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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. PD: Toda la información está sacada de la página de la historia del EU -
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. -
They sign the Treaties of Rome, creating the European Atomic Energy Community (Euratom), and the European Economic Community -
A meeting between the Taoiseach of Ireland (head of government - Sean Lemass) and the Prime Minister of Northern Ireland (Terence O’Neill) occurred for the first time since the partition of Ireland in 1922. -
Denmark, Ireland and the United Kingdom join the European Communities, marking the first enlargement. -
For the first time, European citizens can vote for who they want to represent them in the European Parliament. Before the introduction of direct elections, MEPs were appointed by the national parliaments of each Member State. -
Greece becomes the 10th country to join the European Communities, now known as the European Union. -
Between 1973 and 1985, Greenland was part of the European Communities (today called the European Union). Following a referendum held in 1982 -
Spain and Portugal join the European Communities, bringing the total number of members to twelve. -
The European Commission sets up a ‘European Humanitarian Aid Office’. 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. -
Austria, Finland and Sweden join the EU, increasing its membership to 15. -
Belgian Luc Luycx, a coin designer working for the Royal Mint of Belgium, wins a competition to design the common side of the future euro coin. -
The Treaty of Amsterdam is signed in the capital of the Netherlands. It prepares the European Union for the arrival of future Member States. -
The EU is thinking a new coin to change the olds and to have all the same coin
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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. -
Large parts of eastern and western Europe are united in peace and democracy as 10 new countries join the EU. The addition of Cyprus, Czechia, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia and Slovenia brings the total number of Member States to 25. -
Bulgaria and Romania join the European Union, bringing its membership to 27. -
A major financial crisis hits the world economy, triggering a recession. The initial spark was problems with mortgage loans in the US, and several European banks also experience difficulties.
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The European Parliament in Brussels opens its new visitor centre — the Parlamentarium — which rapidly becomes a popular tourist attraction. -
Croatia becomes the 28th member of the European Union. The EU now has 24 official languages. -
Lithuania becomes the 19th EU Member State to adopt the euro. Some 340 million Europeans now share the same currency. -
In a referendum in the United Kingdom, a majority of 52 % vote for the country to leave the European Union. -
The EU announces plans for six countries in the Western Balkans to potentially join the EU after 2025, with Montenegro and Serbia likely to be the first. -
New data protection rules mean that your personal information is protected — no matter where it is sent, processed or stored, even outside the EU.
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The euro, Europe’s common currency, turns 20. As of 2019 it is used by over 340 million citizens in 19 EU countries and is the second most important currency in the world. -
The European Parliament approves a new trade agreement between the EU and Vietnam. It is one of the most ambitious agreements between the EU and a developing country and also includes measures to protect the climate as well as rules on workers’ and human rights. -
Having been an EU Member State since 1973, the United Kingdom leaves the European Union, following the 2016 referendum result. The so-called “Brexit agreement”, jointly approved by the European and the British Parliaments, now provides for a negotiation period that will redefine the relationship between the EU and the UK in many areas, including trade, education, defence and employment, with a substantial impact on both European and British citizens. -
The United Kingdom’s Brexit transition period is officially completed and it fully leaves the European Union after 47 years of membership. The UK no longer has the obligations, rights and benefits that it had as an EU Member State.