Riyadh in History

Recaptures Riyadh and begins the formation of the modern Saudi state.

Takes part in the assault that restores Saudi control of Riyadh.

Issues the decree unifying his territories as the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Supports the royal administration preparing the unified kingdom.

Becomes king of the newly named Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Supports the royal house as the unified kingdom is proclaimed.

Serves in the new governmental structure created by the Council of Ministers.

Establishes the Council of Ministers as a central executive institution.

Becomes crown prince following King Saud's accession.

Succeeds King Abdulaziz as the second king of Saudi Arabia.

Supports expansion of public education during the university's founding.

Establishes the kingdom's first university in Riyadh.

Supports implementation of the state reform ending slavery.

Leads the government decision abolishing slavery in Saudi Arabia.

Presents a reform programme addressing government, education and social development.

Supports the royal programme for administrative and social reform.

Succeeds King Saud and becomes the third king of Saudi Arabia.

Is designated crown prince after King Faisal's accession.

Supports government modernization and expansion of national communications.

Authorizes regular television broadcasting as part of national modernization.

Supports planning for expanded infrastructure, education and public services.

Launches the first five-year national development plan.

Implements Saudi petroleum policy during the 1973 oil embargo.

Supports restrictions on oil supplies during the October Arab-Israeli war.

Supports industrial planning for the two new development cities.

Establishes the Royal Commission to develop Jubail and Yanbu.

Becomes crown prince following King Khalid's accession.

Succeeds King Faisal as the fourth king of Saudi Arabia.

Becomes crown prince following King Fahd's accession.

Succeeds King Khalid as the fifth king of Saudi Arabia.

Khalid coordinates Saudi and multinational forces operating within the coalition command structure.

King Fahd supports coalition operations from Saudi territory against Iraqi occupation forces.

Khalid coordinates air-defence measures as Iraqi Scud missiles threaten Saudi cities and bases.

King Fahd commends Saudi, Qatari and coalition forces after Khafji is retaken.

Supports implementation of the kingdom's new governance framework.

Issues the Basic Law defining central principles of Saudi governance.

Supports development of the reorganized national consultative body.

Issues the law reorganizing the Consultative Council.

Issues the law defining administration of Saudi provinces.

Supports implementation of the new provincial administrative framework.

Assumes management of daily state affairs after King Fahd's illness.

Supports government continuity during Crown Prince Abdullah's regency.

Launches a major scholarship programme for Saudi students overseas.

Oversees higher-education administration supporting the scholarship programme.

Succeeds King Fahd as the sixth king of Saudi Arabia.

Becomes crown prince after King Abdullah's accession.

Creates the Allegiance Council to formalize future royal succession.

Later chairs the royal body established to manage succession decisions.

Announces that women may vote and stand in future municipal elections.

Prepares municipal institutions for expanded electoral participation.

Appoints women as full members of the Consultative Council.

Joins the Consultative Council among its first group of women members.

Takes office as minister of defence after King Salman's accession.

Appoints Mohammed bin Salman as minister of defence.

Becomes crown prince following King Salman's accession.

Succeeds King Abdullah as the seventh king of Saudi Arabia.

Serves as spokesman for the Saudi-led coalition.

Briefs media on air operations and campaign objectives.

Becomes a central Saudi decision-maker in the campaign.

Oversees Saudi defense policy as coalition operations begin.

Authorizes Saudi participation in the coalition intervention in Yemen.

Oversees Saudi defence policy as the Yemen intervention begins.

Military operations continue alongside stated political and humanitarian goals.

Announces transition from Decisive Storm to Restoring Hope.

Presents the national programme for economic and social transformation.

Chairs the cabinet session approving Saudi Vision 2030.

Supports pressure on Houthi forces while backing political negotiations.

Maintains Saudi leadership of the coalition intervention.

Faces attacks on Saudi oil facilities at Abqaiq and Khurais.

Supports Saudi mediation of the Riyadh Agreement.

The accord seeks to reduce fighting among anti-Houthi factions.

Saudi Aramco begins trading after the world's largest initial public offering.

Leads Saudi Aramco as its shares begin trading on Tadawul.

Supports the public listing of Saudi Aramco under Vision 2030.

Saudi Arabia confirms its first COVID-19 case.

Saudi Arabia imposes a nationwide curfew as COVID-19 spreads.

Supports the Saudi G20 presidency and its economic agenda.

Chairs the G20 leaders' summit during Saudi Arabia's presidency.

Saudi policy increasingly emphasizes negotiations and de-escalation.

Supports diplomatic efforts surrounding the UN-brokered Yemen truce.

Supports the transfer to Yemen's Presidential Leadership Council.

Saudi Arabia backs the new anti-Houthi executive structure.