February 7th 1992: Maastricht Treaty signed
On this day in 1992, the European Union was brought into being by the signing of the Maastricht Treaty. It was signed by the twelve member nations of the European Community - a precursor to the EU. The treaty was named for the city in the Netherlands where it was drafted and signed. Maastricht became effective on November 1st 1993, and on that day the EU was formally established. It also provided for common security and foreign policy and gave the people of the signatory states European citizenship. Most importantly, Maastricht provided a blueprint for the later monetary union seen in the establishment of the common currency: the Euro. While the signing occurred without event, the ratification of the Maastricht Treaty was more contentious, with many states struggling to ratify it, including the British Parliament. Today, 25 years since the formation of the European Union, these contentions continue and its future is uncertain. The Euro is struggling financially, and, in 2016, the United Kingdom voted to leave the European Union.
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