Key dates in life of Saudi Arabian King Fahd:

—1923: Born, son of King Abdul Aziz, founder of modern Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

—1945: Member of Saudi delegation at signing of U.N. Charter.

—1953: Appointed country's first education minister, lays foundation for nationwide school system.

—1962: Named interior minister.

—1967: Becomes to second deputy prime minister.

—1975: Anointed crown prince, becoming de facto ruler during illness of half-brother King Khaled.

—1981: Proposes Mideast peace plan calling for Palestinian state in return for implicit acceptance of Israel, but Arab hard-liners reject proposal at Arab League summit.

—1982: Assumes throne at Khaled's death.

—1988: Signs Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty.

—1988: Initiates diplomatic efforts to end eight-year Iraq-Iran war.

—1990: Signs border demarcation accord with Oman.

—1990: Condemns Iraq's invasion of Kuwait and worked with U.S.-led coalition to drive Iraqis out. Angers Islamic militants by allowing U.S. and other Western troops onto Saudi soil.

—1993: Introduces new regulations for Council of Ministers.

—1993: Hosts 14th Gulf Cooperation Council summit in Riyadh

—1993: Donates $100 million for social services and utility projects for Palestinians in Gaza Strip and West Bank.

—1993: Approves new Higher Education Council and universities system.

—1994: Donates funds for restoration of Islam's third holiest shrine and two other mosques in Jerusalem.

—1995: Suffers stroke; brother Crown Prince Abdullah takes over as day to day leader.

—Aug. 1, 2005: Fahd dies at the King Faisal Specialist Hospital in the Saudi capital, Riyadh.

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Sources: King Fahd's Web site, Saudi Arabian Information Resource.