July 18 is Union Pledge Day in the United Arab Emirates, a semi-official national holiday declared by the President of the UAE Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan in honor of the creation of the UAE and its establishment principles.
In 2024, the President announced the Union Pledge Day and wrote that on July 18, 1971, the founding father Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan and other rulers signed the Document of Union and the UAE Constitution that led to the unification of the country on December 2, 1971. It is a historic day in the history of the UAE as this is when the seven emirates; Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Ras Al Khaimah, Umm Al Quwain and Fujairah to form the beginning of the journey of one nation.
Today, the UAE is celebrating the 54 th anniversary of unity. Union Pledge Day is not yet a national holiday but it is celebrated with hoisting of flags on government buildings, schools and other privately owned institutions. Activities that would encourage national pride and unity are staged throughout the nation.
The fourth national event is Union Pledge Day as described by Emirates News Agency (WAM) and it is followed by:
Eid Al Etihad (National Day 2- December)
The Flag Day (November 3)
Day of commemoration (December 1)
Eid Al Etihad day and commemoration day are the days that are regarded as a public holiday but flag day and union pledge day are not.
The Flag Day celebrates the ascendency of Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan in 2004 and the Commemoration Day remembers the fallen heroes such as Salem Suhail Khamis who became the first Emirati to die in service in 1971.
With the help of the Union Pledge Day, people are reminded about the unity of the UAE, its vision and its allegiance to the past and to the future.
