NEW YORK, MAY 9 – To celebrate Europe Day 2019, New York City’s iconic landmark, the Empire State Building, was lit up in the European Union’s flag colours, blue and yellow, for the eleventh time – this year on Thursday the 9th of May.
On the 9th of May 1950, French Foreign Minister Robert Schuman presented his historic proposal for an integrated European coal and steel community, indispensable to the maintenance of peaceful relations. This proposal, known as the “Schuman declaration,” is considered to be the founding document of what is now the European Union. Each year, the European Union Delegation to the United Nations hosts a celebration to mark Europe Day.
By establishing the European Economic Community (EEC) and the European Atomic Energy Community (Euratom) on 25 March 1957 in Rome, the EU founding fathers – Italy was one of six – laid the foundations for something greater: an ever closer union that binds together the peoples of Europe in peace, prosperity and solidarity through the four freedoms – the free movement of people, goods services and capital. These treaties brought peace, prosperity and security to millions of people in Europe. We, the Europeans, still enjoy the benefits of this milestone, and it is a great accomplishment that has supported the Member States in sustaining harmony and peace.
In 2006 New York State Governor Pataki proclaimed the 9th of May as Europe Day in the Empire State. (@OnuItalia)
