The Union House (‘Dar Al Etihad’, in Arabic) is the Meeting Room where, on December 2, 1971, the rulers of the seven emirates of Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaima and Fujairah, gathered at this very location to sign the 'Declaration of Union' that resulted in the formation of the United Arab Emirates. Restored to its original 1970s appearance, the Union House was a part of the summer residence of the late Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum, which was then known as 'Dar Al Dafiya' or Guest Residence.