Flag of Europe
The flag of Europe is twelve golden stars in a circle on a blue background. Although the flag is most commonly associated with the European Union, it is used by the Council of Europe as well, and represents Europe as a whole as opposed to any particular organization such as the EU or the COE.
The flag was originally adopted by the Council of Europe on December 8, 1955, from a suggested design by the Chief Herald of Ireland. The Council of Europe from the beginning desired it to be used by other regional organizations seeking European integration. The European Community adopted it on May 26, 1986. The European Union, which was established by the Maastricht Treaty in the 1990s and is a somewhat different co-existing organisation formed by members of the European Community, also adopted the flag. Since then the use of the flag has been controlled jointly by all three organizations.
- History accompanying the flag
| Year | Event |
| 1949 | The Council of Europe was formed in the aftermath of the Second World War |
| 1955 | The Council of Europe
creates for itself what is now also the EU flag, as a focus for Europeanunity |
| 1957 | European Economic Community founded by the Treaty of Rome:
Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg & TheNetherlands - "The Six" |
| 1967 | European Community formed by a merger of the EEC, Euratom (founded 1957) and The European Coal & Steel Community (founded 1951) |
| 1973 | Britain joined the EC, together with Ireland and Denmark making "The Nine" (Norway wisely opted to stay out) |
| 1981 | Greece joined, making "The Ten" |
| 1986 | Portugal & Spain joined making the "The Twelve" |
| 1986 | EC adopts (with permission)
the Council of Europe Flag as its own. 12 Stars & 12States. |
| 1992 | Maastricht Treaty |
| 1993 | Maastricht Treaty Ratified. European Single Market completed. The EC becomes the EU |
| 1995 | Austria, Finland and Sweden join the EU making "The Fifteen" |
| 2002 | Still only 12 stars. |
See also European anthem.