His late Royal Highness Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan said, “Future generations will be living in a world that is very different from that to which we are accustomed. It is essential that we prepare ourselves and our children for that new world.” This ‘new world’, or modern Abu Dhabi, has undergone such transformation in the past 40 years that it is almost unrecognisable from the Abu Dhabi of 1971. We’ve outlined 40 events that have taken place in the Abu Dhabi over the last four decades.

1971	2nd Dec 1971. Britain withdraws from the Gulf. The United Arab Emirates is born, with HH Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan as the leader. The federation includes the emirates of Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain and Fujairah. Ras Al Khaimah joins in 1972. The Federal National Council (FNC) is formed as part of the UAE’s governing structure to represent the Emirati people and the UAE joins the Arab League. The Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) is founded.
1972	140 schools open in the UAE. A dramatic increase in the development of education takes place. Public education facilities expand and uniforms, books, equipment and transportation are provided free. The Corniche is built, as well as the Hilton and Al Mina Port. The locals start to move from their traditional barasti huts to newly constructed housing. The people are compensated by the government. Sheikh Zayed gives each local from Abu Dhabi three pieces of land. The first should be used to build a home in a residential area. The second should be used to build a commercial building. The third is an industrial site for a project of some sort.
1973	The UAE launches a single currency, the UAE dirham.
1975	Maqta Bridge. Up to now, getting across the narrow crossing from Abu Dhabi island to the mainland has been subject to sea tides, making it dangerous.Construction begins on a bridge over this crossing. Oil production increases. The October War sparks a series of increases in the price of oil which results in dramatically increased revenues accruing for the government. Demand increases for accommodation in Abu Dhabi. Work on the first wave of tower blocks in the Tourist Club area is well under way.
1980	Immigration increases and the UAE now provides employment for people from many countries, especially from the Indian Subcontinent. Zayed Sports City Stadium is completed and it has the capacity to accomodate 65,000 people. The Dubai-Abu Dhabi Highway E11 is completed.
1981	The Gulf Cooperation Council (GEC) forms with the UAE as a founding member.
1982	Abu Dhabi International Airport opens.
1983	The UAE Red Crescent Authority establishes to play a role in charitable and humanitarian work locally and internationally.
1985	Abu Dhabi city becomes increasingly built up. A new law is passed; expatriates can undertake a business activity only if they have a UAE national partner or partners who will hold not less than 51 percent of the company ownership. The aim is to increase the number of locally owned businesses.
1988	The first police college opens in Abu Dhabi.
1990	Football fever grips Abu Dhabi as the UAE qualifies for the finals of the 1990 FIFA World Cup in Italy. Hussain Ghuloum Abbas Ali is selected by FIFA as one of the best 100 players.
1995	Internet is introduced in Abu Dhabi.
1996	The Abu Dhabi Music & Arts Foundation (ADMAF), a not-for-profit organisation, established to advance arts, education, culture and creativity in Abu Dhabi.
1998	Zayed University is founded for United Arab Emirate National women in 1998, with campuses in Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
1999	The Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank, the world’s largest Islamic banking institution, is officially opened in 1999. The Abu Dhabi Falcon Hospital (ADFH) opens, becoming the first public institution in the world providing comprehensive veterinary health care services exclusively for falcons.
2001	122 metres - The height of the world’s tallest flagpole, erected to commemorate the UAE’s 30th National Day.
2003	Etihad Airways launches.
2004	A nation mourns. Sheikh Zayed passes away. He is succeeded by his eldest son, His Highness Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan. General Sheikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Al Nahyan is appointed Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi. Sheikha Lubna Al Qasimi is appointed the UAE’s first female minister. Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA) announces the development of Saadiyat Island into a leisure, residential, business and tourist centre.
2006	The 52.2 million dirham number plate. Abu Dhabi makes it into Guinness World Records as the most expensive number plate ever sold. Saeed Abdel Ghaffar Khouri buys car license plate No.1 at an auction at the Emirate’s Palace Hotel.
2007	Sheikh Zayed Mosque opens after 12 years of construction. Decor includes a 35 tonne carpet produced by 1,300 carpet makers, 96 marble columns and millions of Swarovski crystals embedded in chandeliers. Work begins on Ferrari World, the world's first Ferrari theme park.
2008	Prince Charles opens the inaugural World Future Energy Summit at ADNEC. Hot off the press! The first edition of Abu Dhabi Week is published.
2009	“Abu Dhabi - Can you handle this?” Beyonce thrills fans in her first gig in the UAE and Sebastian Vettel wins Abu Dhabi’s first Grand Prix race.
2010	Abu Dhabi welcomes Britain's Queen Elizabeth II, who makes her first state visit in more than 30 years. “One room with a sea-view and a gold bar please.” - A vending machine is installed at the Emirates Palace Hotel that dispenses pure gold bars. CAPITAL GATE is certified as the ‘World’s Furthest Leaning Manmade Tower,’ by Guinness World Records. It leans 18 degrees westwards - more than four times that of the Leaning Tower of Pisa. Also the Aldar Headquarters is named as the world's first circular skyscraper.
2011	Abu Dhabi Week celebrates third birthday! Happy 40th National Day Abu Dhabi!