Robert Schuman presents his proposal on the creation of an organized Europe, indispensable to the maintenance of peaceful relations. This proposal, known as the "Schuman declaration", is considered by some people to be the beginning of the creation of what is now the European Union.

Re-unification of Germany. The German Democratic Republic ceases to exist and its territory becomes part of the Federal Republic of Germany. East German citizens became part of the ''European Community'', which later became the European Union. Now celebrated as German Unity Day.

The Maastricht Treaty is signed, leading to the creation of the European Union.

EU - riots in Nørrebro, Copenhagen caused by the approval of the four Danish exceptions in the Maastricht Treaty referendum. Police opened fire against civilians for the first time since World War II and injured 11 demonstrators. In total 113 bullets are fired.

The Maastricht Treaty takes effect, formally establishing the European Union.

In a referendum voters in Sweden decide to join the European Union.

The Kingdom of Sweden and the republics of Austria and Finland are admitted into the European Union.

Latvia applies for membership in the European Union.

The Czech Republic applies for membership of the European Union.

The last occurrence of February 24 as a leap day in the European Union and for the Roman Catholic Church.

The European Union's Veterinarian Committee bans the export of British beef and its by-products as a result of mad cow disease (Bovine spongiform encephalopathy).

The European Central Bank is founded in Brussels in order to define and execute the European Union's monetary policy.

The World Trade Organisation rules in favor of the United States in its long-running trade dispute with the European Union over bananas.

Euro banknotes and coins become legal tender in twelve of the European Union's member states.

Enlargement of the European Union: The European Union announces that Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia, and Slovenia will become members from May 1, 2004.

The Treaty of Accession is signed in Athens admitting 10 new member states to the European Union.

In a referendum, Estonia approves joining the European Union.

Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia, and Slovenia join the European Union, celebrated at the residence of the Irish President in Dublin.

Spain becomes the first country to vote in a referendum on ratification of the proposed Constitution of the European Union, passing it by a substantial margin, but on a low turnout.

Bulgaria and Romania sign accession treaties to join the European Union.

Bulgaria and Romania officially join the European Union. Also, Bulgarian, Romanian, and Irish become official languages of the European Union, joining 20 other official languages.