Lesson Two

On 9 May 1950, French Foreign Minister Robert Schuman first

publicly put forward the ideas that led to the European Union.

Do you like history? Some people don't because they believe history is history and revising it is meaningless,however you can learn from your mistakes by history. Usually true history starts to talk after 50 years and you can not do anything to change it,the past is past but history can teach you without charge because previous generation has paid for you. Lesson two of "Europe in 12 Lessons" is about "Ten historic steps "in EU.

1. 1951: The European Coal and Steel Community is established by the six founding members


2. 1957: The Treaty of Rome establishes a common market


3. 1973: The Community expands to nine member states and develops its common policies


4. 1979: The first direct elections to the European Parliament


5. 1981: The first Mediterranean enlargement


6. 1993: Completion of the single market


7. 1993: The Treaty of Maastricht establishes the European Union


8. 1995: The EU expands to 15 members


9. 2002: Euro notes and coins are introduced


10. 2004: Ten more countries join the Union

These steps show how EU has become a powerful union in more than 50 years. If you want to become a successful person you should invest time for your life,career and every single aspects to approach your goals.

To be continue

Ref.:Fontaine, P. (2006) Europe in 12 Lesson, Brussels: European commission