Puneet Varma (Editor)

Timeline of Dubai

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

Contents

Prior to 20th century

  • 1787 - Al Fahidi Fort built (approximate date).
  • 1833
  • Dubai taken by "Al bu Falasah clansmen of the Bani Yas," becoming independent of Abu Dhabi Emirate.
  • Ubaid bin Saeed and Maktoum bin Buti Al Maktoum are its first (joint) rulers.
  • 1836 Ubaid bin Saeed dies. Maktoum bin Buti becomes sole ruler.
  • 1852 - Saeed bin Shakhbut Al Maktoum becomes ruler of Dubai.
  • 1859 - Hushur bin Maktoum becomes ruler of Dubai.
  • 1865 - Indian Banians begin to arrive in Dubai.
  • 1886 - Rashid I Maktoum becomes ruler of Dubai.
  • 1892 - "Rulers of Trucial Oman sign exclusive treaty of protection with United Kingdom."
  • 1894 - Maktoum II bin Hushur becomes ruler of Dubai.
  • 1896 - Saeed Al Maktoum House built.

    • 20th century

  • 1903
  • Dubai becomes "the main port of the Trucial Coast."
  • Al-Ahmadiyyah school established.
  • 1904 - British-India Steam Navigation Company begins regular service to Dubai.
  • 1906 - Butti bin Sohail becomes ruler of Dubai.
  • 1912 - Saeed II bin Maktoum becomes ruler of Dubai.
  • 1929
  • 15–18 April: Mani bin Rashid becomes ruler of Dubai, briefly.
  • "Collapse of the pearling industry."
  • 1934 - British air base established.
  • 1938 - 'Majlis' economic/political "reform movement" occurs.
  • 1939 - Majlis al Tujjar (merchant committee) established.
  • 1941 - Dubai Post Office opened.
  • 1946 - October: Imperial Bank of Iran (to become British Bank of the Middle East, then HSBC) opened in Dubai.
  • 1948 - Abu Dhabi-Dubai border dispute.
  • 1949
  • 15 July: Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, current ruler of Dubai, born in Shindaga.
  • 1950 - "Petroleum exploration" begins in Dubai area.
  • 1952 - Iranian consulate established.
  • 1953 - National Front (anti-British political group) formed.
  • 1956
  • Jashanmal shop in business.
  • 1 June: Dubai Police Force founded in Naif Fort.
  • 1957 - Dubai Municipality established.
  • 1958
  • 9 September: Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum becomes ruler of Dubai when his father Sheikh Saeed dies.
  • 1959
  • Dubai Creek dredged.
  • Dubai Airport opens.
  • DNATA (Dubai National Air Travel Agency) established.
  • 1961 - 7 April: The MV Dara explodes and sinks off the shore of Dubai, killing 238 people.
  • 1963
  • 23 May: Al Maktoum Bridge opens.
  • 1965
  • 15 May: Asphalt runway opens at Dubai International Airport.
  • 1966 - Fateh Oil Field discovered offshore in vicinity of Dubai.
  • 1967 - Dubai Zoo opens.
  • 1968
  • 18 February: Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid agree to Union at Argoub El Sedirah.
  • 1969 - Dubai TV begins broadcasting.
  • 1971
  • 10 July: The Trucial States Council of rulers agrees on Union.
  • 2 December: Six Trucial States, including Dubai, form the United Arab Emirates.
  • Dubai Country Club and Dubai Museum established.
  • 1972
  • January: A coup in neighbouring Sharjah kills ruler Sheikh Khaled and is put down by Sheikh Mohammed.
  • February: Ras Al Khaimah joins the UAE.
  • 5 October: Port Rashid is inaugurated.
  • 1973
  • Dubai drops Qatari Riyal and adopts use of Dirham currency.
  • 1975
  • Al Shindagha Tunnel and Safa Park open.
  • Dubai Islamic Bank established.
  • 5 May: Sheikh Rashid decrees establishment of Dubai Aluminium - Dubal.
  • Arabtec Construction in business.
  • 1976 - Al Garhoud Bridge opens.
  • 1977 - Dubai 33 television begins broadcasting.
  • 1978
  • 16 April: English-language Khaleej Times newspaper begins publication.
  • September: Rival Gulf News begins publication.
  • Dubai World Trade Centre built.
  • Oil production at Falah oil field begins.
  • 1979
  • 26 February: Queen Elizabeth II inaugurates Dubai Desalination Plant.
  • Sheikh Mohammed marries Sheikha Hind.
  • Oil production at Rashid oil field begins.
  • Dubal Aluminium Company commences production.
  • Dubai International Convention Centre built.
  • Port of Jebel Ali inaugurated.
  • Gulf News begins publication.
  • 1980
  • Dubai Municipal Council created; Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum becomes chairman.
  • E 11 road (Abu Dhabi-Dubai) completed.
  • Al Bayan newspaper begins publication.
  • 1983
  • 17 May: Sheikha Latifa, the wife of ruler Sheikh Rashid, dies.
  • Dubai Drydocks open.
  • 20 December: Dubai Duty Free opens.
  • 1984
  • Oil production at onshore field Margham begins.
  • Ruler Sheikh Rashid develops health problems; power shifts to his sons.
  • 1985
  • 9 January: Decree establishing Jebel Ali Free Zone issued.
  • March: Emirates Airline established.
  • 25 October: Emirates makes inaugural flight to Karachi.
  • Dubai Medical College and UAE Contractors' Association[2] established.
  • 1989
  • Dubai Desert Classic golf contest begins.
  • 29 January: First Dubai Airshow inaugurated.
  • Majlis Gallery opens.
  • 1990
  • 7 October: Dubai's ruler, Sheikh Rashid, dies.
  • 8 October: Maktoum bin Rashid Al Maktoum becomes ruler of Dubai and Prime Minister of the UAE.
  • 1991
  • Juma al Majid Centre for Culture and Heritage established.[3]
  • Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club opens.
  • May: Dubai Ports Authority formed in merger of JAFZA and Port Rashid authorities.
  • 1992
  • Majid Al Futtaim Group headquartered in Dubai.
  • 24 December: Godolphin's first horse Cutwater runs, - and wins - at Nad Al Sheba.
  • 1995
  • 3 January: Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid named crown prince of Dubai.
  • American University in Dubai established.
  • 1996
  • 16 February: Dubai Shopping Festival launched.
  • 27 March: Dubai World Cup horse race − the world's richest − begins. Its first winner is American dirt track legend Cigar.
  • 1997
  • World's first camel-llama cross-breeding accomplished.
  • Chicago Beach Hotel demolished.
  • Jumeirah (hotel chain) headquartered in Dubai.
  • 1998 - Grand Mosque rebuilt.
  • Zayed University founded.
  • 1999
  • International Center for Biosaline Agriculture headquartered in Dubai.
  • December: Burj Al Arab hotel inaugurated.
  • Emirates National Oil Company refinery begins operating.
  • 29 October: Dubai Internet City announced.
  • Dubai's real estate market is opened to non-GCC nationals for the first time.

    • 2000s

  • 2000
  • 26 March: Dubai Financial Market founded.
  • 28 May: American University of Dubai inaugurated.
  • Dubai Airport new terminal built.
  • Nakheel Properties headquartered in Dubai.
  • Al Barsha area development and Dubai Marathon begin.
  • Dubai Internet City opens.
  • 4 November: Dubai Media City inaugurated.
  • 2001
  • 1 May Artificial archipelagos the Palm Jumeirah and Palm Jebel Ali announced.
  • June: Construction begins on Palm Jumeirah.
  • 2002
  • 9 January: Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve and eco-resort Al Maha founded.
  • 9 February: Million square feed academic free zone Dubai Knowledge Village announced.
  • 16 February: Dubai International Financial Centre inaugurated.
  • 6 November: $1.8 billion Dubai Healthcare City free economic zone announced.
  • Middle East Broadcasting Center headquartered in Dubai.
  • Artificial archipelago Palm Jebel Ali construction begins.
  • Population: 1,089,000.
  • The Dubai Multi Commodities Center is established.
  • 2003
  • September: International Monetary Fund meets in Dubai.
  • Al Arabiya television and CNBC Arabiya television begin broadcasting.
  • Executive Council of Dubai and Dubai Media Incorporated established.
  • Dubai Knowledge Village opens.
  • First Dubai Tennis Championships.
  • June: International Media Production Zone (IMPZ) launched.
  • 5 May: The World (archipelago) project announced.
  • Dubai Festival City construction begins.
  • 12 May: Dubai Maritime City project announced.
  • 16 June: Emirates places $19 billion biggest order in aviation history for 71 wide-bodied planes.
  • Dubai Humanitarian City established. (Later to become International Humanitarian City)
  • 7days newspaper begins publication.
  • 2004
  • Dubai Autodrome opens.
  • Dubai One television begins broadcasting.
  • Dubai Silicon Oasis is inaugurated.
  • Planned second airport to be located in Jebel Ali confirmed.
  • September: Foundation stone of world's tallest tower, Burj Khalifa, laid.
  • October: Dubai Holding investment company established.
  • December: Dubai International Film Festival inaugurated
  • December Business Bay development project announced.
  • December: Dubai School of Government launched (To become Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government).
  • 2005
  • 27 January: Dubai holds its first FEI World Endurance Riding Championship, Dubai International Endurance City opens.
  • 7 March: Permanent Committee for Labour Affairs established.
  • Emirates Today newspaper begins publication.
  • RAK Petroleum headquartered in Dubai.
  • Mall of the Emirates (with Ski Dubai) opens.
  • Dubai RTA (Roads and Transport Authority) formed.
  • Dubai Gold & Commodities Exchange inaugurated.
  • DP World founded from merger of Dubai Ports Authority and Dubai Ports International
  • September: Construction labor strike.
  • October: Dubai police introduces hotline for workers to report labour issues.
  • November: $8 billion Jebel Ali Airport City project renamed Dubai World Central.
  • 2006
  • January: Maktoum bin Rashid Al Maktoum dies in Australia's Gold Coast.
  • January: Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum becomes ruler of Dubai and Vice President of the UAE.
  • February: Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum becomes Prime Minister of the UAE.
  • February: $15 billion Dubai Aerospace Enterprise launched.
  • February: Dubai International Academic City development begins.
  • March: Dubai port operator DP World acquires P&O for $7 billion.
  • March: US house committee votes 62-2 to block DP World from operating US ports. DP World divests them.
  • 21 March: Construction labor demonstration.
  • 16 May: Construction labor strike.
  • Emirates Green Building Council headquartered in Dubai.[4]
  • Dubai World investment company established.
  • Population: 1,354,980.
  • Dubai's education regulator, the Knowledge and Human Development Agency (KHDA) founded.
  • December: Women only pink taxis go into service.
  • 2007
  • February: New UAE telco 'Du' launches.
  • June: Dubai's Salik (Meaning 'clear') road toll comes into effect.
  • June: Dubai Real Estate Corporation founded.
  • July: 'Temporary' crossing, the Floating Bridge opens.
  • August: Real Estate regulator Real Estate Regulatory Agency (RERA) founded.
  • Business Bay Crossing, originally named the Ras Al Khor Bridge, opens.
  • Gulf Art Fair begins.[5][6]
  • Sheikh Mohammed announces the Dubai Strategic Plan 2015, a five-point long-term strategy for the city.
  • Dubai World Cup prize money raised to $10 million.
  • Dubai Studio City inaugurated.
  • Dubai International City built.
  • September: Dubai Cares charity founded. The initial fund-raising drive raises over Dhs1 billion.
  • 2008
  • March: Dubai Culture & Arts Authority formed.
  • March: New Maktoum Bridge opened.
  • 26 March: 2008 Dubai explosion in Al Quoz.
  • March: New low cost carrier Fly Dubai announced.
  • Dubai Sports City opens.
  • Tashkeel (art entity) established.
  • Airport Dubai International Terminal 3 built.
  • 1,500 room Atlantis the Palm hotel & resort launched with 1,000 fireworks.
  • 2009
  • New Year celebrations and the opening celebration of the Dubai Shopping Festival cancelled in solidarity with Gaza.
  • 29 March: Chechen Yamadayev murdered in Dubai.
  • Dubai Mall, the world's largest shopping mall, inaugurated.
  • 1 June: FlyDubai commences operations.
  • September: Red Line (Dubai Metro) begins operating.
  • Almas Tower built.
  • Dubai International Cricket Stadium opens.
  • Dubai World restructures.

    • 2010s

  • 2010
  • 4 January: Burj Khalifa skyscraper opens (tallest in world).
  • 19 January: Palestinian Mahmoud Al-Mabhouh assassinated.
  • 28 January: Meydan Racecourse opens.
  • 4 February: New oilfield east of Rashid field announced, named Jalila.
  • 1 July: Al Maktoum International Airport begins operations.
  • 2011
  • Green Line (Dubai Metro) begins operating Palm Deira station (Dubai Metro) opens.
  • Salsali Private Museum founded.
  • 11 October: Emirates NBD takes over Dubai Bank.
  • 2012
  • Princess Tower and JW Marriott Marquis Dubai built.
  • 21 March: Dubai Modern Art Museum & Opera House District projects announced.
  • 12 June: Dubai formally launches its bid for World Expo 2020.
  • 30 November: Restoration of 'Union House', where the UAE treaty was signed in 1971, commences.
  • 2013
  • 13 February: $1.5bn Bluewaters Island project announced, to include world's largest Ferris Wheel.
  • 4 March: Sheikh Mohammed establishes the Emirates Literature Foundation, to include the Dubai International Writers' Centre.
  • Al Barsha Police Station built.
  • The Mine (gallery) opens.
  • Population: 2,214,00.
  • 27 November: Dubai and the UAE win the bid for World Expo 2020.
  • 2014
  • February: Dubai launches $1mn 'Drones for Good' award.
  • 5 July: World's largest mall and indoor theme park, the 48 million square foot Mall of the World project announced.
  • 16 July: The establishment of the UAE Space Agency and the launch of a Mars mission is announced.
  • 8 September: Dubai launches the Mohammed bin Rashid Centre for Government innovation.
  • 27 October: Dubai announces $1.2 billion investment in innovation through free zone operator TECOM.
  • 17 December: Dubai Plan 2021 development strategy is announced.
  • Opera Grand, the first tower in the Dubai Opera House District, opens.
  • 2015
  • Bicycle regulations issued.
  • 6 May: UAE Mars probe named Hope.

    • References

    Timeline of Dubai Wikipedia
    (Text) CC BY-SA


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