Trivia 2 - UAE Timeline

Years in History of The United Arab Emirates:

1760	The Baniyas Tribe finds fresh water on the island of Abu Dhabi and decides to settle there.
1790	The Old Fort is built (also known as the White Fort).
1820	Britain and local rulers sign a treaty to combat piracy along the Gulf coast. From this, and later agreements, the area becomes known as the Trucial Coast.
1892	Deal between the Trucial States and Britain gives Britain control over foreign affairs and each emirate control over internal affairs.
1948	Sheikh Saqr Bin Muhammad Al Qasimi becomes Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah.
1950	Oil is discovered.
1952	The seven emirates form a Trucial Council.
1958	Oil production begins on Das Island.
1961	Abu Dhabi’s first paved road is constructed.
1962	Oil is exported for the first time from Abu Dhabi.
1966	Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan takes over as Ruler of Abu Dhabi and Dubai struck oil.
1968	As independence looms, Bahrain and Qatar join the Trucial States. Differences cause the union to crumble in 1971.
1971	Britain withdraws from the Gulf. The UAE joins the Arab League. Iran occupies the islands of Greater and Lesser Tunb and Abu Musa.
1972	Ras Al Khaimah joins the federation. Sheikh Sultan Bin Muhammad Al Qasimi becomes Ruler of Sharjah. Federal National Council (FNC) is created; it is a 40 member consultative body appointed by the seven rulers.
1973	The UAE launches a single currency, the UAE dirham.
1974	Sheikh Hamad Bin Muhammad Bin Hamad Al Sharqi becomes Ruler of Fujairah.
1981	UAE is a founding member of the Gulf Cooperation Council; its first summit is held in Abu Dhabi. Sheikh Rashid Bin Ahmad Al Mualla becomes Ruler of Umm Al Quwain. Sheikh Humaid Bin Rashid Al Nuaymi becomes Ruler of Ajman.
1986	Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan is re-elected as UAE president for his fourth term. Abu Dhabi Duty Free opens.
1987	Attempted coup in Sharjah. Sheikh Sultan Bin Muhammad Al Qasimi abdicates in favour of his brother after admitting financial mismanagement but is reinstated by the Supreme Council of Rulers.
1990	Sheikh Rashid Bin Said Al Maktoum dies and is succeeded by his son Sheikh Maktoum Bin Rashid Al Maktoum as ruler of Dubai and UAE vice-president.
1991	UAE forces join the allies against Iraq after the invasion of Kuwait.
1992	Iran angers the UAE by saying visitors to Abu Musa and Greater and Lesser Tunb must have Iranian visas.
1996	Iran fuels the dispute over Abu Musa and Greater and Lesser Tunb by building an airport on Abu Musa and a power station on Greater Tunb.
1998	UAE restores diplomatic relations with Iraq; they were severed at the outbreak of the 1991 Gulf War.
1999	Gulf Cooperation Council backs the UAE in its dispute with Iran over Greater and Lesser Tunb and Abu Musa.
2003	Etihad, Abu Dhabi’s official airline, is launched.
2004	Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan dies and is succeeded as ruler of the UAE by his son, Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan. Emirates Palace Hotel opens in Abu Dhabi.
2005	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.
2006	Sheikh Maktoum Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE PM and vice-president and ruler of Dubai, dies during a visit to Australia. He is succeeded by his brother, Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum. Political storm in the US forces state-owned Dubai Ports World to relinquish control of terminals at six major American ports. Critics of the ports deal feared an increased risk of terrorist attack, saying the UAE was home to two of the 9/11 hijackers. Economic changes announced. They include bringing the days of the official weekend into line with Western nations, introducing laws to reduce the dependence on foreign workers and allowing labourers to form trade unions. First-ever national elections are held. A small number of hand-picked voters choose half of the members of the Federal National Council.
2007	UAE unveils a national development strategy aimed at making it a world leader. Dubai and Qatar become the two biggest shareholders of the London Stock Exchange, the world's third largest stock exchange.