What is Europe Day?
Europe Day was established in 1985 to commemorate the Schuman Declaration. It was one of the first instances of the great powers of Europe working together for the wider European community.
Since then, 9 May has been a day to celebrate the peace and unity of Europe, and the great relationships and strong bonds our countries hold.
The history of Europe day
Europe Day was introduced in 1985 by the ‘European Communities’. The founding members - Italy, France, West Germany, Belgium and the Netherlands - governed it.
This collection of countries were the predecessors to the European Union, and created this day to commemorate the Schuman Declaration of 9 May 1950. In fact, many Europeans often call Europe Day, Schuman Day.
The Schuman Declaration
The Schuman Declaration was a hugely influential declaration, which solidified relations between the founding members of the EU. The declaration was presented by French Foreign Minister Robert Schuman on 9 May 1950.
The declaration proposed the creation of The European Coal and Steel Community, where members would pool coal and steel production to help recover from the devastation of the Second World War.
This is widely recognised as the first instance in which European institutions would meet to form what is now known as the European Union.
"The solidarity in production thus established will make it plain that any war between France and Germany becomes not merely unthinkable, but materially impossible," Schuman said while reading his declaration in the Salon de l'Horloge at the Quai d'Orsay in Paris on 9 May 1950.
75 years on, this message of merging economic interests, to help raise living standards and to focus on creating peace and stability through a united Europe, is still as important as ever. Europe Day highlights the strong strides we as a European collective have taken since.
Watch Robert Schuman’s Declaration on the 9th of May 1950 here:
How is Europe Day celebrated?
From Athens to Amsterdam and Lisbon to Ljubljana, countries and cities across the continent celebrate Europe Day with public visits and information days, cultural events and celebrations, and commemorations, debates and discussions.
Balancing education and discussion with culture and entertainment, Europe Day events aim to celebrate the similarities and the differences that link our different cultures together.
Open Doors Day
Within the European Union, Europe Day offers as a window into the worlds of the different EU institutions. On 9 May every year, each of the EU institutions open their doors to the public allowing the public to visit these places.
Some of the EU bodies that choose to open their doors include the European Parliament, the Council of the European Union, the European Commission, the European Economic and Social Committee and the European Committee of the Regions.
Key moments in Ireland's membership of the European Union
As we mark Europe Day, 9 May, we are celebrating some of the big moments in Ireland’s European history, which have shaped our relationship with the EU and our fellow member states.
