Every year on May 9, Europe Day is celebrated at the official level in a number of European countries, and primarily – in the countries of the European Union (EU).
This day was established with the aim of involving citizens of European countries more closely in the integration process, and is also intended to educate citizens of EU member states and people in the rest of the world about the benefits of an organization such as the European Union.
By the way, there are currently two separate Europe Days. Thus, the first day is celebrated on May 5 by decision of the Council of Europe, starting in 1964, in honor of its own creation in 1949. And the second Europe Day, which is celebrated on May 9, was officially approved by the European Parliament in 2008 and is also known as «Day of the Schumann Declaration». Because it is celebrated on the anniversary of the «declaration» of the Schumann Declaration (Schuman Plan).
On May 9, 1950, in a speech in Paris, French Foreign Minister Robert Schuman (1886-1963) proposed merging the metallurgical, iron ore and coal mining industries of France and West Germany. The implementation of this proposal subsequently led to the creation of the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC), the predecessor of the European Union.
Therefore, the day of May 9, on which Robert Schumann, on behalf of the French government, announced his proposal, is celebrated today as Europe Day, and Schumann himself is considered one of the founding fathers of the European Union.
Currently, the European Union (European Union, EU) – is an economic and political association of 27 European states.
In honor of the holiday, EU flags and national flags are hung on the streets of many European cities in these countries. EU institutions in Brussels and Strasbourg hold open days where they organize public outreach events, European commissioners and MEPs hold meetings with citizens.
In addition to official ones, many entertainment events are held on this day. Famous artists perform in the squares, exhibitions are opened in cultural centers, seminars and conferences are held to raise awareness of the European Union.
By the way, in 1887 in Transcarpathia (which was then part of Austria-Hungary) in the Verkhnetisyan basin on the right bank of the Tisza, a two-meter geodetic sign was installed, indicating the geographical center of Europe. The coordinates of this geographical center of Europe are 47° 56'3 north latitude and 24° 11'30 east longitude.