Foundation Day. A journey of 3 centuries of construction and development

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia will celebrate next Wednesday, February 22, the anniversary of «Foundation Day», under the slogan «The day we started», which marks the anniversary of the establishment of the first Saudi state, 3 centuries ago, by Imam Muhammad bin Saud, who established a political entity to achieve unity, stability and prosperity, and on this day Diriyah became the capital of the first Saudi state, so that the Saudi Foundation Day 2023 celebration comes under wise leadership working to strengthen national belonging and open horizons towards creativity and keep pace with the era with its developments.

With a wise leadership that works to strengthen national belonging and open horizons towards creativity and keep pace with the era with its developments.

Objectives of Foundation Day
After King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud issued a royal decree in January 2022 declaring February 22 of each year as Foundation Day, the occasion was celebrated for the first time amidst celebrations and events across the Kingdom that emphasize the country's historical roots.


The objectives of Foundation Day are to cherish and celebrate the country's historical roots. The objectives of Foundation Day are to cherish the deep roots of the Saudi state, the close bond between citizens and their leaders, the unity, stability and security it has established, the steadfastness of the first Saudi state and its defense against enemies, the strength of its roots and leaders, the national unity of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia established by King Abdulaziz bin Abdulrahman Al Faisal Al Saud, and the achievements of the sons of King Abdulaziz in promoting construction and unity.

Foundation Day is a reminder of the extension of the Saudi state for three centuries, highlighting its historical and civilizational depth, celebrating its diverse cultural heritage, and honoring those who contributed to the service of the homeland, including imams, kings and citizens.

Foundation of the First State
Imam Muhammad bin Saud took power in Diriyah in the second half of 1139 AH, and 30 Jumada II 1139 AH, corresponding to February 22, 1727 AD, was set as the date of the establishment of the first Saudi state.
The first Saudi state lasted until 1233 AH (1818 AD), with its capital «Diriyah», and became the capital of a sprawling state, a source of economic, social, intellectual and cultural attraction, and embraces on its soil archaeological monuments, in addition to the state's financial system described as one of the distinguished systems in terms of balancing resources and expenditures.
Many scholars migrated to Diriyah to receive the education and authorship that was prevalent at the time. Imam Turki bin Abdullah bin Muhammad bin Saud was able to regain Riyadh and establish the second Saudi state in 1240 AH 1824 AD after seven years of work and struggle, and people rallied around him and the royal family again.
Imam Turki was able to unify most parts of the Arabian Peninsula in a short period of time, continuing the approach on which the first Saudi state was based: maintaining security, education, justice and eliminating division and rivalry, and the state continued to rule the region until 1309 AH 1891 AD.

Starting a new page
After a political vacuum in the center of the Arabian Peninsula that lasted nearly ten years, King Abdulaziz Al Saud was able on the fifth of Shawwal in 1319 AH (January 15, 1902 AD) to re-establish the third Saudi state after he recovered the city of Riyadh to start a new page of Saudi history and lay one of the building blocks of unity, stability and development.

On the seventeenth of Jumada I in 1351 AH (September 23, 1932 AD), King Abdulaziz announced the unification of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.