Six Trucial States joined together to form the United Arab Emirates on 2nd December 1971.
Ras Al Khaimah did not join the Union until 10th February 1972
Britain relinquished control of Trucial States affairs on 1st December 1971
2nd December each year is when UAE celebrates both National Day, recognising Independence in 1968, and Union of the Trucial States
Anniversary of signing of UAE's 1971 Declaration of Union of six Trucial States is a significant event in UAE's Calendar. The day is celebrated widely. Yet, in 1971, this historic signing was low key with little publicity or public celebration. In fact, it seemed almost a private event inside Sheikh Rashid's Beach Palace. The public were excluded with only invited guests witnessing this historic event.
No local English Language newspapers or television in 1971 to report or record the event. There are few published photographs, no published eyewitness accounts and no Films or Videos in the public domain where the signing can be seen by all.
2nd December 1971 was a Thursday - a working day back then.
2nd December 1971 wasn't declared a Public Holiday so everyone worked as usual. Signing was scheduled for Thursday afternoon at Jumeirah Guest Palace, sometimes called the Beach Palace. News of the signing spread by word of mouth as much as by public announcements. Media had yet to developwe in 1971.
I worked at Port Rashid near to the Beach Palace. Around 3pm I drove to the Beach Palace, parked on the sand and joined a small crowd waiting outside the Beach Palace. We saw cars arriving and driving through the Beach Palace Gates. We couldn't see who was in the cars. Then cars stopped arriving. Nothing else was happening.
The crowd continued to wait. Then cars began driving out of the Beach Palace. First was a very large black Cadillac with one of its rear windows open just a fraction. A hand pushed out through this barely open window and slowly waved up and down. Cadillac's windows were black so impossible to see who the hand belonged to. We waved back. Everyone assumed it was UAE's new President Sheikh Zayed.
Next Sheikh Rashid's usual old white Mercedes Benz drove out. The crush of people travelling in his car made it impossible to pick out Sheikh Rashid. That was nothing unusual. His car was always full of people.
Eventually the steady flow of dignatories' cars stopped. There was little to keep the small crowd interested. The crowd dispersed and went home. I did the same.
With no public announcements or celebrations plus lack of any street decorations meant the Signing of UAE's Declaration of Union was a low key event, almost a non event from a spectator's viewpoint.
There was no indication this Signing on 2nd December 1971 was the start of UAE's growth and a significant stage in UAE's history!
Eyewitness Account from outside Jumeirah Guest Palace
