The story of the United Arab Emirates, milestone by milestone — sourced from official government records.
A timeline of the United Arab Emirates from 1958–2026 — the milestones featured in the Our UAE iPhone app, in English and Arabic. Each entry carries the exact quote from the official UAE government record it was taken from, with a link to the source.
The timeline runs from the 1958 discovery of oil in Abu Dhabi and the founding of the union on 2 December 1971 under Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, through Emirates airline, Burj Al Arab and Burj Khalifa, the Ministry of Tolerance, Louvre Abu Dhabi, the first Emirati in space, the Hope Probe's arrival at Mars, Expo 2020 Dubai, the Museum of the Future and COP28.
Oil was discovered in Abu Dhabi, transforming the future of the region and laying the foundation for the UAE's growth.
اكتُشف النفط في أبوظبي، مما غيّر مستقبل المنطقة ووضع الأساس لنمو الإمارات.
oil was discovered in the United Arab Emirates in 1958, at the Murban Bab oil field— official UAE government source
On December 2, 1971, the UAE was founded under the leadership of Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, uniting six emirates into one nation. Ras Al Khaimah joined in 1972.
في 2 ديسمبر 1971، تأسست دولة الإمارات بقيادة الشيخ زايد بن سلطان آل نهيان، موحداً ست إمارات في دولة واحدة. انضمت رأس الخيمة في 1972.
He served this position since the formation of the UAE on 2 December 1971 — Ras Al Khaimah acceded on 10 February 1972— official UAE government source
Emirates airline was established in Dubai, growing to become one of the world's largest and most recognized carriers.
تأسست طيران الإمارات في دبي، لتصبح واحدة من أكبر وأشهر شركات الطيران في العالم.
We first took-off from Dubai, UAE, in 1985 with just two aircraft— official UAE government source
The iconic Burj Al Arab opened in Dubai, becoming a global symbol of luxury and architectural ambition.
افتُتح برج العرب الأيقوني في دبي، ليصبح رمزاً عالمياً للفخامة والطموح المعماري.
Since its unveiling in 1999, the hotel has become inseparable from Dubai's global image— official UAE government source
Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the Father of the Nation, passed away after building a modern nation founded on unity, tolerance, and vision.
رحل الشيخ زايد بن سلطان آل نهيان، مؤسس الدولة، بعد أن بنى دولة حديثة قائمة على الوحدة والتسامح والرؤية.
Sheikh Zayed passed away in 2004, leaving behind a legacy as the Father of the Nation— official UAE government source
Abu Dhabi launched Masdar, the clean-energy initiative behind Masdar City, one of the world's most sustainable urban developments.
أطلقت أبوظبي مبادرة مصدر للطاقة النظيفة، التي أنشأت لاحقاً مدينة مصدر، إحدى أكثر المدن استدامة في العالم.
Masdar initiative was launched in 2006 as a wholly owned subsidiary of Mubadala— official UAE government source
The world's tallest building opened in Dubai at 828 meters, a testament to the UAE's engineering ambition and global vision.
افتُتح أطول مبنى في العالم في دبي بارتفاع 828 متراً، شاهداً على طموح الإمارات الهندسي ورؤيتها العالمية.
Burj Khalifa is the tallest building in the world, standing at 828m high.— official UAE government source
The UAE established its Space Agency in 2014 to organise, supervise and manage the nation's space sector.
أنشأت الإمارات وكالة الفضاء عام 2014 لتنظيم قطاع الفضاء في الدولة والإشراف عليه وإدارته.
The UAE established the UAE Space Agency under Federal Law by Decree No. 1 of 2014.— official UAE government source
The UAE became one of the first countries to establish a Ministry of Tolerance, reinforcing its commitment to coexistence and respect.
أصبحت الإمارات من أوائل الدول التي أنشأت وزارة للتسامح، مؤكدة التزامها بالتعايش والاحترام.
The post of the Minister of State for Tolerance was first introduced in 2016— official UAE government source
The Louvre Abu Dhabi museum opened on Saadiyat Island, bridging cultures and civilizations through art and dialogue.
افتُتح متحف اللوفر أبوظبي في جزيرة السعديات، جامعاً بين الثقافات والحضارات عبر الفن والحوار.
Louvre Abu Dhabi opened on November 8th, 2017 in Saadiyat Island— official UAE government source
Hazzaa Al Mansoori became the first Emirati astronaut to reach the International Space Station, inspiring a nation.
أصبح هزاع المنصوري أول رائد فضاء إماراتي يصل إلى محطة الفضاء الدولية.
Hazzaa AlMansoori is the first Emirati to launch to space — the first Arab nation to send an astronaut to the ISS— official UAE government source
The Emirates Mars Mission 'Hope Probe' launched, making the UAE the first Arab nation to reach Mars orbit.
انطلق مسبار الأمل، مما جعل الإمارات أول دولة عربية تصل إلى مدار المريخ.
The UAE made history on Tuesday evening, 9 February as the first Arab nation, and the fifth in the world, to reach Mars— official UAE government source
The UAE signed the Abraham Accords, a historic peace agreement promoting peace, diplomacy, and cooperation in the region.
وقّعت الإمارات اتفاقيات أبراهام، اتفاقية سلام تاريخية تعزز السلام والدبلوماسية.
the UAE and Israel signed a historic normalization agreement in September 2020— official UAE government source
Expo 2020 Dubai welcomed 192 countries and over 24 million visits, showcasing innovation, opportunity, and the UAE's role as a global connector.
استقبل إكسبو 2020 دبي 192 دولة وأكثر من 24 مليون زيارة، مبرزاً الابتكار والفرص ودور الإمارات كحلقة وصل عالمية.
192 participating countries — 24.1 million visits during its six-month run— official UAE government source
The UAE celebrated 50 years since its founding, reflecting on five decades of transformation and looking forward to the next fifty.
احتفلت الإمارات بمرور 50 عاماً على تأسيسها، مستذكرة خمسة عقود من التحول ومتطلعة إلى الخمسين القادمة.
The projects are expected to aid the UAE to embark on an ambitious growth path in the 50 years since its Golden Jubilee— official UAE government source
The Museum of the Future opened in Dubai, recognized as one of the most beautiful buildings in the world and a beacon of innovation.
افتُتح متحف المستقبل في دبي، معترفاً به كأحد أجمل المباني في العالم، ومنارة للابتكار.
Nine years in the making, the Museum of the Future is already recognised as the most beautiful building on earth.— official UAE government source
Sultan Al Neyadi completed the longest Arab space mission — six months aboard the International Space Station.
أتم سلطان النيادي أطول مهمة فضائية عربية — ستة أشهر على متن محطة الفضاء الدولية.
the longest Arab space mission in history, which lasted all of six months— official UAE government source
The UAE hosted COP28 in Dubai, bringing 198 nations together to address climate change and committing to sustainable solutions.
استضافت الإمارات مؤتمر COP28 في دبي، جامعةً 198 دولة لمواجهة تغيّر المناخ والالتزام بحلول مستدامة.
over 70,000 guests from 198 countries in the UAE— official UAE government source
President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed declared 2025 the Year of Community under the slogan 'Hand in Hand', celebrating the bonds between all who call the UAE home.
أعلن رئيس الدولة الشيخ محمد بن زايد عام 2025 عاماً للمجتمع تحت شعار 'يداً بيد'، احتفاءً بالروابط بين جميع من يعتبرون الإمارات وطناً.
President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan has declared 2025 as the Year of Community under the slogan 'Hand in Hand'— official UAE government source
His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid called on all citizens and residents to raise the UAE flag, sparking a nationwide wave of unity and pride.
دعا صاحب السمو الشيخ محمد بن راشد جميع المواطنين والمقيمين لرفع علم الإمارات، مما أشعل موجة وطنية من الوحدة والفخر.
has called on citizens and residents to raise the UAE flag across homes, institutions and buildings— official UAE government source