Historical Timeline

3000 BC

Southern Mesopotamia is starved for copper and Magan, an area roughly corresponding to today's UAE and northern Oman, steps in to cater to the demand.

1833

The principal economic activities of fishing, pearling and trade begin with the arrival of some 800 members of the Bani Yas tribe, including the ruling Al Maktoum family from the desert interior.

1841

With this exodus, the Bani Yas tribe extends its influence from Bur Dubai to Deira.

1902

Reeling under Iranian port taxes, Persian merchants move to Dubai.

1903

British presence is established with the arrival of British/Indian Steam Navigation company steamships at Dubai.

1929

The flourishing pearl trade established by the Bani Yas is hit by the Wall Street crash. To make matters worse, the introduction of the Japanese cultured pearl sends the trade into a downward spiral.

1932

With the arrival of British Imperial Airways at Sharjah, the Trucial States becomes a stopover for international airlines. Barely five years down the line, flying boats are landing on Dubai Creek.

1946

Dubai's first bank opens.

1951

The quest for oil in Dubai nudges the British to establish the Trucial Oman Scouts to keep order and support prospecting in the interior.

1956

Dubai establishes a police force.

1958

A descendent of the Al Maktoum family and the 'father of modern Dubai,' Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, becomes ruler of the emirate.

1962

In honor of the ruler, Al Maktoum Bridge (the city's first) is built over the Dubai Creek after dredging operations are completed.

1965

The Trucial States Development Council is formed by the British.

1966

Oil is discovered in Dubai and exports begin within three years.

1968

Formal data gathering on population dynamics begins and the first census records a population of 180,000 in the Trucial States.

1971

A federation of seven emirates with Abu Dhabi ruler Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan as president and Sheikh Rashid as vice president called the United Arab Emirates is formed. Dubai international Airport opens.

1979

Sheikh Rashid becomes UAE prime minister.

1981

The Gulf Co-operation Council, an economic, political and military grouping of the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Oman and Bahrain is formed on May 26.1983 On advice from the Irish government, the Dubai Duty Free is established at Dubai International Airport.

1985

Dubai-based airline Emirates is established.

1988

A first for sporting events is achieved with the inauguration of the Gulf's first championship lawn golf course at The Emirates Golf Club, Dubai.

1990

Sheikh Maktoum Bin Rashid Al Maktoum succeeds his father, Sheikh Rashid. Iraq invades Kuwait in August.

1991

Change comes to Dubai in the form of the 40-day Gulf war. As the city is an important link in the supply chain to the front, business booms and doubles in size in under five years.

1994

Sheikh Aktoum's brother, Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, is appointed Crown Prince of Dubai.

1996

The Nadd Al Shiba Racecourse plays host to the world's richest horse race with the Dubai World Cup. The inaugural Dubai Shopping Festival starts an annual tradition.

1998

The UAE produces 2.3 million barrels a day of crude oil. The private sector emerges as the economy's new driving force.

1999

Dubai International Airport becomes the sixth-fastest growing airport in the world in terms of traffic.

2002