Since its establishment in 1971, the UAE has undergone significant development, witnessing remarkable changes across various facets of its existence. From a cluster of Trucial States, it has evolved into a global Gulf powerhouse, showcasing unprecedented growth in its economy and fostering a diverse and expanding society. Have a glimpse of some of the landmark moments that have helped to shape the country’s history.

1971

• December 2: The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is established in Dubai, with Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan as the first President.
• February 10, 1972: Ras Al Khaimah joins the UAE.
• February 12: The Federal National Council convenes for the first time.

1972

• December 2: The inaugural National Day is celebrated, featuring Egyptian singer Najat Al Saghira performing the new national anthem.

1973

• May 19: Introduction of the UAE dirham.
• September 26: Abu Dhabi sees its first traffic lights in operation.
• October 18: Sheikh Zayed announces the UAE’s oil supply cut to the US over its support for Israel in the Yom Kippur war.
• November 15: National Day celebrations are canceled due to the Middle East crisis.
• December 23: A new Cabinet is formed, with Sheikh Rashid as Prime Minister.

1974

• January 31: Inauguration of direct telephone service between Abu Dhabi and Dubai.
• September 17: Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad Al Sharqi becomes the new Ruler of Fujairah after his father’s passing.

1975

• April 2: Opening of Al Maktoum Bridge in Dubai.
• December 21: The World Bank confirms the UAE’s highest average income globally in 1974.

1976

• February 1: Preliminary census results reveal a population of 655,937 at the end of 1975.
• May 6: Unification of the UAE armed forces.
• November 22: Sheikh Zayed is unanimously re-elected President.

1977

• January 1: Sharjah International Airport opens.
• April 26: Female students are admitted to UAE University.
• October 25: Saif Ghobash, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, is shot dead at Abu Dhabi International Airport.

1978

• January 9: Sheikh Zayed bans hunting of birds and wild animals.
• April 8: Direct phone links commence between Sharjah and Fujairah.
• April 12: Official establishment of the Red Crescent in the UAE.
• August 15: Introduction of maternity leave lasting up to 45 days.

1979

• February 24: Queen Elizabeth II inaugurates the World Trade Centre in Dubai.

1980

• July 7: Seven Gulf countries establish the Regional Organisation to Protect the Marine Environment.

1981

• February 21: Sheikh Ahmed bin Rashid of Umm Al Quwain passes away, succeeded by his son Sheikh Rashid.
• May 25: Formation of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) by the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Oman, Bahrain, and Qatar.
• September 6: The Ruler of Ajman, Sheikh Rashid bin Humaid Al Nuaimi, passes away, succeeded by his son Sheikh Humaid.

1982

• January 2: Opening of Abu Dhabi International Airport at its present location.

1983

• September 23: Gulf Air flight from Pakistan to Abu Dhabi crashes due to a bomb, killing all 112 on board.

1984

• July: The UAE participates in the Summer Olympic Games for the first time in Los Angeles.

1985

• October 25: Emirates airline begins operations from Dubai.

1986

• May 6: Federal National Council acknowledges a recession, urging economic diversification.
• October 15: Sheikh Zayed is unanimously re-elected President.

1987

• October 26: UAE announces its oil reserves, expected to become the second-largest globally.

1988

• July 18: End of the Iran-Iraq War.

1989

• February 11: Death of Sheikh Shakhbut, former Ruler of Abu Dhabi.

1990

• June 9-19: UAE national football team participates in the Fifa World Cup in Italy.
• October 7: Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed passes away, succeeded by his son Sheikh Maktoum bin Rashid Al Maktoum.

1991

• February 24: UAE joins a 34-nation coalition to liberate Kuwait.

1992

• August 24: Iran escalates tension over Abu Musa and Greater and Lesser Tunb islands.

1993

• March 6: Expansion of federal ministries.
• September: UAE sends ground troops to Iraq amid rising tensions.

1994

• June 6: UAE promises military and humanitarian aid to Bosnia.

1996

• May 20: Provisional Constitution made permanent; Abu Dhabi declared the capital.

1997

• November: Dirham is pegged to the US dollar.

1998

• March 12: Abu Dhabi Islands Archaeological Survey begins on Marawah Island, revealing the country’s earliest settlement.

1999

• September 30: Completion of Burj Al Arab in Dubai.

2000

• April 15: Completion of Jumeirah Emirates Towers, the tallest building in the Middle East.

2001

• September 22: UAE severs relations with Afghanistan’s Taliban government after September 11.

2002

• February 16: Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid announces the creation of Dubai International Financial Centre.

2003

• March 1: UAE publicly calls for Saddam Hussein to step down.
• November 5: Inaugural flight of Etihad Airways.

2004

• August 17: Sheikh Ahmed Al Maktoum wins gold in double trap shooting at Athens Olympics.
• November 1: Sheikha Lubna Al Qasimi becomes the first woman in the government.
• November 2: Death of Sheikh Zayed.

2005

• February 25: Opening of Emirates Palace in Abu Dhabi.
• August 10: Sheikh Khalifa signs Law No19, allowing the sale of freehold rights.

2006

• January 4: Death of Sheikh Maktoum bin Rashid; succeeded by Sheikh Mohammed.
• December 16: First election for the Federal National Council.

2007

• March 6: Agreement with France to open a branch of the Louvre on Saadiyat Island.

2008

• January 21: Opening of Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque.
• September 1: Manchester City Football Club is taken over by Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed.

2009

• January 2: Death of Sheikh Rashid bin Ahmed Al Mualla; succeeded by his son Sheikh Saud.
• September 9: Inauguration of Dubai Metro’s Red Line.

2010

• January 4: Inauguration of Burj Khalifa.

2011

• April 23: Launch of Yahsat’s first commercial telecommunications satellite.
• September 24: Second poll to elect members of the FNC.

2012

• July 15: Operation of a pipeline from Al Gharbia oilfields to Fujairah begins.

2013

• November 8: UAE hosts Fifa Under-17 World Cup for the first time.

2014

• January 19: Introduction of mandatory military service.

2015

• September 4: About 50 UAE Armed Forces members die in a missile attack in Yemen.

2016

• March 19: Flydubai flight 981 crashes in Russia, killing all on board.
• December 6: Inauguration of Wahat Al Karama, the UAE’s first memorial.

2017

• January 11: Five Emirati diplomats killed in a bombing in Afghanistan.
• November 8: Opening of Louvre Abu Dhabi.

2018

• January 1: Introduction of VAT in the UAE.
• January 28: Death of Sheikha Hessa bint Mohammed Al Nahyan.

2019

• February 3: Pope Francis visits the UAE.
• September 25: Hazza Al Mansouri becomes the first Emirati in space.

2020

• August 13: UAE and Israel normalize diplomatic relations.

2021

• March 24: Death of Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum.
• July 19: The Hope probe goes into orbit around Mars.
• October 1: Opening of Expo 2020 Dubai.

2022

• January 1: UAE shifts to a Saturday-Sunday weekend.
• February 22: Opening of the Museum of the Future in Dubai.
• May 13/14: Death of Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan; Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed elected as the new President.

2023

• March 29: Sheikh Khalid bin Mohamed Al Nahyan appointed Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi.
• November 30: Cop28, the UN climate change conference, opens in Dubai under the chairmanship of Dr. Sultan Al Jabar.