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End of world War ll
Finaliza la Segunda Guerra Mundial en Europa. Millones de personas de todo el mundo salen a las calles para celebrar el Día de la Victoria en Europa, que marca el final del conflicto militar más letal de la historia con 60 millones de muertos. -
The six founding states
Schuman's proposal begins to take shape when six countries(Germany, Belgium, France,Italy, Luxdmburg and the Netherlands) sign the treaty that creates a European institution to pool and manage the production of coal and steel. These countries continually decide what to do with coal and steel:in this way, no one can build weapons without the others knowing -
Treaty of Rome
Building on the success of the coal and steel treaty, Belgium, Germany, France, Italy, Luxembourg and the Netherlands expand cooperation to other economic sectors. They sign the Treaties of Rome, creating the European Atomic Energy Community (Euratom), and the European Economic Community or ‘common market’, allowing people, goods and services to move freely across borders. -
First EU enlargement
Denmark, Ireland and the United Kingdom join the European Communities, marking the first enlargement. Together with Belgium, Germany, France, Italy, Luxembourg and the Netherlands, they bring the membership to nine. Following a referendum, Norway decides not to join. -
First European elections
European citizens can directly elect their representatives in the European Parliament. Before the election by direct suffrage, the members of the European Parliament were appointed by the national parliaments of the Member States. Since then, European elections have been held every 5 years. In all EU countries, the minimum age to exercise the right to vote is 18 years, except in Austria and Malta (16 years) and Greece (17 years). -
Accession of Greece to the European Communities
Greece becomes the tenth member state of the European Communities, which today are known as the European Union. -
Greenland leaves the European Communities
Between 1973 and 1985, Greenland was part of the European Communities (today called the European Union). Following a referendum held in 1982, it withdrew from the EU but remains associated with it as an Overseas Country and Territory. -
Spain and Portugal join the European Communities
Spain and Portugal join the European Communities, bringing the total number of members to twelve. -
EU Ecolabel
The EU Ecolabel is created to promote environmentally friendly consumer products. -
European Medicines Agency
The European Medicines Agency is created, which guarantees the safety and efficacy of medicines for human and veterinary use in the EU. -
Treaty of Amsterdam
In the capital of the Netherlands the Treaty of Amsterdam is signed, which prepares the European Union for the arrival of future member states. From this moment on, it will only be possible to appoint a new President ofthe Commission with the approval of the European Parliament. -
Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union
People's rights in the EU were established at different times, in different ways and in different ways. For this reason, the EU decided to include all of them in a single document: the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union. Signed by EU leaders on December 7, 2000, it guarantees a number of rights to EU citizens and residents. These include respect for privacy and family life, protection of personal data, the right to marry and found a family, and the right to education -
The Euro
The banknotes and coins become legal tender currency in 12 EU countries. Its printing, minting and distribution represent an important logistical operation. More than 80 billion coins are produced. Euro coins have a common side, indicating their value, and another with the design chosen by each country. Using Finnish, Spanish or any other euro coins to buy a subway ticket in Berlin is something that seems normal to all of us. Currently, 19 countries use the euro. -
Rapid Alert System for safer products
The Rapid Alert System to protect European consumers from dangerous products becomes operational. Stringent safety standards apply to toys, electrical appliances, cosmetics and pharmaceuticals, and strict rules ensure that unsafe products are recalled from the market. -
Bulgaria and Romania join the EU
Bulgaria and Romania join the European Union, bringing its membership to 27. Irish becomes the 21st official language and Bulgarian and Romanian bring the number to 23. -
European Commission’s new Visitor Centre
The European Commission’s new Visitor Centre opens to the public in the heart of Brussels. Visitors can sit at the table where the College of Commissioners used to meet and travel back in European history through interactive touch screens. Every year, the centre hosts over 50 000 people and helps them to better understand the role of the European Commission and how it can help them. -
Double terror attack in Brussels
A double terrorist attack in Brussels leaves more than 30 people dead and over 300 injured. Further terrorist attacks take place in the following months in a number of European cities, including Nice, Berlin, Barcelona, Manchester, and London. The EU puts in place a series of measures to deal with all aspects of the terrorist threat. -
European Capitals 2020
Lisbon (Portugal), Rijeka (Croatia), Galway (Ireland), Malaga (Spain) and Gothenburg (Sweden) are magnificent European cities showing special titles in 2020. Lisbon, green capital, constitutes a model of urban sustainability Rijeka and Galway, capitals of culture, are champions of European cultural diversity Malaga and Gothenburg, European capitals of smart tourism, are at the forefront of accessibility and digitization of tourism.