Europe day - 9 May 2008 - double party as EU turns 50

9 May celebration commemorates the Schuman Declaration of 9 May 1950, the first step towards 50 years of European cooperation

In a public appeal on 9 May 1950, French foreign minister Robert Schuman invited European countries, worn out by the war, to create a common authority to govern their coal and steel production, paving the way for much wider European cooperation. Seven years later, on 25 March 1957, his dream turned into reality when the leaders of six countries gathered in Rome to sign the founding treaty of the original European Communities.

As the EU blows out 50 candles, Europe day has something extra special to celebrate this year on the 9th of May 2008.

The European Commission has published some information to remember the benefits of being European. Some of these are lined up for you on a new website bringing together 50 of Europe's greatest successes.

http://europa.eu/success50/index_en.htm

This is an extract from the website

Remember when airfares were so expensive that a holiday in the sun was only ever an occasional treat? Or when only mothers were entitled to parental leave? For a virtual tour through a gallery of rooms showcasing Europe's many and varied achievements, visit 50 ways forward.

There is a green room, a blue room and an orange room to begin with.

In the green room you can learn how Europe overcame post-WWII food shortages to secure its food supplies. Did you know that a farm-to-fork approach actively monitors your food to ensure that it's safe?

In the blue room you can find out which of Europe's beaches are the cleanest and which measure up to the EU's strict water-quality standards. You can also discover how the EU furthers democracy across the world by helping ensure that elections are run fairly.

The orange room holds the secret to cheaper flights and how you can make informed choices on which are the safest airlines to fly with. And did you know that since 2004 you no longer have to leave your four-legged friend at home when you travel? Thanks to the pet passport, your dog, cat or bunny rabbit can come along too.

"Communicating how our policies affect everyday lives is just one part of the EU's new communication strategy"

said Commission vice-president Margot Wallström. She hopes these stories will illustrate just how successful Europe has been over the last 50 years and how much it can continue to achieve.