1947
As a young man, Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan had a strong passion for falconry, riding Arabian thoroughbred camels and horses, and archery. Here he is pictured on a hunting trip.
1969
Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan was chosen as the new ruler of Abu Dhabi in August 1966. He was an immediate advocate for closer cooperation between all Gulf states. Here he is pictured in Abu Dhabi with Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, the father of modern Dubai.
1970
Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan with his sons: Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan; Sheikh Hamdan Bin Zayed Al Nahyan; and Sheikh Hazza Bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
1971
The discovery of oil in the late 1950s transformed Abu Dhabi. It enabled Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan to begin the reforms in education, healthcare and public housing that would create the Abu Dhabi we know today. Here he is accompanied by his son, Sheikh Hamdan Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, touring an exhibition by the Knowledge Department of student exhibits from Jaber bin Hayyan School in Abu Dhabi.
1971
Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan and Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum in Abu Dhabi in September 1971, three months before the foundation of the UAE.
1971
On 1 December 1971, Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan and Sir Geoffrey Arthur met, in the presence of Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Ahmed Bin Khalifa Al Suwaidi and Mohammed Al Habroush, to sign documents that terminated the treaty between Great Britain and Abu Dhabi – paving the way for the birth of the United Arab Emirates the next day.
1972
On 20 July, Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan inaugurated the meeting of the National Council of the UAE in the presence of Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum and Ahmed Khalifa Al Suwaidi.
1974
As the Father of the Nation, Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan was devoted to his people. He was also a family man. Here he is pictured with sons Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Sheikh Hamdan Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Sheikh Hazza Bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Sheikh Tahnoon Bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
1980
Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan on a visit to the Holy Quran Memorization Center in Liwa on 10 July 1980.
1988
Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan greets Emirati university students in Koubbeh Palace in the Arab Republic of Egypt on 16 March 1988.
1990
Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan is pictured here in Abu Dhabi with fellow rulers of the Emirates and Sheikhs, among UAE national volunteers in the Armed Forces.
