One might be forgiven for thinking that the founding of The European Union is notexactly the
stu that myths are made of? Not at all for here it comes - though it isnot a myth but a real
story that only sounds like a myth: The 9th of May 1950 was theday when the destiny of European
integration (began to take) took shape with thedeclaration by the French foreign Minister
Robert Schuman aiming at the creation ofa European Coal and Steel Community. One can retrace
the events of these historicalmoments day by day sometimes hour by hour the main actors
emerging with highlyanimated proles the tension mounting to thrilling heights - but nally the
solutionis found! And this solution is as much as it seems pragmatic nothing less
thanrevolutionary: It is - to use the words of the French foreign minister himself! - therst
breach into national sovereignty. The political system of the EU can be traceddirectly back to
this initial moment.Once the story of the 9th of May 1950 is told one can contemplate it from
dierentangles and learn a lot: What about the relationship between the external pressureof the
Allies on France in order to prepare for a common defense line of the Westernbloc - and the
intra-European Franco-German desire to overcome their old conictsand reach a fair tradeo of
interests? What about the relationship between economicsand politics - was and is European
integration mainly an economic project or doesit ultimately aim at a political union? And maybe
the most dicult question: Wouldothers have taken dierent decisions from those of Jean Monnet
Robert Schumanand Konrad Adenauer? Could they have? And if it was their own free will to decide
asthey did what led them to do so?This book tells the story of the 9th of May and the days
leading up to it - and reectson the signicance of this historical moment our Europe Day.
