# Timeline of Abu Dhabi

The following is a timeline of the history of the city of Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

## Prior to 20th century

* 1761 - Drinking water found on Abu Dhabi Island; settlement begins.
* 1790s - Abu Dhabi Island becomes "capital of the Bani Yas tribal confederation."
* 1818 - Shakhbut bin Dhiyab Al Nahyan and Tahnun bin Shakhbut Al Nahyan become rulers of Abu Dhabi.
* 1855 - Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan becomes ruler of Abu Dhabi.

## 20th century

* 1928 - Shakhbut bin Sultan Al Nahyan becomes ruler of Abu Dhabi.
* 1939 - Abu Dhabi Petroleum Company established.
* 1948 - Dubai-Abu Dhabi border dispute.
* 1952 - Population: 4,000 in sheikdom (estimate).
* 1955 - The city's first airfield opens
* 1958 - Oil discovered in Abu Dhabi.
* 1962 - Oil exportation begins from offshore Das Island.
* 1963 - The Trucial rulers sign an agreement to issue a decree to abolish slavery.
* 1966 - Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan becomes ruler of Abu Dhabi.
* 1968 - Population: 46,375.
* 1969 - Al Bateen Airport begins operating on Abu Dhabi Island.
* 1971
** December: Abu Dhabi becomes part of the newly formed United Arab Emirates.
** Abu Dhabi National Oil Company established.
* 1972 - Al-Ittihad newspaper in publication.
* 1974 - Al Fajr newspaper begins publication.
* 1980
** E 11 road (Dubai-Abu Dhabi) completed.
** Central Bank of the United Arab Emirates headquartered in Abu Dhabi.
** Population: 242,975.
* 1981 - Regional Gulf Cooperation Council meets in Abu Dhabi.
* 1982 - Zayed International Airport (then called Abu Dhabi International Airport) established on the mainland.
* 1991 - July: "Bank of Credit and Commerce International collapses. Abu Dhabi's ruling family owns a 77.4% share."
* 1993 - International Defence Exhibition begins.
* 1994 - Baynunah Hilton Tower built.
* 2000 - Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange established.

## 21st century

* 2001 - Abu Dhabi Mall and Marina Mall in business.
* 2002 - Population: 527,000.
* 2003 - July: Etihad Airways founded
* 2004 - Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan becomes ruler of Abu Dhabi.
* 2005 - Emirates Palace hotel in business.
* 2007
** Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque built.
** Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre opens.
* 2008 - Abu Dhabi Bus service begins.
* 2009
** Abu Dhabi Grand Prix car race begins.
** Construction begins on Abu Dhabi National Oil Company headquarters and Saadiyat Island's Louvre Abu Dhabi.
* 2010
** Sky Tower built.
** Ferrari World amusement park in business on Yas Island.
* 2011
** Sheikh Zayed Bridge, Capital Gate, and Etihad Towers built.
** Guggenheim Abu Dhabi construction begins on Saadiyat Island.
* 2012 - The Landmark built (tallest in city).
* 2014
** Yas Mall in business.
** New York University Saadiyat Island campus built.
* 2019 - Pope Francis becomes the first Pope ever to visit the Arabian Peninsula and the UAE, specifically Abu Dhabi, from
February 3–5.
* 2020 - On August 31, at around 10:15 a.m., a gas explosion occurred in a restaurant in a building along Rashid Bin Saeed Street (Airport Road). At least three persons were killed and several others were injured. A misalignment in the gas container fittings following refuelling was found to have caused the accident.
* 2022
** 2022 Abu Dhabi attack
** Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan becomes ruler of Abu Dhabi.
* 2023
** Airport Terminal A is open for public