History of the Euro

 1945 : End of the war in Europe.

 1950 : Schuman's declaration, proposing that France and Germany pool their resources of coal and steel

 1951 : Treaty of Paris creating the European Coal and Steel Community (6 countries

100 franc commemorative coin dedicated to Jean Monnet, forerunner of the founding of Europe

 1957 : Treaty of Rome. Creation of the European Economic Community (EEC, 6 countries).

100 franc commemorative coin 1991 dedicated to the creation of Europe

 1969 : Customs union.

In 2001, the 15 members of the European Union are

since 1957 : Germany, Belgium, France, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands. since 1973 : Denmark, Ireland, United Kingdom. since 1981 : Greece. since 1986 : Spain, Portugal. since 1995 : Austria, Finland, Sweden. Euro : There are 12 countries taking part from 2002. The 4 countries not taking part in the first phase of the euro in 2002 are shown in orange.

 1972 : The European currency snake, limiting fluctuations to 2.25%..

 1979 : European monetary system, defining a single currency unit (named EURO in 1995).

 1992 : Traité de Maastricht, créant l'Union Européenne (UE) qui remplace la CEE.

1992 : Treaty of Maastricht, creating the European Union (EU) which replaces the EEC.

Common obverse of the 1 euro coin

The European Union's flag with 12 stars

 1st january 1999 : Final fixing of the value of the euro in the currency of the 11 participating countries. For France 1 euro = 6.55957 francs.

 Dual display of retail prices in euros and in national currency in 1999, 2000 and 2001.

 1st january 2002 : Circulation of coins and banknotes in euro.

 17 february 2002 : End of the legal tender of the franc.

 28 february 2002 : Disappearance of all the national currencies.

1rst may 2004 : Enlargement of European Union with 10 new members

2004-2006 : The 25 states member of European Union vote the European Constitution