National Day (Arabic: يوم استقلال الإمارات العربية المتحدة) is celebrated on the 2nd of December each year in the United Arab Emirates. It marks the UAE's formal independence from the United Kingdom and the eventual unification of the seven emirates in 1971 which combined to form the modern-day country.
On 2 December 1971, all emirates except for Ras Al Khaima, united as a country at the suggestion of H.H. Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, H.H. Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, and his other brothers, the rulers of other emirates. Ras Al Khaima joined later as a part of the country. Qatar and Bahrain were also suggested to be a part of the country but they declined the idea.
People celebrate this day with flags and drawings on their faces. They also go on streets and celebrate this day with decorated cars. The locals also do a "Maseera", in which people go on the road and drive around the Emirate in celebration with music, poems, and many, many flags.
Many Schools in the UAE celebrate National Day by holding an event in school where kids will dress up in the Cultural "thoub" and "kandoora" and perform the "youlah" and dance the cultural dance.