Lessons from history: Europe Day, 9 May 2017

On 9 May 1950, Robert Schuman - the French Foreign Minister at the time - gave a memorable speech making the case for a new model of political and economic cooperation for Europe - considered to be the first official step in the creation of what is now the European Union.

Each year, the EU institutions celebrate this by organising activities on or near 9 May, the anniversary date of the Schuman Declaration.

Note that the Council of Europe, a separate international organisation, celebrates the 5th May as Europe Day.

• Primary Source

EU: EEAS: Press Release, 08.05.17: Europe Day lights up Sydney Opera House https://eeas.europa.eu/headquarters/headquarters-homepage/25702/

Agenda.ge, 07.05.17: Tbilisi celebrates European Days 2017 http://agenda.ge/news/79043/eng

B92, 09.05.17: EU Delegation Celebrating Europe Day in Serbia http://www.b92.net/eng/news/politics.php?yyyy=2017&mm=05&dd=09&nav_id=101220

EU: EEAS: Speech, 10.05.17: Celebrating Europe Day in Mauritius https://eeas.europa.eu/headquarters/headquarters-homepage/25855/celebrating-europe-day-mauritius_en

Council of Europe: International and Europe Days: 5 May - Europe Day http://www.coe.int/en/web/portal/5-may-europe-day

Euro|Topics: Debates, May 2017: Is Europe Day a cause for celebration? http://www.eurotopics.net/en/177618/is-europe-day-a-cause-for-celebration

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