Riyadh, 1902
King Abdulaziz bin Abdulrahman Al Saud was born in Riyadh in 1293 AH. After a first attempt failed, he recaptured Riyadh in Shawwal 1319 AH, January 1902, and its people pledged allegiance to him as emir of Najd.
Unification
Over the following three decades he brought the regions together. By a royal order dated 17 Jumada al-Ula 1351 AH, the country took the name of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and the unification was declared on 23 September 1932, now celebrated as National Day.
Building a state
Under his rule commercial oil was discovered at Dammam Well No. 7 in 1938, and the first ministries were established, among them Foreign Affairs in 1930 and Finance in 1932, followed by the Council of Ministers in 1953.
He died on 2 Rabi' al-Awwal 1373 AH, November 1953, in Taif, and was buried in al-Oud cemetery in Riyadh. He was succeeded by his son, King Saud.