1. History of the European Union

2. The United States of Europe
Is a dream held by many different historical and political figures through history
NAPOLEON
HITLER
CHURCHILL
Though each interpretation may be wildly different and not linked through democracy!

3. Pre-EEC
1951 Treaty of Paris forms the European Coal and Steel Community
1956 Venice Conference paves way for the EEC and the European Atomic Energy Community

4. 1957
1957: the Treaty of Rome forms the EEC or the European Economic Community
Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg and the Netherlands are the inaugural members.

5.
1973 United Kingdom, Denmark and the Republic of Ireland granted membership
1981 Greece join
1986 Spain and Portugal allowed in
1992 Maastricht Treaty Signed
1993 European Union formed out of the old EEC

6. 1995 - 2007 1995 Austria, Finland and Sweden
2004 Slovakia, Slovenia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland
2007 Bulgaria and Romania

7. 1957
1973
1981
1986
1995
2004
2007
History of entry into the EU

8. The Future
It is likely Turkey will be next to join as they have tried to become a member since 1987.

9. European Parliament is the only directly elected EU body.
It represents the people of the EU unlike the Council of Ministers, which represents governments.
Elections held every 5 years since 1979
The European parliament's powers have steadily increased with each change of the EU treaties. Most new laws in member states are to implement European legislation which is amended and adopted by the European Parliament.
Parliament sits in Strasbourg and Brussels

10. European Single Currency
The Euro is the currency of 16 out of 27 members of the EU
In the UK this has been a bone of contention since it’s formation in The UK as with all other member states have promised to adopt the Euro ‘in due course’. However the strength of anti-European sentiment and the love for the GB Pound leaves the issue doubtful.

11. European Constitution
It was signed in 2004 by the 25 member states but was subject to ratification.
Most of them did so, by parliamentary ratification or by referendum, but two member states (France and the Netherlands) rejected it in referenda.
The UK never had the opportunity to vote as the agreement was if one member rejected it they all had to!

12. European Flag
was designed by Arsène Heitz and Paul Lévy in 1955

13. European Anthem
The popularly used European anthem is a work of legendary German composer Ludwig van Beethoven.
It is his 9th Symphony called ‘Ode to Joy’