1.  The ideas behind the European Union were first put forward on 9 May 1950 by French foreign minister Robert Schuman. This is why 9 May is celebrated as a key date for the EU.

2.  The European Union (EU) is an economic and political union of 27 member states that are located primarily in Europe.economicmember statesprimarilyEurope  Institutions of the EU include the European Commission, the Council of the European Union, the European Council, the Court of Justice of the European Union, the European Central Bank, the Court of Auditors, and the European Parliament. Institutions of the EUEuropean CommissionCouncil of the European UnionEuropean CouncilCourt of Justice of the European UnionEuropean Central BankCourt of AuditorsEuropean Parliament  The European Parliament is elected every five years by EU citizens. The EU's capital is Brussels.EU citizensBrussels

3. The flag of Europe consists of a circle of 12 golden (yellow) stars on an azure background. It is the flag and emblem of the Council of Europe (CoE) and the European Union (EU).circle of azureflagCouncil of EuropeEuropean Union

4.  " Ode to Joy" (German original title: "Ode an die Freude") is the anthem of the European Union and the Council of Europe.GermanEuropean Union Council of Europe  "United in diversity", the motto of the European Union signifies how Europeans have come together, in the form of the EU, to work for peace and prosperity, while at the same time being enriched by the continent's many different cultures, traditions and languages.

5.  Austria (1995) Austria  Belgium (1952) Belgium  Bulgaria (2007) Bulgaria  Cyprus (2004) Cyprus  Czech Republic (2004) Czech Republic  Denmark (1973) Denmark  Estonia (2004) Estonia  Finland (1995) Finland  France (1952) France  Germany (1952) Germany  Greece (1981) Greece  Hungary (2004) Hungary  Ireland (1973) Ireland  Italy (1952) Italy  Latvia (2004) Latvia  Lithuania (2004) Lithuania  Luxembourg (1952) Luxembourg  Malta (2004) Malta  Netherlands (1952) Netherlands  Poland (2004) Poland  Portugal (1986) Portugal  Romania (2007) Romania  Slovakia (2004) Slovakia  Slovenia (2004) Slovenia  Spain (1986) Spain  Sweden (1995) Sweden  United Kingdom (1973) United Kingdom

6.  In 2012 the EU received the Nobel Peace Prize for advancing the causes of peace, reconciliation, democracy and human rights in Europe.  The EU’s most important achievement, according to the committee, has been "the successful struggle for peace and reconciliation and for democracy and human rights".

7.  OFFICIAL LANGUAGES:  Bulgarian Czech DanishDutch EnglishEstonian FinnishFrench GermanGreek HungarianIrish ItalianLatvian LithuanianMaltese PolishPortuguese RomanianSlovak SloveneSpanish Swedish BulgarianCzech DanishDutch EnglishEstonian FinnishFrench GermanGreek HungarianIrish ItalianLatvian LithuanianMaltese PolishPortuguese RomanianSlovak SloveneSpanish Swedish