Encyclopedia/3. History, Societies & Civilizations/09. Modern Nations/10. Middle East & North Africa • Curated by Admin Timeline.sg
History of Saudi Arabia (AI-generated, sourced to Wikipedia).
Chronological Storyline (35 Milestones)
3000 BCE
Dilmun civilization flourishes
The Dilmun civilization emerges in the eastern Arabian Peninsula, becoming a major trade hub linking Mesopotamia with the Indus Valley. Source — Wikipedia, "Saudi Arabia":
Middle East during the second half of the 3rd millennium BC (ED III, Akkad and Ur III periods). By Middle_East_topographic_map-blank.svg: Sémhur (talk) derivative work: Zunkir (talk) - Middle_East_topographic_map-blank.svg, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=17330302
100 BCE
Nabataeans settle at Hegra
The Nabataean Kingdom establishes the city of Hegra (modern Mada'in Salih) in northwestern Arabia, carving elaborate rock-cut tombs. Source — Wikipedia, "Saudi Arabia":
Photograph of Hegra, also known as Mada'in Saleh, a UNESCO World Heritage Site located in Al-Ula, Saudi Arabia. 2022 By Ali Lajami - https://www.flickr.com/photos/199903594@N07/53530613033/, CC0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=145367426
Apr 22, 570 CE
Prophet Muhammad born
Muhammad ibn Abdullah, the prophet of Islam, is born in Mecca into the Quraysh tribe. Source — Wikipedia, "Saudi Arabia":
Muhammad's name, followed by his title "Envoy of God", inscribed on the gates of Al-Masjid al-Nabawi. By بلال الدويك - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=20912230
610 CE
First Quranic revelation
Muhammad receives his first revelation from the angel Gabriel in the Cave of Hira near Mecca, marking the beginning of Islam. Source — Wikipedia, "Saudi Arabia":
The Archangel Gabriel giving the Annunciation to Mohammed, from the 1595 illustrated edition of the Siyer-i Nebi. Topkapi Palace Museum, Istanbul, Turkey. By Painter unknown - http://www.zombietime.com/mohammed_image_archive/islamic_mo_face_hidden/, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=94903563
Sep 24, 622 CE
Hijra to Medina
Muhammad and his followers migrate from Mecca to Medina, establishing the first Islamic community and marking the start of the Islamic calendar. Source — Wikipedia, "Saudi Arabia":
Islamic miniature depicting Jibril delivering to Muhammad a message from God telling him to leave Makka for Madina By Unknown author - https://digitalcollections.nypl.org/items/cff0bdb0-d434-012f-fdaa-58d385a7bbd0?canvasIndex=571, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=171918415
Jan 11, 630 CE
Conquest of Mecca
Muhammad and his forces capture Mecca without significant resistance, rededicating the Kaaba to Islamic worship. Source — Wikipedia, "Saudi Arabia":
Islamic miniature of Muhammad and Ali (golden flames) leading the Muslim army in their destruction of Meccan idols By Unknown author - https://gallica.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/btv1b8432900m/f626.item.zoom https://gallica.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/btv1b8432900m/f627.item.zoom, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=171962575
Jun 8, 632 CE
Death of Prophet Muhammad
Muhammad dies in Medina after a brief illness, leaving a rapidly expanding Islamic state that would soon conquer the Arabian Peninsula and beyond. Source — Wikipedia, "Saudi Arabia":
Muhammad's name, followed by his title "Envoy of God", inscribed on the gates of Al-Masjid al-Nabawi. By بلال الدويك - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=20912230
1744 CE
First Saudi State founded
Muhammad bin Saud, ruler of Diriyah, forms a religious-political alliance with preacher Muhammad ibn Abd al-Wahhab, establishing the First Saudi State. Source — Wikipedia, "Saudi Arabia":
It is easy to put a border around this flag image By David First - https://www.worldstatesmen.org/Saudi_Arabia.htm#Nejdhttp://www.vexilla-mundi.com/saudi_arabia_history_nejd.htmlhttp://www.rbvex.it/asiapag/neged.html, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=103687849
Sep 1, 1818 CE
Diriyah destroyed by Ottomans
Ottoman forces under Ibrahim Pasha destroy Diriyah, ending the First Saudi State and sending its leaders to Istanbul for execution. Source — Wikipedia, "Saudi Arabia":
Flag of Saudi Arabia (obverse) By The Shura Council - Saudi Flag Website, Image of the Flag, Flag Guideline (Arabic), Flag Guideline (English), Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=27000408
1824 CE
Second Saudi State established
Turki bin Abdullah recaptures Riyadh and establishes the Second Saudi State, restoring Saudi rule in central Arabia. Source — Wikipedia, "Saudi Arabia":
It is easy to put a border around this flag image By David First - https://www.worldstatesmen.org/Saudi_Arabia.htm#Nejdhttp://www.vexilla-mundi.com/saudi_arabia_history_nejd.htmlhttp://www.rbvex.it/asiapag/neged.html, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=103687849
1891 CE
Second Saudi State falls
The Al Rashid dynasty of Ha'il defeats the Saudis at the Battle of Mulayda, ending the Second Saudi State and forcing the Al Saud into exile. Source — Wikipedia, "Saudi Arabia":
Flag of the Emirate of Ha'il By Guilherme Paula - [1], CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=3019519
Jan 15, 1902 CE
Abdulaziz recaptures Riyadh
Abdulaziz ibn Abdul Rahman Al Saud leads a small raiding party to recapture Riyadh from the Al Rashid, launching the campaign to unify Arabia. Source — Wikipedia, "Saudi Arabia":
Flag of Saudi Arabia (obverse) By The Shura Council - Saudi Flag Website, Image of the Flag, Flag Guideline (Arabic), Flag Guideline (English), Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=27000408
1913 CE
Al-Hasa conquered
Abdulaziz seizes the al-Hasa oasis from the Ottomans, gaining control of the eastern Arabian coast and future oil-rich territories. Source — Wikipedia, "Saudi Arabia":
The official portrait of King Abdulaziz, the founder of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. By Saudi Press Agency, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=141654688
Dec 1, 1925 CE
Hejaz incorporated
Saudi forces complete the conquest of the Hejaz region, taking Medina and Mecca and ending Hashemite rule over the holy cities. Source — Wikipedia, "Saudi Arabia":
Flag of Saudi Arabia (obverse) By The Shura Council - Saudi Flag Website, Image of the Flag, Flag Guideline (Arabic), Flag Guideline (English), Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=27000408
Sep 23, 1932 CE
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia proclaimed
Abdulaziz unifies the dual kingdoms of Hejaz and Nejd into the single Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, establishing the modern state. Source — Wikipedia, "Saudi Arabia":
Map of the Unification of Saudi Arabia, between 1901 and 1932 and beyond, showing ths phases. By Wario2 - Own work, CC BY 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=147309933
Mar 1, 1938 CE
Oil discovered at Dammam
Standard Oil geologists strike oil at Dammam Well No. 7, transforming the kingdom's economic future and the global energy landscape. Source — Wikipedia, "Saudi Arabia":
Flag of Saudi Arabia (obverse) By The Shura Council - Saudi Flag Website, Image of the Flag, Flag Guideline (Arabic), Flag Guideline (English), Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=27000408
Feb 14, 1945 CE
FDR meets King Abdulaziz
President Roosevelt and King Abdulaziz meet aboard the USS Quincy in the Suez Canal, establishing the foundation of the US-Saudi alliance. Source — Wikipedia, "Saudi Arabia":
Flag of Saudi Arabia (obverse) By The Shura Council - Saudi Flag Website, Image of the Flag, Flag Guideline (Arabic), Flag Guideline (English), Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=27000408
Nov 9, 1953 CE
King Abdulaziz dies
King Abdulaziz dies in Taif after 51 years of rule; his son Saud succeeds him as the second king of Saudi Arabia. Source — Wikipedia, "Saudi Arabia":
Official portrait of King Saud IV of Saudi Arabia By Unknown author - وكالة الأنباء السعودية, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=111767980
Sep 14, 1960 CE
OPEC founded
Saudi Arabia co-founds the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries in Baghdad, gaining leverage over global oil pricing. Source — Wikipedia, "Saudi Arabia":
Flag of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries By Zscout370 - English Wikipedia: en:Image:Flag_of_OPEC.svg, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=1140939
Nov 2, 1964 CE
King Faisal takes power
King Saud abdicates under family pressure, and Crown Prince Faisal becomes king, launching ambitious modernization and reform programs. Source — Wikipedia, "Saudi Arabia":
Portrait of King Faisal bin Abdulaziz By Louis Fabian Bachrach Jr. - Saudi Press Agency, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=185692520
Oct 16, 1973 CE
Oil embargo begins
Saudi Arabia leads an OPEC oil embargo against nations supporting Israel in the Yom Kippur War, quadrupling oil prices and reshaping global geopolitics. Source — Wikipedia, "Saudi Arabia":
West Texas Intermediate oil price history from 1950–2000, with an annotation for the 1973 oil crisis. Gnuplot code below (with some manual editing in Inkscape). Inflation adjustment uses the US CPI average, rebased to 1947. This is to better illustrate the effect of the 1973 oil crisis, and should not be used for contemporary comparisons. By Isochrone - Own work using: Spot Crude Oil Price: West Texas Intermediate (WTI), Dollars per Barrel, Monthly, Not Seasonally Adjusted WTI Spot Crude Oil Price, via the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis Inflation adjusted using: CPI Average, via the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=156152880
Mar 25, 1975 CE
King Faisal assassinated
King Faisal is shot dead by his nephew Prince Faisal bin Musaid in Riyadh, reportedly in revenge for his brother's death during a protest. Source — Wikipedia, "Saudi Arabia":
Portrait of King Faisal bin Abdulaziz By Louis Fabian Bachrach Jr. - Saudi Press Agency, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=185692520
Nov 20, 1979 CE
Grand Mosque seized
Juhayman al-Otaybi and hundreds of armed militants seize the Grand Mosque in Mecca, holding it for two weeks before Saudi and French forces retake it. Source — Wikipedia, "Saudi Arabia":
Saudi soldiers fighting their way into the Qaboo Underground beneath the Grand Mosque of Mecca, 1979 By Not cited. - http://williamdudleybass.com/thirty-five-years-war, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=37746153
1986 CE
Custodian of Two Holy Mosques
King Fahd replaces the title 'His Majesty' with 'Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques,' emphasizing Saudi Arabia's religious role and legitimacy. Source — Wikipedia, "Saudi Arabia":
Flag of Saudi Arabia (obverse) By See File history below for details. - Saudi Flag Website, Saudi Flag Guideline (Page 9), Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=4148492
Aug 2, 1990 CE
Gulf War begins
Iraq invades Kuwait, prompting Saudi Arabia to invite coalition forces onto its soil and host over 500,000 foreign troops for Operation Desert Storm. Source — Wikipedia, "Saudi Arabia":
USAF aircraft of the 4th Fighter Wing (F-16, F-15C and F-15E) fly over Kuwaiti oil fires, set by the retreating Iraqi army during Operation Desert Storm in 1991. Almost the same as Image:USAF F-16A F-15C F-15E Desert Storm pic.jpg save for the size and tint By US Air Force - Source, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=2782935
Mar 1, 1992 CE
Basic Law promulgated
King Fahd issues the Basic Law of Government, Saudi Arabia's first quasi-constitution, defining succession, governance structures, and citizens' rights. Source — Wikipedia, "Saudi Arabia":
Flag of Saudi Arabia (obverse) By The Shura Council - Saudi Flag Website, Image of the Flag, Flag Guideline (Arabic), Flag Guideline (English), Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=27000408
1999 CE
Internet introduced
Saudi Arabia formally allows public internet access through a centralized filtering system, connecting citizens to the global digital network. Source — Wikipedia, "Saudi Arabia":
Flag of Saudi Arabia (obverse) By The Shura Council - Saudi Flag Website, Image of the Flag, Flag Guideline (Arabic), Flag Guideline (English), Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=27000408
Aug 1, 2005 CE
King Fahd dies
King Fahd dies after a long illness; Crown Prince Abdullah becomes king and implements cautious social and economic reforms. Source — Wikipedia, "Saudi Arabia":
Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates, left, attends a meeting with King Abdullah bin Abdul al-Saud at the king's hunting lodge in Saudi Arabia to discuss current issues in the Middle East Jan. 17, 2007. DoD photo by Cherie A. Thurlby. (Released) By Cherie A. Thurlby - dodmedia.osd.mil, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=37994194
Jan 23, 2015 CE
King Salman ascends throne
King Abdullah dies and King Salman succeeds him, quickly consolidating power and appointing his son Mohammed bin Salman as deputy crown prince. Source — Wikipedia, "Saudi Arabia":
Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo meets with the Custodian of Two Holy Mosques King Salman in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on February 20, 2020. [State Department Photo by Ron Przysucha/ Public Domain] By U.S. Department of State from United States - Secretary Pompeo Meets with the Custodian of Two Holy Mosques King Salman, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=87563729
Apr 25, 2016 CE
Vision 2030 announced
Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman unveils Vision 2030, a sweeping plan to diversify the economy away from oil and modernize Saudi society. Source — Wikipedia, "Saudi Arabia":
Flag of Saudi Arabia (obverse) By The Shura Council - Saudi Flag Website, Image of the Flag, Flag Guideline (Arabic), Flag Guideline (English), Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=27000408
Nov 4, 2017 CE
Anti-corruption arrests
Authorities detain dozens of princes, ministers, and businessmen at the Ritz-Carlton Riyadh in a sweeping anti-corruption campaign that nets billions in settlements. Source — Wikipedia, "Saudi Arabia":
A photograph of Mohammed bin Salman taken in Russia in 2019 at a signing ceremony for Russian-Saudi documents. By The Presidential Press and Information Office - http://kremlin.ru/events/president/trips/61823/photos/61416, CC BY 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=104321754
Jun 24, 2018 CE
Women permitted to drive
Saudi Arabia lifts its longstanding ban on women driving, allowing millions of women to obtain licenses and drive legally for the first time. Source — Wikipedia, "Saudi Arabia":
Flag of Saudi Arabia (obverse) By The Shura Council - Saudi Flag Website, Image of the Flag, Flag Guideline (Arabic), Flag Guideline (English), Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=27000408
Oct 2, 2018 CE
Khashoggi murdered
Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi is killed inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul by a Saudi government team, sparking international outrage and scrutiny. Source — Wikipedia, "Saudi Arabia":
Funeral for Kashoggi in Istanbul, November 16, 2018 Image donated to Wikimedia UK by Mark Lowen, former BBC correspondent in Turkey. By Mark Lowen - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=82766849
Nov 21, 2020 CE
G20 summit held in Riyadh
Saudi Arabia hosts the G20 summit virtually due to COVID-19, the first Arab nation to lead the group, highlighting its growing diplomatic influence. Source — Wikipedia, "Saudi Arabia":
Flag of Saudi Arabia (obverse) By The Shura Council - Saudi Flag Website, Image of the Flag, Flag Guideline (Arabic), Flag Guideline (English), Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=27000408
Mar 10, 2023 CE
Saudi-Iran deal brokered
Saudi Arabia and Iran agree to restore diplomatic ties in a China-brokered deal, ending seven years of severed relations and reshaping regional dynamics. Source — Wikipedia, "Saudi Arabia":
Flag of Saudi Arabia (obverse) By The Shura Council - Saudi Flag Website, Image of the Flag, Flag Guideline (Arabic), Flag Guideline (English), Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=27000408
![Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo meets with the Custodian of Two Holy Mosques King Salman in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on February 20, 2020. [State Department Photo by Ron Przysucha/ Public Domain]](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/03/Salman_of_Saudi_Arabia_-_2020_%2849563590728%29_%28cropped%29.jpg)
