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End of World War
End of World War II
08 May 1945
World War II ends in Europe. Millions of people around the world take to the streets to celebrate ‘Victory in Europe Day’, marking the end of the deadliest military conflict in history in which 60 million people died.
United Nations
24 October 1945
After the devastation of World War II, the United Nations is created with a mission to maintain international peace and security. Today 193 countries are members (including all 27 EU Member States) -
The six founding countries
Schuman’s vision starts to take shape when six countries — Belgium, Germany, France, Italy, Luxembourg and the Netherlands — sign a treaty to create a European institution that would pool and manage coal and steel production. With these countries deciding together what to do with Europe’s coal and steel, no single nation can build weapons without the other nations knowing about it. -
Treaty of Rome
30% ( 47 palabras / 146 ) Today it is an important driver of job creation, promoting better education and more modern public administrations, and helps to improve living standards for children and their families.The ‘Space Age’ begins when the Soviet Union launches Sputnik 1, a satellite the size of a basketball, into orbit -
First EU enlargement
Denmark, Ireland and the United Kingdom join the European Communities, marking the first enlargement. Following a referendum, Norway decides not to joinEuropean Community leaders adopt the first Environment Action Programme based on the idea that prevention is better than cure and that there should be a price on pollution. Since then, climate change and the environment have been very high on the EU’s political agenda. -
First European Elections
The European elections have been held every 5 years since then. Find out who else has been, and is today, the President of the European Parliament. -
Greece joins the European Communities
Greece becomes the 10th country to join the European Communities, now known as the European Union. -
Greenland leaves the European Communities
Between 1973 and 1985, Greenland was part of the European Communities . It is signed on 14 June 1985 by Belgium, Germany, France, Luxembourg and the Netherlands. Did you know that 1.7 million Europeans commute between EU countries every day for work?German tennis player Boris Becker becomes the youngest player to win the men’s singles Wimbledon title at the age of 17.Team Europe wins the Ryder Cup golf tournament for the first time, marking the first loss for the United States in 28 years. -
Spain and Portugal join the European Communities
Spain and Portugal join the European Communities, bringing the total number of members to twelve.The European flag is raised for the first time in front of the Berlaymont building — the headquarters of the European Commission in Brussels — to the music of the European anthem. The number of stars never changes. The flag flies above many parliaments, municipal buildings, parks and monuments all over Europe -
EU Ecolabel
The EU is one of the world’s largest aid providers. It provides relief assistance for food, shelter, education, protection and healthcare in many countries around the world. Stretching over 18 % of the EU’s land area and almost 6 % of its marine territory, it is the largest coordinated network of protected areas in the world. -
Austria, Finland and Sweden join the EU
It ensures that medicines used for people and animals in the EU are safe and effective.The European Parliament appoints Jacob Söderman from Finland as the first Ombudsman of the European Union to deal with complaints about maladministration in the EU institutions, bodies, offices and agencies. -
Treaty of Amsterdam
The Treaty of Amsterdam is signed in the capital of the Netherlands. It prepares the European Union for the arrival of future Member States. From now on, a new Commission president can only be appointed with the approval of the European Parliament. -
United in diversity
After a competition to find a motto for Europe, which attracted 80 000 entries from young Europeans, a Grand Jury, chaired by former European Commission President Jacques Delors, selects the winner: ‘United in diversity’. For this reason, the EU decided to include them all in a single document: the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union. These include respect for privacy and family life, protection of personal data, the right to marry -
The euro
Euro notes and coins become the legal currency in 12 EU countries. Printing, minting and distributing them is a major logistical operation. More than 80 billion coins are involved. While euro coins have a common side giving the value, each country has its own design on the other side. Using a Finnish (or any other) euro coin to buy a Madrid metro ticket is something we soon take for granted. 19 countries currently use the euro.
