UAE History

  • Trucial Coast

    Britain and local rulers signed a treaty to combat piracy along the Gulf coast. From this, and later agreements, the area becomes known as the Trucial Coast.
  • Foreign Affairs

    Deal between the Trucial States and Britain gives Britain control over foreign affairs and each emirate control over internal affairs.
  • Rulers

    Sheikh Saqr Bin-Muhammad al-Qasimi becomes Ruler of Ras al-Khaymah.
  • Oil

    Oil is discovered in the UAE
  • Trucial Council

    The seven emirates form a Trucial Council.
  • Exported Oil

    Oil is exported for the first time from Abu Dhabi.
  • New Rulers

    Sheikh Zayed Bin-Sultan Al Nuhayyan takes over as Ruler of Abu Dhabi.
  • Independence

    After independence from Britain, Abu Dhabi, Ajman, Dubai, Fujayrah, Sharjah, and Umm al-Qaywayn come together as the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Sheikh Zayed Bin-Sultan Al Nuhayyan presides over the federation.
  • Re-election

    Sheikh Zayed Bin-Sultan Al Nuhayyan is re-elected as UAE president - his fourth term.
  • Vice president

    Sheikh Rashid Bin-Said Al Maktum dies and is succeeded by his son Sheikh Maktum Bin-Rashid Al Maktum as ruler of Dubai and UAE vice-president. 1991 - UAE f
  • Allies

    UAE forces join the allies against Iraq after the invasion of Kuwait.
  • Death

    UAE forces join the allies against Iraq after the invasion of Kuwait.
  • New plans

    Sheikh Khalifa announces plans for the UAE's first elections. Half of the members of the consultative Federal National Council will be elected by a limited number of citizens.
  • Elections

    First-ever national elections. A small number of hand-picked voters choose half of the members of the Federal National Council - an advisory body.
  • Stock Exchange

    Dubai and Qatar become the two biggest shareholders of the London Stock Exchange, the world's third largest stock exchange.
  • Burj khalifa

    Burj Khalifa tower opens in Dubai as the world's tallest building and man-made structure.
  • Relations

    The UAE establishes diplomatic relations with Israel.