Saudi Arabia National Day (Unification) — 23 September
Saudi Arabia celebrates its National Day (Unification) every year on 23 September, marking the events of 1932.
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Why 23 September?
Saudi Arabia's National Day, on 23 September, commemorates the 1932 royal decree by King Abdulaziz Al Saud — known in the West as Ibn Saud — that unified the regions of Najd and Hejaz and their surrounding territories into the single Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Unification followed three decades of campaigns that began with Abdulaziz's recapture of Riyadh in 1902. The green flag, unchanged in spirit since the day of unification, bears the Islamic declaration of faith, the Shahada, in white Thuluth calligraphy above a horizontal sword symbolising justice and the strength of the House of Saud; because it carries scripture, the flag is never lowered to half-mast and is never printed on anything disposable. National Day is a public holiday marked by fireworks, air-force displays, folk performances of the ardah sword dance and streets awash in green. Distinct from the kingdom's religious festivals, it is a comparatively modern celebration of Saudi statehood and national identity.
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Quick facts
- Date
- 23 September (every year)
- Official name
- National Day (Unification)
- Commemorates
- 1932
- Public holiday
- Yes, in Saudi Arabia