UAE National Day

On December 2 – UAE National Day! This year, let’s remember the historic relevance of the occasion and honor those who were the masterminds behind forming the UAE. Let’s take a look at the significance of the date.

The United Arab Emirates was not always the powerful nation it is today. In fact, the country was distributed into rival tribal groups, occupying different areas. In 1820, Britain entered the picture and offered protection to the tribes in return for some control over the land. Desperate for peace, the numerous tribes accepted this offer and let Britain be in charge of settling their disputes. In 1968, Britain removed itself from the picture after it started experiencing financial losses.

After Britain’s exit from the scenario, the rulers of Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Ajman, Al-Ain, Sharjah, and Umm al-Quwain decided to unite. On December 2, 1971, the emirates announced their independence from Britain and became the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Later on, Ras Al Khaimah – the seventh emirate – also joined this union. Do you know what the best part is? This merger and their freedom from the colonial rule were achieved without any violence!

To mark the unity of the seven emirates and the declaration of the United Arab Emirates, the flag of UAE as we know it today was raised, and the first president of UAE was selected — Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. Sheikh Zayed was the Emir of Abu Dhabi and was the richest amongst the seven emirates. Today, UAE is recognized as a middle power and an influential nation with a flourishing economy, oil reserves, ample tourists, and some of the tallest buildings in the world. However, all the citizens of the UAE acknowledge that the power they possess today exists only because the seven emirates decided to unite in 1971.