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The European Union Timeline

  • ECSC

    ECSC

    European Coal and Steel Community created under the Treaty of Paris by Belgium, France, Luxembourg, Italy, Germany, and the Netherlands.
  • EEC

    EEC

    European Economic Community (EEC) created under the Treaty of Rome.
  • New Members

    New Members

    Denmark, Ireland, and the United Kingdom join the European Union.
  • Arab-Israeli War

    Arab-Israeli War

    Energy crisis and economic problems in Europe due to the Arab-Israeli War.
  • European Parliament

    European Parliament

    Citizens given the right to elect the members of the European Parliament.
  • EMS

    EMS

    European Monetary System is established as a precursor to the modern economic union.
  • Greece

    Greece

    Greece becomes part of the European Union.
  • Single European Act

    Single European Act

    Single European Act is signed; Spain and Portugal join the European Union.
  • Berlin Wall Fall

    Berlin Wall Fall

    Berlin Wal is brought down; the border between East and West Germany opens after 28 years.
  • German Reunification

    German Reunification

    East and West Germany are unified.
  • Single Market

    Single Market

    Single Market completed, joined by the "four freedoms" (movement of goods, services, people, and money).
  • Schengen Agreement

    Schengen Agreement

    Schengen Agreement abolishes internal borders between Belgium, France, Germany, Luxembourg, Portugal, Spain, and the Netherlands.
  • The Euro

    The Euro

    The euro is introduced and adopted as the single currency of the European Union.
  • More Euros

    More Euros

    National currencies are replaced by euro notes and coins (billions of them).
  • More Members

    More Members

    Ten Eastern European countries become members of the European Union.
  • Schengen Area

    Schengen Area

    Schengen Area enlarged to include Eastern European countries.
  • Economic Crisis

    Economic Crisis

    European Union affected gravely by the global financial crisis.
  • Treaty of Lisbon

    Treaty of Lisbon

    Treaty of Lisbon begins action to ensure a more democratic, united, efficient, and transparent European Union.
  • Peace Prize

    Peace Prize

    The European Union is awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.
  • BREXIT

    BREXIT

    British citizens vote upon the exit of the United Kingdom from the European Union.