Timeline for Chapters 4, 6 and 7

Sheikh Zayed was born in 1918 and became Ruler of Dubai in 1966. In 1971 he became the first President of the United Arab Emirates which he led until his death in 2004.

In 1968 the British Prime Minister Harold Macmillan announced the withdrawal of all British forces East of the Suez Canal. This opened the way to plans for the creation of the United Arab Emirates as a wholly independent and united country. Sheikh Zayed moved quickly to make agreements with all of the other Emirates to join in a federation that ultimately led to the declaration of the United Arab Emirates on 2nd December 1971

The estimated population of the UAE in 1970 was 232,000 (page 146 of textbook)

Sheikh Zayed orders the establishment of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company in 1971

On 2nd December 1971 the United Arab Emirates was declared. We celebrate this day every year as the National Day holiday.

The first university in the UAE, the United Arab Emirates University is opened in Al Ain in 1977

The long war between Iran and Iraq lasts for nearly 8 years.

The six-member states of Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates join together the form the Gulf Cooperation Council.

Emirates Airline is established as airports throughout the UAE are modernized and expanded.