Europe Day 2021

Europe Day is celebrated on 9 May every year to remind us of peace and unity in Europe. The date marks the anniversary of the historic Schuman declaration, which set Europe on the path to today's European Union.  

The Schuman declaration was a landmark speech given on 9 May 1950 by Robert Schuman - then foreign minister of France - in which he proposed the creation of the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC). Its European member states would pool coal and steel production under a common High Authority to make another war "not merely unthinkable, but materially impossible". Because of his integral part in creating the ECSC - and thereby aiding European integration - he is today rightfully considered to be one of the "founding fathers" of Europe.

Under normal circumstances the anniversary of this speech is celebrated at the European institutions by opening their doors and holding on-site events. For this year's Europe Day on 9 May the Council will offer a range of different activities - and due to the pandemic you can participate in all of them online from wherever you like.

For example, if you want to learn more about the Schuman declaration, and on Robert Schuman himself, the Council library has created a special Library Guide full of resources.

The Council also has other activities in store for you!

You can

• take a guided video tour of the Council premises that is available in all 24 official languages
• watch all of the EU Ambassadors say ʻHappy Europe Dayʼ in all 24 official and more languages. See if you can find the additional language!
• play a fun quiz on European inventions
• take a selfie in the Council buildings without needing to be there
• do much more…

In this spirit: a happy Europe Day from everybody at the Council Library!

This post does not necessarily represent the positions, policies or opinions of the Council of the European Union or the European Council.

The Council library reading room is currently closed. The Info Desk remains open on-line and will reply to queries by email from Monday to Friday, 10.00 to 16.00.