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In Gothenburg, Sweden, the runner Gunder Hägg breaks the 14 minute barrier for the 5 000 metres, in a time of 13:58.20

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17 February 1953

The coal market opens within the European Coal and Steel Community. The common market for coal and iron ore is put into place. Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg and the Netherlands remove custom duties and quantitative restrictions on these raw materials. The steel market opens in May.

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3 September 1955

Launch of the first European Cup organised by the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA). Real Madrid wins the tournament. The competition was renamed the Champions League in 1992.

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31 December 1959

In the 1960s, young people begin to assert their identity. A true youth culture emerges. The pop industry booms, helped by television, radio and long-playing (LP) records. Teenagers make fashion statements — miniskirts and high boots for girls, and long hair and pointed boots for boys. This is a time of growth and rising prosperity — and it is nicknamed ‘The Swinging Sixties

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13 July 1964

French cyclist Jacques Anquetil becomes the first person to win the Tour de France five times, a record later matched by Belgian Eddy Merckx, Frenchman Bernard Hinault and Spaniard Miguel Induráin, who won five consecutive tours (1991-1995).

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29 July 1966

England wins the football World Cup, beating West Germany by 4 goals to 2 at Wembley Stadium in London

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31 December 1967

Soviet tanks thunder into Prague to crush the short-lived ‘Prague Spring’ of ﬂedgling democracy in Czechoslovakia. With over 600 000 troops occupying the country, the Czechs and Slovaks are powerless to respond

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31 December 1969

Young people’s fashion becomes more flamboyant in the 1970s. ‘Hot pants’ replace miniskirts and many teenagers wear trousers with wide flares. Thick-soled platform shoes are popular. Later in the decade, the ‘punk’ movement sees many young people sporting spiky, brightly-coloured hair and ripped clothing held together with safety pins. Body piercing also becomes popular at this time

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The European Court of Justice rules that only cheese bearing the Protected Designation of Origin ‘Parmigiano Reggiano’ can be sold under the name ‘Parmesan’. The EU’s quality logos help to protect and promote products with particular characteristics linked to their geographical origin as well as traditional products. More than 3 000 products are currently registered under the various schemes

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21 October 1972

Varna Necropolis, the oldest gold treasure in the world dating from 4600-4200 BC is discovered during digging works to build a factory near Varna, Bulgaria. In 2015, the European Parliament opens a special exhibition in Brussels featuring some of the most precious ﬁnds of this haul

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31 December 2009

Many late 2000s fashion trends remain popular, with skinny jeans becoming one of the defining fashions of the decade, for men and women, along with sportswear. Long, full beards become popular for young men. Music, movie and television streaming services become popular

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31 March 2012

Europeans get a greater say in the policies that affect their lives thanks to a new initiative that gives them the possibility to propose the creation of a law to the European Commission. Once an initiative gathers 1 million signatures, the Commission decides on what follow-up action to take. The first-ever European Citizens’ Initiative ‘Right2Water’, which gathered 1.6 million signatures, led to a proposal for new rules on drinking water. Depending on the country, the minimum age for supporting an initiative can be 16 years old

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10 July 2010

European champions Spain win the football World Cup, defeating the Netherlands by 1-0 in extra time

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Lisbon (Portugal), Rijeka (Croatia), Galway (Ireland), Malaga (Spain) and Gothenburg (Sweden), in addition to being splendid European cities, will hold special titles in 2020.

Green Capital Lisbon has been recognised as a model of urban sustainability. The Capitals of Culture, Rijeka and Galway, are champions of European cultural diversity. Malaga and Gothenburg, European Capitals of Smart Tourism, are at the forefront of tourism accessibility and digitalisation

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31 December 2023

Croatia is the 20th country to join the euro area, replacing the kuna with the euro as its currency.

In order to be part of the euro area, a country has to fulfill a set of economic conditions, which include having a stable exchange rate and a low inflation rate.

Seven EU countries still use their national currencies: Bulgaria, Czechia, Denmark, Hungary, Poland, Romania, and Sweden