| 1951 | The Treaty of Paris was signed, establishing a European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC) |
| 1957 | The Treaties were signed in Rome, establishing the European Economic Community (EEC) and the European Atomic Energy Community (Euratom) |
| 1968 | The Community abolishes import and export duties between the Member States |
| 1973 | Accession of the United Kingdom, Denmark and Ireland to the European Community |
| 1979 | The European Monetary System (EMS) comes into operation |
| 1979 | The European Parliament has its first direct elections |
| 1981 | Greece accedes to the European Community |
| 1986 | Portugal and Spain gains access to the European Community |
| 1990 | Unification of Germany |
| 1992 | Signing of the Maastricht Treaty |
| 1993 | The official launching of the Single Market |
| 1995 | Accession of Austria, Finland and Sweden |