1946
During a speech in Zurich in 1946, Winston Churchill spoke of the need to form a ‘European Family’ or a ‘United States of Europe’ to ensure peace and prosperity for Europe.
1950
The first formal move towards the European Union (EU) was an agreement between France, Germany, Italy and Benelux (Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg), to share control of coal and steel. This was known as ‘The Schuman Declaration’.
1951
The six countries signed the Treaty of Paris, establishing the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC).
1957
The Treaty of Rome establishing the European Economic Community (EEC) was signed by ‘The Original Six’.
1961
Britain applied for membership of the EEC. This was vetoed by French President Charles de Gaulle.
1969
Charles de Gaulle vetoed a second application from Britain.
1973
Denmark, Ireland and Britain joined the EEC.
1975
In a UK referendum on continued membership of the EEC, the electorate voted ‘Yes’ by 67.2% to 32.8% to stay in Europe.
1979
The European Monetary System (EMS) was created. It used an Exchange Rate Mechanism (ERM) to create stable exchange rates. Britain was the only EEC Member State not to join the ERM.
1987
The Single European Act (SEA) amended the Treaty of Rome. Its aim was to create a single internal market.
1990
Britain joined the ERM.
1991
The Maastricht Treaty (full name: the Treaty on European Union) was a major amendment of the 1957 Treaty of Rome. It established a timeline for Economic and Monetary Union (EMU). The UK secured an opt-out from EMU.
1992
After a flood of selling the pound on foreign stock exchanges, Britain was forced to leave the ERM. This day became known as ‘Black Wednesday’.
1993
The Single Market was established, paving the way for the free movement of goods, capital, services and people.
1997
The Treaty of Amsterdam incorporated the Schengen provisions on the abolition of internal border controls and a common visa policy into the EU Treaties, with opt-outs for the UK and Ireland.
1999
On 1 January the single currency, the Euro, was adopted as the official currency of 11 of the 15 EU Member States, as a ‘virtual currency’ for commercial and financial transactions only.
2002
Twelve European states adopted the Euro as legal tender on 1 January and began to phase out their national currencies. Britain, Sweden and Denmark did not join the single currency.
2003
In February the Treaty of Nice came into force. The main purpose of the Treaty was to facilitate the major EU enlargement (10 new states) which was to follow.
2004
Ten countries joined the EU: Poland, Hungary, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Slovenia, Slovakia, Czech Republic, Malta and Cyprus. Membership of the EU was 25 countries and 456 million people.
2007
Bulgaria and Romania joined the EU.
2009
The Treaty of Lisbon attempted to make the EU more democratic, more transparent and more efficient.
Page last updated April 2013