Etihad Museum was officially inaugurated on UAE’s 45th National Day.

During the opening of the museum, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, vice president and prime minister of the UAE and ruler of Dubai, and His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, crown prince of Abu Dhabi and deputy supreme commander of the UAE Armed Forces, recreated a picture from 1971 standing in front of the flag with the leaders of the other emirates.

Residents and tourists will have access to the museum from 7th January 2017

The museum is currently welcoming senior officials and VIP delegations only. Once open to the public, it will operate from 10am to 8pm. There will be educational exhibits and programmes that show the chronological events of the agreement signing and Union declaration in 1971.

Recommended

The Dubai Ruler Called Out 3 Government Managers For Breaching ‘Open Door’ PolicyThe UAE President Is Calling For Rain Prayer On SaturdayThe UAE Revealed Rules For Eid Al Etihad Celebrations

Etihad Museum Open to the Public Starting 7th January#Dubai #UAE https://t.co/tL3VqRiLA7

— Dubai Media Office (@DXBMediaOffice) December 8, 2016

There’s a Dubai Public Library branch within the museum

Visitors will be able to read three thousand different titles on the UAE’s national and social history. There are pictures, movies and documents of the country between the years 1968 to 1974.

The museum complex extends across the Union House building

The Union House has a 123-meter flag pole, a parking building and outdoor parking spots. 

Here’s some interesting stuff…

The museum’s new permanent pavilion is inspired by the shape of a manuscript, with seven columns which emulate the pens used to sign the 1971 Union agreement, while the museum’s identity is inspired from the colours of the UAE flag, the Union’s identity and the seven emirates.

Read: 11 Times Sheikh Mohammed Had Us Going ‘Awww’.