At the European Council in Milan in 1985, the heads of state and government decided to establish May 9 as “Europe Day”.
This date was chosen in remembrance of the declaration by French Foreign Minister Robert Schuman who, at the instigation of Jean Monnet, then High Commissioner of the Plan, proposed on May 9, 1950, to the European countries that had fought each other in 1914-18 and 1939-45 to jointly manage their coal and steel resources in an organization open to other European countries that wished to join.
This proposal, known as the “Schuman Declaration”, is considered the birth certificate of the European Union.
Six countries responded to the call and created, through the Treaty of Paris on April 18, 1951, the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC): Germany, Belgium, France, Italy, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands.
During the same European Council, the countries of the European Union adopted other symbols of their unity: a flag with twelve stars and a European anthem.
Since then, Europe has gradually expanded and has also seen the creation of a single European currency, the euro, and a motto: “United in diversity”.
Europe Day is an opportunity for activities and festivities that bring Europe closer to its citizens and its peoples to one another.
