75 Years of Europe – In a Digital Photo Book
What does Europe’s shared history look like when we tell it through images? The digital photo-book European Common History for a Better Future, created within the EUxFUTURE project, invites readers on a visual journey through 75 years of European integration — from the first ideas of unity to today’s shared challenges.
The photo-book follows four key historical periods that shaped the Europe we know today:
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The birth of European unity (1950–1957)
From the Schuman Declaration to the Treaties of Paris and Rome, this first chapter captures the foundations of European cooperation and the birth of the common market. -
Strengthening political and economic ties (1970–1992)
A period of expansion and transformation, marked by the first enlargements, democratic transitions, and the vision of a Europe without walls. -
The EU takes shape (1992–2004)
With the Treaty of Maastricht, the creation of the single market, the Charter of Fundamental Rights, the introduction of the euro, and the great enlargement, Europe becomes a tangible reality for millions of citizens. -
The EU modern era and its challenges (2004–present)
From the Treaty of Lisbon and the Nobel Peace Prize to Brexit and ongoing debates about values and diversity, this final section reflects on the complexities of today’s European Union.
Each historical moment is presented through a photograph originally created for the EUxFUTURE exhibition, accompanied by its caption and a short expanded explanation. Together, images and texts help connect major European milestones with the broader story of cooperation, resilience, and shared responsibility.
More than a historical overview, European Common History for a Better Future is an invitation to pause, reflect, and consider how Europe’s past continues to shape our present — and our choices for the future.
The photo-book is available for download in the Results section of our website in six languages: Spanish, French, Italian, Hungarian, Portuguese, and English.
We invite you to explore it and use it as a starting point for learning, discussion, and reflection on Europe’s common history.
Disclaimer: Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the granting authority. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.