The unification of Saudi Arabia under King Abd al-Aziz (Ibn Sa'ud) was achieved in 1932. The kingdom remains the only country in the world named after its royal family.
* 1937 Oil reserves discovered near Riyadh.
* 1939 Ceremonial start of oil production at Az Zahran.
* 1945 Abdel Aziz meets US President Roosevelt on
USS Quincy in the Red Sea.
* 1953 King Sa'ud succeeds upon the death of his father, Abdel Aziz.
* 1964 King Sa'ud abdicates in favor of his brother, Faisal.
* 1967 Saudi forces join with those of Jordan and Iraq against Israel during Six Day War.
* 1969 Air Force officers stage an abortive coup against King Faisal.
* 1973 Saudi Arabia imposes an oil embargo on Western supporters of Israel.
* 1975 King Faisal assassinated by a deranged nephew and is succeeded by his brother Khalid.
* 1979 Muslim fundamentalists led by Juhaiman ibn Seif al-Otaibi seize the Grand Mosque in Mecca and proclaim a "Mahdi" (messiah) on the first day of the Islamic year 1400.
* 1981 Formation of Gulf Cooperation Council, with secretariat in Riyadh.
* 1982 King Fahd succeeds upon the death of his brother, King Khalid. Promises to create consultative assembly.
* 1986 Opening of King Fahd Causeway to Bahrain. Sheikh Yamani fired as oil minister.
* 1987 Diplomatic relations with Iran deteriorate after 402 people die in riots involving Islamic fundamentalists in Mecca during the haj (pilgrimage).
* 1989 Saudi Arabia signs non-aggression pact with Iraq. Saudi Arabia brokers political settlement to Lebanese civil war.
* 1990 Kuwaiti royals seek sanctuary in Taif after Iraqi invasion.
* 1990û1991 US, UK, French, Egyptian and Syrian forces assemble in Saudi Arabia for Operation Desert Storm. Public executions are halted.
* 1991 Iraqis seize border town of Al Khafji, but are driven out by Saudi, US and Qatari forces.
* 1992 King Fahd pays for British girl Laura Davies to have heart transplant in USA.
* 1993 King Fahd appoints 60-man Consultative Assembly.
