What is Europe Day?
Europe Day, on 9 May, celebrates peace and unity in Europe and commemorates the Schuman Declaration of 9 May 1950, in which the French foreign minister Robert Schuman proposed pooling European coal and steel production under a common authority. This proposal led to the European Coal and Steel Community, the first of the institutions that later became the European Union. The anniversary is observed by European institutions, schools and many local authorities, and it is a day to reflect on the history of cooperation in Europe. The date is not a holiday in most member states.
The date is marked by the EU with an open day at its institutions in Brussels and Strasbourg, concerts, debates and cultural events across member states. The flag of the European Union, a circle of twelve gold stars on a blue background, is flown from public buildings. The Council of Europe, a separate organisation, marks its own Europe Day on 5 May, which is a different event from the one of the European Union. Open days at the European Parliament and the Commission allow visitors to tour buildings that are normally closed.
Why it is observed
In 1985 the leaders of the European Community meeting in Milan adopted 9 May as Europe Day, building on the symbolism of the Schuman Declaration. The declaration was based on ideas developed by Jean Monnet and aimed to make a future war between France and Germany not only unthinkable but materially impossible. The European Coal and Steel Community was founded by the Treaty of Paris in 1951, and the day is a reminder of that start. Luxembourg, whose capital hosts several EU institutions, made 9 May a public holiday in 2019.
How the date is set
Europe Day is fixed on 9 May. It is a public holiday in Luxembourg, and a day of events and flag-flying in other European Union countries.
How it is observed
Europe Day is a public holiday in Luxembourg, which means closed banks, offices and schools, and in Moldova 9 May is also marked, together with the commemoration of the end of the Second World War. In other countries, such as Finland, it is a flag day, and in the rest of the EU it is a normal working day with special events. Visitors can expect open days at EU institutions. Pay and time off depend on national law and the contract. Check the specific programme if you plan to visit the EU institutions, because events are held in many cities and dates of open days are announced in advance on their websites, and registration may be needed.
Luxembourg
Moldova