The prophet Muhammad was born in Mecca.

Muhammad returned from Medina and conquered Mecca. The Islamic conquest of Arabia began.

The caliphs moved from Medina to Damascus, Syria. Arabia declined in importance within the Muslim Empire.

The Saud dynasty was founded near modern Riyadh.

Saudi armies helped spread the Wahhabi Islamic reform movement over much of Arabia.

Following defeat by Ottoman forces, the Saud family established a new capital at Riyadh.

Family feuds weakened Saudi power, and much of Arabia was conquered by the Ottoman Empire and local tribal chiefs. The Saud family fled into exile in Kuwait.

Abdul Aziz ibn Saud returned from Kuwait and captured Riyadh.

Saudi forces controlled the Najd region.

Saudi forces captured the Al Ahsa’, ‘Asir’, and Al Hijaz (Hejaz) regions, unifying much of Arabia under Saudi rule.

Ibn Saud proclaimed the unified Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

The first major petroleum deposit in Saudi Arabia was discovered.

Saudi Arabia became a founding member of the United Nations and of the Arab League.

Ibn Saud died. He was succeeded by his eldest son, Saud.

Saud was forced from the throne and succeeded by his brother, Faisal. Faisal used oil profits to help modernize the country, and made Saudi Arabia more active in world affairs.

Saudi Arabia offered financial support to Arab countries fighting Israel during the Six-Day War.

Rising oil prices greatly increased Saudi Arabia's export earnings. Many new development projects were funded by the new wealth.

Saudi Arabia stopped or reduced oil exports to many Western countries following the Yom Kippur War between Israel and neighboring Arab countries.

Crown Prince Fahd assumed the throne after the death of his half brother, King Khalid.

After Iraq invaded Kuwait, troops from the United States and other Western nations arrived in Saudi Arabia to help defend the country against an Iraqi invasion.

Saudi Arabia joined a U.S.-led coalition that drove Iraq out of Kuwait during the Persian Gulf War.

King Fahd officially inaugurated the Shura Council, an advisory body of 60 members, established in response to calls for governmental reform.

Saudi Arabia's economy was hurt by falling oil prices and heavy spending.

Saudi Arabia and Yemen agreed to negotiate a settlement to their longstanding dispute over the border between the two countries.