Today is the 44th anniversary of the day that six of the country's leaders agreed to form the federation that would become the United Arab Emirates, and the day of its formal independence from the United Kingdom, celebrated as National Day.

The Emirates have grown incredibly over the last four decades – becoming a true powerhouse in aviation, business, arts and culture. The country has become synonymous with diversity as people from around the world have flocked to it to find greater opportunities.

But today, for National Day, StepFeed wants to pay honor to Emiratis themselves, who are the lynchpin of the Emirates' success.

Here are 44 Emiratis who embody the spirit that has made this nation great:

1. Amal Al Qubaisi ( President of Federal National Council )

2. Majid Al Ansari ( Film director )

3. Lubna Khalid al-Qasimi ( Minister of International Cooperation and Development )

4. Ahmad Mohammad Hasher Al Maktoum ( Olympic Gold medalist for shooting )

5. Noura Al Kaabi ( CEO of twofour54 )

6. Adeeb Al Balushi ( Child inventor )

7. Hoor Al Qasimi ( President of Sharjah Art Foundation )

8. Omar Abdulrahman ( Footballer )

9. Mona Al Marri ( Director of Dubai Media Office )

10. Ali Mostafa ( Filmmaker)

11. Mariam Al Mansouri ( Fighter pilot )

12. Khalid Al Qasimi ( Fashion designer )

13. Nayla Al Khaja ( Film director )

14. Khaldoon Al Mubarak ( Chairman Manchester City FC/Businessman )

15. Mona al Mansouri ( Fashion designer )

16. Omeir Saeed ( Red Bull Athlete – Wakeboarding )

17. Muna Harib Al Muhairi ( Philanthropist )

18. Marwan Al Ali ( Photographer )

19. Salma Hareb ( CEO of JAFZA )

20. Abdallah Ahmed al-Ghurair ( Businessman )

21. Sarah Shuhail ( NGO for sex trafficking )

22. Majid Al Futtaim ( Businessman )

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23. Muna Al Gurg ( Businesswoman )

24. Saif Al Ghurair ( Businessman )

25. Khawla Al Mehairi ( Chairwoman of the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority’s Women’s Committee )

26. Abdulla Al Futtaim ( Businessman )

27.  Dr. Nawal Al Hosany ( Director of Sustainability at Masdar and Director of the Zayed Future Energy Prize )

28. Sultan Sooud Al-Qassemi ( Writer/Commentator )

29. Laila Al Muhairi ( Assistant Director General for Strategy and International Affairs at the General Civil Aviation Authority )

30. Omar Al Busaidy ( Entrepreneur/Author)

31. Layla Abdul Aziz Al Redha ( endurance rider and trainer )

32. Khalid Al Ameri ( Writer/Commentator )

33. Ahlam Ali Al Shamsi ( Singer )

34. Mubarak Al Suwaidi (Founder/CEO at Suwaidish)

35. Ruwaida al-Mahrouqi ( Singer/Director )

36. Shareef Al-Romaithi ( Pilot/Aerospace Engineer )

37. Shamma Hamdan ( Singer)

38. Hussain Al Jassmi (Singer)

39. Reem Al Marzouqi ( Engineer/Inventor )

40. Salim Dahman and Abdullah Dahman aka " Desert Heat " ( Rap duo )

41. Sumayyah Al Suwaidi ( Fashion designer/Visual Artist )

42. Abdul-Qader Al Rais ( Artist )

43. Fatma Almulla  ( Designer )

44. The UAE martyrs ( National servants who died for their country )