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Description
Have you ever wondered why Europe Day is celebrated on two different dates—May 5 and May 9? Or perhaps you're curious about the significance of these dates and how they relate to the European Union and the Council of Europe. Well, you're in the right place! Let's embark on a delightful journey through history, culture, and the essence of European unity.
History
It all began in 1964, when the Council of Europe—an international organization focused on promoting human rights and democracy—decided to create Europe Day. They chose May 5 because that’s the day the Council itself was founded back in 1949. This version of Europe Day is all about peace, cooperation, and celebrating democratic values across the continent.
But wait… there’s another date on the calendar!
Enter May 9, a Europe Day celebrated by the European Union. This one honors the Schuman Declaration, presented on May 9, 1950 by French Foreign Minister Robert Schuman. And yes, some people even call it Schuman Day because of that.
So, what was this Schuman Declaration all about?
In short, it was a plan to stop wars between France and Germany by doing something clever—uniting their coal and steel production under one shared authority. By doing this, the two old rivals would no longer be able to go to war with each other, at least not without cutting off their own industrial lifeline. That’s some smart thinking, Monsieur Schuman!
And guess what? The plan worked.
The six founding countries—France, West Germany, Italy, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg—signed the Treaty of Paris in 1951, officially forming the European Coal and Steel Community. This was Europe’s first supranational organization, meaning countries gave up a little control in exchange for working more closely together.
This community later expanded and transformed into the European Economic Community in 1957, which eventually evolved into what we now know as the European Union.
So in a nutshell, the Schuman Declaration laid the foundation for all of Europe to come together as a peaceful, cooperative, and democratic union. That’s why Europe Day—whether you celebrate it on May 5 or May 9—is such a meaningful day. It’s a time to remember how the continent moved from division and war to unity and peace.
How To Celebrate
1. Fly the Flag
Encourage students to create and display the European Union flag—twelve gold stars on a blue background. Each star represents unity, not a specific country, which is a great conversation starter!
2. Visit an E.U. Institution (Virtually or In Person)
Can’t take a class trip to Brussels? No problem. Many EU institutions offer virtual tours. Explore the European Parliament or European Commission online—it’s a great way to make politics accessible.
3. Create a Cultural Fair
Have each student or group represent a different EU country. They can prepare a short presentation, bring snacks (if allowed!), or share fun facts.
4. Host a European Quiz Bowl
Make learning a game! Prepare quiz questions about the EU, the Council of Europe, member countries, or European landmarks. Offer prizes to ramp up excitement.
5. Integrate EU Regions Week
Teach students about EU Regions Week—a real event where Europe’s cities and regions collaborate and share best practices. You can simulate a mini version in your classroom by having students represent different EU cities and propose regional projects.
Amazing Facts
1. There are two Europe Days!
Yep, you read that right. May 5 celebrates the founding of the Council of Europe, and May 9 honors the Schuman Declaration, the origin of the European Union. So depending on where you are—or how much you love history—you can celebrate both!
2. The EU flag doesn’t represent countries.
Those 12 golden stars on a blue background don’t stand for 12 countries. Instead, the number 12 is symbolic—it stands for perfection, unity, and completeness. That’s right, even if more countries join, the stars will stay twelve.
3. Europe Day is a public holiday in some countries.
While it’s not a day off everywhere, Luxembourg and Kosovo officially recognize Europe Day as a public holiday. That means parades, events, and—let’s be honest—probably some cake.
4. The first Europe Day was in 1964.
The Council of Europe was the first to declare May 5 as Europe Day in 1964. The European Union followed later, adopting May 9 in 1985 to highlight the Schuman Declaration.
5. It all started with coal and steel.
The European Union’s origin story begins with the European Coal and Steel Community, designed to make war between France and Germany impossible. It's amazing how peace can start with something as unglamorous as raw materials!
Why We Love
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It’s a celebration of peace: A continent once divided now works together to ensure prosperity and dialogue.
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It teaches unity in diversity: With 24 official languages and rich cultural traditions, Europe proves differences can strengthen unity.
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It brings people together: Festivals, concerts, and community events pop up across cities and towns, from Lisbon to Ljubljana.
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It makes education fun: Teachers use this day to create exciting lessons on geography, history, language, and international cooperation.
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