We've been celebrating Europe Day for 14 years, but few Europeans actually know what this day stands for...

9th May: A day making history

On 9th May, the Parliament opened its   doors to citizens to celebrate Europe Day.

This day has been celebrated   for the past 14 years.

Yet, few Europeans know   what it stands for.

I'm not sure but isn't it when   the first 12 countries founded the EU?

Something was signed.   A document explaining that...

Few people know why 9th May   was chosen to celebrate Europe.

On 9th May 1950, Robert Schuman   the then French Foreign Minister

gave a speech which was   the EU's birth statement.

Europe won't be made in one go   or as a whole.

It will be made   through concrete achievements

The aim of this day   is to enable citizens to improve

their knowledge of Europe   and its institutions.

It's about showing them   how the European Parliament works

but not only that: for this 2009 edition,

citizens were also invited to vote   for the next European elections in June.

From 4th-7th June, citizens must choose   who will represent them in Parliament.

Political groups took advantage of that   day to convince people to vote for them.

All are campaigning   even if they don't admit it.

No, because political groups   agreed not to do so.

I took part in a debate, I tried to answer   the questions people asked.

They mainly asked for information   about the Parliament.

All efforts are good efforts   to inform citizens

because 6 Europeans out of 10 admit   they don't know the Parliament's role well.

A majority of citizens claim not to be   informed enough to go and vote.

These previsions aren't   affecting the celebration.

Will there still be something to celebrate,   the day after the European elections?