When did the war in Afghanistan start?

Afghanistan has been in a state of war since the Soviet invasion of 1979.

Many great powers throughout history have occupied Afghanistan, only to be driven out.
Western forces, led by the United States, have battled the Islamist Taliban group in Afghanistan since 2001.
The United States and other Western powers invaded and occupied Afghanistan in 2001, following the 9/11 terrorist attacks.
The United States is now withdrawing its troops from Afghanistan, as the Taliban rapidly gain ground in the country.