Stephen I of Hungary, also known as Saint Stephen, was the first King of Hungary, reigning from 1000 to 1038. He played a crucial role in establishing the Christian state of Hungary and is credited with unifying the various tribes in the region. His efforts to promote Christianity included the founding of churches and the establishment of a bishopric. Stephen was canonized as a saint by the Catholic Church in 1083, and his feast day is celebrated on August 16. He is considered a national hero in Hungary, symbolizing the country's transition to a Christian kingdom and its cultural development during the early Middle Ages.