flees? you've got three seconds , go..... After 21 years in power , Tunisia president fled his country in january following weeks of political protests. That's your answer and that's your shoutout. and to test your knowledge on more you've been from 2011, check this out.

   Teachers and students , we have great way for you to give and get some extra credit. check it out, it's our 2011, end of this year, news quiz at CNN student news.com. Now you've seen , the cover of headlines, we want to see what you've learned and this would be interactive or you can do it in a hard way , we got question without answer options, it's available as PDF but I wouldn't recommend it's really tough. I'm gonna ahead answer one of the questions here, which African country split into two on July 9 to form the world's newest nation. I'm to say Sudan and I'm gonna to be right, oh ,What I'm feeling is awesome, you can get that two, you got nine more chances see how well you do on news quiz at CNN news.com.