Saudi National Day
The Saudi National Day marks the yearly celebration of the unifying of Saudi Arabia. It is an official holiday, marking the first day of Libra at the beginning of the Solar Hijri Year. It coincides with September 23 in the Gregorian calendar. It is one of the significant historical days in the Saudi calendar and a public holiday in Saudi Arabia.
Saudi National Day history
After King Abdulaziz Bin Abdulrahman Al Saud determined that the state had achieved maturity and that its name should be changed from the Kingdom of Hejaz and Najd and its dependencies to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and following unanimous agreement among governing authorities and widespread telegrams of support from across the country, he proclaimed the unification of Saudi Arabia.
In 1932, Royal Decree No. 2716 was issued, officially establishing the first day of Libra of 1932 as the date of Saudi Arabia's unification.
Adoption of the Saudi National Day as an official holiday
The National Day of Saudi Arabia was established by a Royal Decree during the reign of King Faisal Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud in 1965. In 2004, King Fahd made Saudi National Day an official public holiday.
National Day's association with the Saudi flag
Saudi National Day is marked to honor the role of King Abdulaziz and his comrades in uniting Saudi Arabia. The celebrations typically involve raising the Saudi national flag on all government buildings, spectacular firework displays, national marches, official speeches, and grand festivities held across all regions of Saudi Arabia.
Saudi traditions take center stage in Saudi Arabia's media, international airports, and across various channels of governmental organizations and the private sector.