Birth of a nation: revisit the UAE's first National Day
Images of the birth of the UAE on Dec 2, 1971 show the roots of one of the Arab world's leading lights
The rulers of the emirates after the announcement of the Union in Dubai on Dec 2, 1971 [Image: National Center for Documentation and Research (NCDR), UAE] The late HH Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, and to his right side HH Sheikh Rashed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum and Sheikh Khalid Bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, 1971 (Image: NCDR) Meeting of the Supreme Council of the Union after the accession of Ras Al Khaimah in Feb 1972 (Image: NCDR) The late HH Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan checks the design of the UAE flag (Image: NCDR) The late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, Dec 02, 1971 (Image: NCDR) The late Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan (Dec 02, 1971) (Image: NCDR) HE Ahmed Khalifa Al Suwaidi reads the public clarification of the emergence of the UAE union, July 18, 1971 (Image: NCDR) The late HH Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan and his brothers (Image: NCDR)