June 5th

On this day - June 5th 1975 - UK voted to stay a part of EU in a referendum 

As most people know, the UK is about to hold a referendum where the aim is to deiced if the country wants to continue to be a part of the EU (Brexit). On June 5th 1975 was a similar referendum held in the UK with the question of weather or not they should stay a part of what was known as EC, European Community at the time. UK had become a member in 1973 and two years later was a referendum held to gain support for the membership decision. EC later grew into the EU. 65 percent of the eligible population turned out to vote and 67 percent voted yes in the first nationwide referendum in the UK.

Good luck in the referendum on June 23, UK. As always, please remember to vote.

Thatcher played an important role in the debates before the referendum

November 1st

On this day – November 1st 1993

– EU was created (The Maastricht Treaty became effective)

The Treaty on European Union, commonly known as the Maastricht Treaty, was created with the goal of integrating Europe. It was based on the European Economic Community. The treaty had been signed already in February in 1992, but it became effective on November 1st in 1993. The treaty created the European Union and its structure of three pillars (European Community, Common Foreign and Security Policy and Justice and Home affairs). The treaty also led to the introduction of the common currency, the Euro, a few years later. 

Ratification of the treaty became complicated in three countries. Denmark had to add four exceptions before its citizens voted yes in a second referendum. In France the treaty was only narrowly supported. The treaty also created political disagreement in United Kingdom, a country who is still struggling with disagreement about their membership in EU