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The idea of a united Europe was born during World War II. In 1941, three Italian intellectuals — Altiero Spinelli, Eugenio Colorni, and Ernesto Rossi — wrote the Manifesto of Ventotene while imprisoned on the island of Ventotene.
The document called for a free and united Europe based on peace, democracy, and social justice. It proposed that European countries should work together closely to avoid new wars caused by extreme nationalism.

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1951: The European Coal and Steel Community

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1951: The European Coal and Steel Community

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The first step towards European integration began with the Treaty of Paris, establishing the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC). Six founding members - Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands - agreed to unite their coal and steel industries, preventing future wars through economic cooperation.

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The six ECSC members signed the Treaties of Rome, creating the European Economic Community (EEC) and the European Atomic Energy Community (Euratom). This marked the beginning of broader economic integration and the foundation of what would later become the EU.

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A major milestone was reached as customs duties between member states were completely eliminated, and a common external tariff for goods from non-member countries was established. This created the world's largest free trade area at the time.

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The first expansion of the European Community welcomed Denmark, Ireland, and the United Kingdom, bringing the total number of member states to nine. This marked the beginning of several waves of expansion that would follow.

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1979: First European Parliament Elections

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1979: First European Parliament Elections

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For the first time, citizens directly elected their representatives to the European Parliament, marking a significant step toward democratic participation in European governance.

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Initially signed by five member states, the Schengen Agreement laid the groundwork for the gradual abolition of border checks between participating countries, enabling free movement of people within what would become the Schengen Area.

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The Treaty on European Union was signed in Maastricht, officially creating the European Union and establishing EU citizenship. It also laid the foundation for the euro currency and increased cooperation in foreign and security policy.

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The euro was introduced as a virtual currency for banking and accounting purposes, marking a historic moment in European monetary integration. Physical euro notes and coins would enter circulation three years later.

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The EU underwent its largest single expansion, welcoming ten new member states: Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia, and Slovenia. This reunion of Eastern and Western Europe marked the end of the Cold War division.

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The Lisbon Treaty came into force, reforming EU institutions and decision-making processes. It created the position of President of the European Council and strengthened the EU's role in global affairs.

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TIn 2016, the United Kingdom held a referendum and voted to leave the European Union. This event is known as Brexit (British Exit).
After long negotiations, the UK officially left the EU on 31 January 2020. This historic event marked the end of 47 years of British membership and began a new chapter in EU-UK relations. Brexit had a strong impact on political, economic, and social relations between the UK and the rest of Europe.

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2022 - Ukraine and Moldova become Candidate Countries

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2022 - Ukraine and Moldova become Candidate Countries

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After the Russian invasion, the European Union granted Ukraine and Moldova the status of candidate countries. This means they have officially started the process to become future members of the EU, provided they meet the required political and economic standards.