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May 9

Europe Day & The Schuman Declaration (1950)


On May 9, 1950, French Foreign Minister Robert Schuman declared what is now known as the Schuman Declaration to integrate Europe after the devastation of WWII. In particular, Schuman called for a "New Europe" based on democratic principles and the free movement of commerce – which is now celebrated as Europe Day.

Much of Europe was destroyed in the aftermath of WWII, and European nations faced some very difficult challenges. For example, the economy of Europe was crushed, people faced mass starvation, and nationalistic tensions continued to grow between neighboring countries.

Schuman saw this bleak time in the history of Europe as a rare opportunity to bring Europe together. On this day, May 9, 1950, Schuman read a declaration addressed to the world calling for European countries to combine their coal and steel production into a European federation. In short, the very countries which Schuman asked to work together had nearly destroyed each other in World War II. Schuman’s Declaration was a difficult message for many Europeans to agree with, but Schuman believed that Europe had the resolve to overcome the past.

Schuman began his Declaration by stating:

World peace cannot be safeguarded without the making of creative efforts proportionate to the dangers which threaten it.
The contribution which an organized and living Europe can bring to civilization is indispensable to the maintenance of peaceful relations. In taking upon herself for more than 20 years the role of champion of a united Europe, France has always had as her essential aim the service of peace. A united Europe was not achieved and we had war.
Europe will not be made all at once, or according to a single plan. It will be built through concrete achievements which first create a de facto solidarity. The coming together of the nations of Europe requires the elimination of the age-old opposition of France and Germany. Any action taken must in the first place concern these two countries. With this aim in view, the French Government proposes that action be taken immediately on one limited but decisive point.
It proposes that Franco-German production of coal and steel as a whole be placed under a common High Authority, within the framework of an organization open to the participation of the other countries of Europe.
The pooling of coal and steel production should immediately provide for the setting up of common foundations for economic development as a first step in the federation of Europe, and will change the destinies of those regions which have long been devoted to the manufacture of munitions of war, of which they have been the most constant victims.

Schuman’s Declaration led to the creation of the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC). The ECSC acted as the foundation for the establishment of the modern European Union (EU).

Today, the European Union is comprised of 27 member states, around 500 million citizens, a standardized system of laws, the free movement of goods, services, and people, the Euro currency, and a combined gross domestic product (GDP) of over $18 trillion U.S. dollars (or 30% of the world’s GDP) based on 2008 numbers.

Robert Schuman made history with his Schuman Declaration and he is considered one of the founding fathers of the EU. And the EU continues to grow in size, stature, and influence around the world.