The European Union timeline
After World War II, the European people(s) wanted to be united and not do war again. In the early 1950s, there were only six member-countries, France, Italy, Luxembourg, Belgium, Italy, the Netherlands and (West) Germany . At that time the Union was called "the European Coal and Steel Community "(ECSC). Their aim was to unite people and join their economy .  |
| Jean Monnet |
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| Robert Schuman |
In 1950, the French-German politician Robert Schuman presented his proposal of a united Europe, known as the "Schuman Declaration" (on May 9th) which is considered to be the beginning of what is now the European Union.
ECSC + EURATOM + EEC
In 1957, the 6 countries signed the Treaties of Rome which gave birth to the European Atomic Energy Community (Euratom) and the European Economic Community (EEC)
In 1957, the 6 countries signed the Treaties of Rome which gave birth to the European Atomic Energy Community (Euratom) and the European Economic Community (EEC)
the E.C.
In 1967, the Merger Treaty was signed in Brussels. It created a single set of institutions for the three communities, which were collectively referred to as the European Communities, or commonly just as the European Community.
In 1985, the Schengen Agreement led the way toward the creation of open borders without passport controls between most member states and some non-member states.In 1986, the European flag began to be used by the Community and the Single European Act was signed.
In 2002, euro notes and coins replaced national currencies in 12 of the member states. Since then, the eurozone has increased to encompass seventeen countries.
the EU
In December 2009, the Lisbon Treaty entered into force and reformed many aspects of the EU. In particular it changed the legal structure of the European Union (the E.U.).
In 1973 Denmark, Ireland and the United Kingdom joined the 6 founding countries
In 1981 Greece
In 1986 Spain and Portugal
In1990, East Germany joined West Germany adding the former East Germany to the union. This increased the area and population of the union, but not the number of member states.
In 1995, Sweden, Austria and Finland joined.
In 2004, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia , Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia and Slovenia joined.
In January 2007, Romania and Bulgaria became the EU's newest members.
2011 : 27 member countries + 5 official applicant countries : Croatia , Iceland, Macedonia, Montenegro and Turkey.
THE EUROPEAN SYMBOLS :
the EU motto = « In varietate concordia » (= united in diversity)
the EU flag : a circle made of 12 stars which epitomize harmony & friendship
the EU motto = « In varietate concordia » (= united in diversity)
the EU flag : a circle made of 12 stars which epitomize harmony & friendship
ODE TO JOY = the European anthem is based on the prelude to "The Ode to Joy", 4th movement of Ludwig van Beethoven's symphony no. 9. Due to the large number of languages in Europe, it is an instrumental version only. The anthem was launched on Europe Day in May 1972.
May 9th = Europe day (1950 the Schuman Decleration)
The euro has become a symbol since it replaced 12 national currencies in 2002
the €euro = the European currency and its symbol
The euro has become a symbol since it replaced 12 national currencies in 2002
