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
February 3–5.
 * 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
 * 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