timeline-OKOKOK 19/09/05 12:46 Page 1

A bombed European city Europe on the move

The historical roots of the European Union lie in the
Second World War. Europeans are determined to
prevent such killing and destruction ever happening
again. Soon after the war, Europe is split into East and
West as the 40-year-long Cold War begins. West
European nations create the Council of Europe in
1949. It is a first step towards cooperation between
them, but six countries want to go further.
legacy of the Second World War.
The story of the European Union (EU)
18 April 1951 Government leaders of the six
Based on the Schuman plan, six countries sign 25 March 1957 sign the Treaty of Rome.
You can learn more about the EU at the Europa
a treaty to run their heavy industries coal and Building on the success of the Coal and Steel Treaty, the website: europa.eu.int
steel under a common management. In this way, six countries expand cooperation to other economic
EUROPE DIRECT answers your questions about the
none can on its own make the weapons of war to sectors. They sign the Treaty of Rome, creating the
turn against the other, as in the past. The six are
Follow the timeline as it spirals down from top left to bottom right. European Economic Community (EEC), or common
EU: call 00 800 6 7 8 9 10 11 or e-mail via
europa.eu.int/europedirect
Germany, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Belgium Coal and steel industries Yellow panels describe EU events. market. The idea is for people, goods and services to
and Luxembourg. start to work together Blue panels describe more general events in Europe. move freely across borders.
across borders.

1950 1951 1952 1953 1954 1955 1956 1957 1958 1959 1960
In Hungary, people rise against The Soviet Union beats the United States in In the 1950s, most
Swiss architect Le Corbusier marks a new the Soviet-backed regime in 1956. Later, blue jeans appear,
trend with the opening (1952) of his self- the space race by launching the first man- children have little
In November, Soviet tanks appear made space satellite, Sputnik 1, in 1957. pocket money. They mainly for boys. Girls still
contained vertical city (Unit dhabitation) on the streets of Budapest to put wear full skirts and ankle
in Marseilles, France. The stark appearance Sputnik 1 orbits the earth at a height of wear the same kind of
down the protests. 800 km. In 1961, the Soviet Union wins again clothes as their parents. socks. One of the most
of this concrete complex provokes the popular crazes of the
nickname The new brutalism. with the first cosmonaut, Yuri Gagarin, whose But their taste in music
spacecraft is just 2.6m in diameter. changes with the start decade is the hula hoop.
9 May 1950 French Foreign Minister Robert Schuman
presents a plan for deeper cooperation. Later, every
Le Corbusier in front of a Unit dhabitation.
Hungarians pull down a statue of Stalin in their
capital, Budapest, during the 1956 protests.
Sputnik 1 in space. Cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin.
of rock and roll.
Clothes and accessories of the 1950s.
1961
9 May is celebrated as Europe Day.

The Beatles: Ringo Starr

24 April 1972 A Soviet tank on drums and, from left Beatlemania sweeps the In August 1961, the
in Prague, Soviet tanks thunder into Prague in August 1968 In the 1960s young people affirm their identity. Their ideas often differ from to right, Paul McCartney, world in 1963. The Beatles, communist authorities in East
The EUs first plan for a single currency dates from 1970. 1968. to crush the short-lived Prague spring of those of adults and a true youth culture emerges. The pop industry booms, George Harrison and the first pop supergroup, Germany build a wall across
To maintain monetary stability, EU members decide to allow fledgling democracy in Czechoslovakia. With over helped by television, transistor radios and LPs (long-playing records). Teenagers John Lennon.
attract huge crowds of Berlin to prevent their citizens
their currencies to fluctuate against each other only within 600 000 troops occupying the country, the make fashion statements: miniskirts and high boots for girls, and long hair and teenagers wherever they from escaping to a freer life
narrow limits. This exchange rate mechanism (ERM), created Czechs and Slovaks are powerless. One student, pointed shoes for boys. This is a time when EU countries experience appear. They stimulate a in the West. A few people
in 1972, is a first step towards the introduction of the euro, Jan Palach, burns himself to death in protest. growth and rising prosperity the golden sixties. cultural revolution, widening still escape; others are shot
30 years later. the generation gap. The Brandenburg Gate, a symbolic Cold War by guards in the attempt.
landmark, seen from the western side of the Berlin Wall.

1971 1970 1969 1968 1967 1966 1965 1964 1963 1962
The Americans reassert
their supremacy in 1 July 1968 20 July 1963 30 July 1962
space by landing a Rioting by students and workers in France
man on the moon in The six remove customs duties on goods imported in May 1968 shakes the very foundations The EU signs its first big international agreement The EU starts its common agricultural policy giving the
July 1969. from each other, allowing free cross-border trade of the State. Milder student protests occur a deal to help 18 former colonies in Africa. By 2005, it countries joint control over food production. Farmers are
for the first time. They also apply the same duties in other EU countries. They reflect has a special partnership with 78 countries in Africa, paid the same price for their produce. The EU grows
on their imports from outside countries. The frustration at remote and unresponsive the Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) regions. The EU is the enough food for its needs and farmers earn well. The
worlds biggest trading group is born. Trade governments as well as protests again the worlds biggest provider of development assistance to unwanted side-effect is overproduction with mountains of
among the six and between the EU and the rest Vietnam War and the nuclear arms race. Clothes and poorer countries. Its aid is linked to respect for human surplus produce. Since the 1990s, priorities have been to
1972 of the world grows rapidly.
Paris demonstrators.
accessories of
the 1960s. In the 1960s, farming in Europe
becomes more mechanised.
rights by recipients. cut surpluses and raise food quality.

Acid rain destroys forests in

10 December 1974 Scandinavia and Germany. 710 June 1979 In summer 1980, shipyard workers in the Polish city of
The fight against pollution intensifies EU citizens directly elect the members of the European Gdansk, led by Lech Walesa, strike for more rights. Other
To show their solidarity, EU leaders set up the European in the 1970s. The EU adopts laws to strikes follow across the country. In August, the government
1 January 1973 Regional Development Fund. Its purpose is to transfer Parliament for the first time. Previously they were delegated
protect the environment, introducing by national parliaments. Members sit in pan-European capitulates and Solidarno is created as an independent
The six become nine when money from rich to poor regions to improve roads and the notion of the polluter pays for trade union. The government gradually reasserts its power
Denmark, Ireland and the communications, attract investment and create jobs. political groups (Socialist, Conservative, Liberal, Greens, etc)
the first time. Pressure groups such as and not in national delegations. The influence of the and imposes martial law in December 1981, ending Polands The name of the Polish trade union
United Kingdom formally This type of activity later comes to account for one third of Greenpeace are founded. brief encounter with people power. But the seeds have been becomes known everywhere.
enter the EU. all EU spending. The EU helps bring jobs to poor
Parliament is constantly increasing.
regions.
sown for later.
The European Parliament in session.

1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982
Office
computers
The overthrow of the Salazar regime in in the The murder of former Italian Prime Youth styles get more exotic in the early 1970s. Pop
Following an Arab-Israeli war in 1970s. stars, whose audiences are getting younger, are a big 1 January 1981
Portugal in 1974 and the death of Minister, Aldo Moro, in 1978 is one of
October 1973, Middle East oil- many acts of terrorism carried out by influence. Some young women swap their miniskirts Membership of the EU reaches double figures
producing nations impose big General Franco of Spain in 1975 end the when Greece joins. It has been eligible to join
last right-wing dictatorships in Europe. extremist groups in the 1970s. Among for even briefer 'hot pants', but most teenagers wear
price increases and restrict sales the victims are leading lawyers, trousers with wide flares at the bottom. They also since its military regime was overthrown and
to certain European countries. Both countries commit themselves to democracy restored in 1974.
democratic government an important businessmen and politicians, as well as wear thick-soled platform boots. Most extreme are
This creates economic problems 11 Israeli athletes at the Munich the punks, with spiky hair, sometimes dyed orange,
throughout the EU. step towards qualifying for future
and a craze for body-piercing.
Oil crisis in 1973/1974 Cars queue for scarce petrol.
membership of the EU. Olympic Games (1972).
Clothes and accessories of the 1970s.
Rubik creates his
famous cube. 1983

7 February 1992
1 January 1993
The Treaty on European Union is signed in Maastricht.
The single market and its four freedoms are established: the free movement of It is a major EU milestone, setting clear rules for the
goods, services, people and money is now reality. More than 200 laws have
future single currency as well as for foreign and
been agreed since 1986 covering tax policy, business regulations, professional security policy and closer cooperation in justice and
qualifications and other barriers to open frontiers. The free movement of some
home affairs. Under the treaty, the name 'European
services is delayed. Union' officially replaces 'European Community'.
The collapse of communism across central and eastern 17 February 1986 28 February 1984
Europe, which began in Poland and Hungary, is A new thrill is bungee jumping. Parents gasp, but Although customs duties disappeared in 1968, trade is not flowing
symbolised by the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989. freely across EU borders. The main obstacles are differences in Computers and automation are changing
youngsters enjoy the sensation of jumping from a the way we live and work. To stay in the
Faced by a mass exodus of its citizens to West, high place attached to an elastic rope, which national regulations. The Single European Act of February 1986
the East German government throws open the launches a vast six-year programme to sort these out. forefront of innovation, the EU adopts
breaks their fall and pulls them back before they the Esprit programme in 1984 as the
gates. Germany is united after more than 40 hit the ground. The Act also gives the European Parliament more
years, and its eastern part joins the EU say and strengthens EU powers in environmental first of many research and development
programmes it has since funded.
(October 1990). protection.

1993 1992 1991 1990 1989 1988 1987 1986 1985 1984
Young children take up roller 15 June 1987 1 January 1986
In the Balkans, Yugoslavia begins to skating. Older brothers and The EU launches the 'Erasmus' Spain and Portugal enter the
break apart in 1991. Fighting erupts sisters listen to 'personal stereos' programme to fund university EU, bringing membership to 12.
(Walkmans) and CDs, watch TV soap operas Clothes and accessories students wishing to study for up
first in Croatia, then in Bosnia and of the 1980s.
Herzegovina where Serbs, Croats and and enjoy Asian food. Huge parties or to a year in another European
Muslims fight in a bloody civil war. 'raves' attract teenagers. Skirts are getting country. More than two million
uncommon, and short trousers for small boys young people have benefited from
1994 Civil unrest begins in former Yugoslavia.
Fall of Berlin Wall and
unification of Germany.
have almost disappeared.
Bungee jumping, late 1980s.
this and similar EU schemes. Robots join car factory
production lines in the 1980s.

13 December 1997 The communications revolution 31 March 2003 29 October 2004 The Kyoto Protocol, an international
1 January 1995 In 1996, scientists in Scotland succeed 1 January 1999 continues. Many schools and homes now treaty to limit global warming and cut
EU leaders agree to start the process of membership The 25 EU countries sign a Treaty creating a
Austria, Finland and in cloning a sheep from a The euro is introduced in 11 countries (joined by Greece in 2001) have high-speed access to the internet. As part of its foreign and security policy, the EU takes on European Constitution. It is designed to stream- emissions of greenhouse gases, comes
single cell of a six-year- negotiations with 10 countries of central and eastern peace-keeping operations in the Balkans, firstly in the Former
Sweden join the EU. The Europe: Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, for commercial and financial transactions only. Notes and coins Text messages and SMS are the favourite line democratic decision-making and into force in February 2005. The EU has
15 members now cover old ewe, a breakthrough will come later. The euro countries are Austria, Belgium, Finland, way for young people to stay in constant Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, and then in Bosnia and management in an EU of 25 and more consistently taken the lead in efforts to
in genetic engineering. Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, Slovakia and Slovenia. Herzegovina. In both cases, EU-led forces replace Nato units.
almost the whole of The Mediterranean islands of Cyprus and Malta are also France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Portugal, contact with each other. Wide-screen countries. It also creates the post of European reduce the impact of climate
western Europe. 'Dolly' is an identical Spain and the Netherlands. Denmark, Sweden and the UK decide and flat-screen TV sets and DVDs set the Internally, the EU agrees to create an area of freedom, Foreign Minister. It has to be ratified by all 25 change. The United States is
copy of her 'parent'. included. In 2000, Treaty changes agreed in Nice open the security and justice for all citizens by 2010.
way for enlargement by reforming EU voting rules. to stay out for the time being. pace for home entertainment. An EU peacekeeping force countries before it can come into force. not a party to the protocol.
at work.
Dolly the sheep.
1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005
26 March 1995 17 June 1997 Nearly everyone wears trainers. Jeans and T-shirts are still On 11 September 2001, hijacked 1 January 2002 1 May 2004
The Schengen Agreement takes effect in airliners are flown into the twin
seven countries Belgium, France, Germany, Signature of the Treaty of Amsterdam. popular. Teenage girls show a little midriff, and black is popular Euro notes and coins arrive. Printing, minting and Eight countries of central and eastern Europe the Czech
It builds on the achievements of for a time. In the later 1990s, mobile phones and the internet towers of the World Trade Center in distributing them in 12 countries is a major logistical Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Slovakia
Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Portugal and New York and the Pentagon building
Spain. Travellers of any nationality can travel Maastricht, laying down plans to reform change the way we communicate. The technology behind both operation. More than 80 billion coins are involved. Notes are and Slovenia join the EU, finally ending the division of
EU institutions, to give Europe a is European. Young people travel more, and students often take in Washington. Nearly 3 000 people the same for all countries. Coins have one common face, Europe decided by the Great Powers 60 years earlier at
between all these countries without any die. The EU countries stand firmly
passport control at the frontiers. Other stronger voice in the world, and to a 'gap' year to see the world, using e-mail to keep in touch. giving the value, while the other carries a national emblem. All Yalta. Cyprus and Malta also become members. Bulgaria
concentrate more resources on alongside the United States in the circulate freely. Using Finnish (or any other) euro coin to buy a Madrid and Romania are due to follow in 2007. Croatia and
member states have since joined the fight against international terror.
Passport-free travel across frontiers. passport-free Schengen area. employment and the rights of citizens. metro ticket is something we take for granted. Turkey are also candidates for membership.
Clothes and accessories of the 1990s.

Maps: Stefan Chabluk - Drawings: Pamela Hewetson and Nick Hewetson - Photos (from top left to bottom right following the timeline): European Commission, Associated Press, Camera Press London/F. Jacobs, European Commission, Associated Press,
Published by the European Commission, Directorate-General for Press and Communication, June 2005. Camera Press London/Giancarlo Botti, 1996 Corbis original image courtesy of NASA/CORBIS, Photodisc Inc, European Parliament, Camera Press London/Imapress/Stephane Cardinale, Associated Press/Stringer, Camera Press London/Sepp Spiegl.
NA-68-05-777-EN-P.