History and the Union (1971)
Timeline
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| From 3200 BC | Bronze Age; the Jebel Hafeet period is named after tombs near Al Ain |
| 1300 to 300 BC | Iron Age; the first falaj irrigation channels bring groundwater to farms |
| AD 630 | Envoys of the Prophet Mohammed bring Islam to the region |
| 1498 | The Portuguese arrive in the Gulf |
| 1633 | Ya'aruba forces drive the Portuguese from Julfar and Dibba |
| 1820 to 1853 | Britain signs a series of maritime agreements with the sheikhs |
| 1892 | Exclusive Agreements: Britain handles foreign relations and defence of the Trucial States |
| 6 August 1966 | Sheikh Zayed becomes Ruler of Abu Dhabi |
| Early 1968 | Britain announces it will leave the Gulf by the end of 1971 |
| 18 February 1968 | Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid of Dubai agree a union at Al Samha |
| 25 to 27 February 1968 | The rulers of nine states, including Qatar and Bahrain, agree an 11-point plan in Dubai |
| 18 July 1971 | Six rulers decide to form the United Arab Emirates |
| 2 December 1971 | The UAE is declared; Sheikh Zayed is elected President |
| 9 December 1971 | The UAE joins the United Nations |
| 10 February 1972 | Ras Al Khaimah joins, completing the seven emirates |
| 2004 | Sheikh Zayed dies; Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed becomes the second President |
| 14 May 2022 | Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed becomes the third President |
Source: UAE Government Portal: History; UAE Government Portal: Founders of the Union; UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs: History of the UAE (Arabic); UAE Government Portal: Fact sheet1,2,4,3
How the Union was formed
After Britain announced its withdrawal on 16 January 1968, Sheikh Zayed went to Dubai to meet Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum. Their agreement of 18 February 1968 called for a federation of the seven Trucial States together with Qatar and Bahrain.2
Six emirates declared the UAE on 2 December 1971, and Ras Al Khaimah joined on 10 February 1972, after its ruler received assurances that the federal government would keep claiming the Greater and Lesser Tunb islands seized by Iran.2,4
National Day on 2 December has been called Eid Al Etihad, the celebration of the Union, since 2024. 2026 marks the 55th.5
The founding rulers
| Emirate | Ruler at the Union | Ruled from |
|---|---|---|
| Abu Dhabi | Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan | 1966 |
| Dubai | Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum | 1958 |
| Sharjah | Sheikh Khalid bin Mohammed Al Qasimi | 1965 |
| Ajman | Sheikh Rashid bin Humaid Al Nuaimi | 1928 |
| Umm Al Quwain | Sheikh Ahmed bin Rashid Al Mualla | 1929 |
| Ras Al Khaimah | Sheikh Saqr bin Mohammed Al Qasimi | 1948 |
| Fujairah | Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad Al Sharqi | About 1937 |
Source: UAE Government Portal: Founders of the Union2
Presidents of the UAE
| President | In office |
|---|---|
| Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan | 1971 to 2004 |
| Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan | 2004 to 13 May 2022 |
| Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan | Since 14 May 2022 |
Source: UAE Government Portal: Fact sheet3
The Constitution sets up five federal authorities: the Supreme Council of the rulers, the President and Vice-President, the Cabinet, the Federal National Council and the federal judiciary.3
Frequently Asked Questions
When was the UAE founded?
Six emirates declared the United Arab Emirates on 2 December 1971, now celebrated as National Day. Ras Al Khaimah joined on 10 February 1972.
Who was the first President of the UAE?
Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, Ruler of Abu Dhabi, was President from 1971 until 2004.
Sources
- UAE Government Portal: History
- UAE Government Portal: Founders of the Union
- UAE Government Portal: Fact sheet
- UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs: History of the UAE (Arabic)
- Khaleej Times: UAE National Day holidays 2026 (October 2026)
Facts checked 21 October 2026. Prepared by Invest-Emirates.ae for general information.