c. 610★★★★★
Muhammad's first revelation
According to Islamic tradition, Muhammad receives his first revelation in the cave of Hira near Mecca, beginning his prophetic mission.
Religion· Saudi Arabia
Countries / Middle East
History of Saudi Arabia
11 notable historical events in Saudi Arabia, in chronological order.
7th century
- 622★★★★★
The Hijra
The Prophet Muhammad and his followers migrate from Mecca to Medina; the year becomes the start of the Islamic calendar.
Religion· Saudi Arabia - 630★★★★★
Conquest of Mecca
Muhammad and his followers enter Mecca almost without bloodshed, making it the centre of Islam.
ReligionPolitics· Saudi Arabia - June 632★★★★★
Death of Muhammad; Abu Bakr becomes caliph
After Muhammad dies in Medina, Abu Bakr is chosen as the first caliph, beginning the Rashidun Caliphate.
ReligionPoliticsDeath· Saudi Arabia
14th century
- 1324★★★★★
Mansa Musa's pilgrimage to Mecca
Mansa Musa of Mali made the pilgrimage to Mecca with a vast retinue, spending so much gold in Cairo that its value fell, spreading Mali's fame across the Islamic world and Europe.
ReligionEconomy· Mali, Egypt, Saudi Arabia
16th century
- 1516 – 1517★★★★★
Ottomans conquer the Mamluk Sultanate
Selim I defeats the Mamluks, annexing Syria, Egypt and the Hejaz and making the Ottomans the leading power of the Muslim world.
War· Egypt, Syria, Saudi Arabia
20th century
- June 1916 – 1918★★★★★
The Arab Revolt
With British backing, Sharif Hussein of Mecca launches an uprising against the Ottoman Empire seeking Arab independence.
WarRevolution· Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Syria - September 23, 1932★★★★★
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia proclaimed
Ibn Saud unites the realms of Hejaz and Nejd as the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Politics· Saudi Arabia - September 14, 1960★★★★★
OPEC founded
Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Venezuela found the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries at the Baghdad Conference.
Economy· Iraq, Iran, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Venezuela - October 1973 – March 1974★★★★★
1973 oil crisis
Arab oil producers impose an embargo on countries supporting Israel, causing world oil prices to soar.
Economy· Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Iraq, United States - January 17, 1991 – February 28, 1991★★★★★
Gulf War
A US-led coalition launches Operation Desert Storm, expelling Iraqi forces from Kuwait.
War· Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, United States