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United Gulf Sheikdoms Celebrate National Day

On this day on april 9th 1989, the 12 sheikdoms that form the country united to form the United Gulf Sheikdoms. The area was originally part of the Ottoman Empire then became a French protectorate in the 20th century and was a patchwork of sheikdoms with the most important being Doha and Manama as well as 10 other on the arabian peninsula. In 1971, they gained independance seperately from france and most of them quickly became rich thanks to their oill reserves. By 1989, pan arabism was rising in the Sheikdoms and the Emir of what was now Qatar, Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, had a vision of uniting the sheikdoms and managed to do so after negotiations. He is now regarded as the founding father of the country. Today also marks another important date. Last year, at the same date, the current ruler shocked the country by winning a lawsuit against the government preventing it to elect a new dynasty to rule the country and becoming the first female reigning monarch in the country, which greatly empowered women and sent shockwaves through the arab world. Aisha Al Thani now rules the country hoping to improve the lives of her people. While the country is rich, its economy is mostly reliant on Oil and Natural Gas exports. To celebrate, a large military parade was held in Doha followed by shows and massive fireworks.