Formative European moments

Throughout history, remarkable events and experiences have transformed the lives of Europeans, influenced their views of Europe,
and inspired them to fight for a cause. Europe’s Stories asked you to identify your formative, best and worst #EuropeanMoments.

The moments at the top are those most frequently mentioned by our interviewees

Formative
 InterRail ticket in German
Olaf Kosinsky, CC BY-SA 3.0
Personal Travel Experiences
Formative
 Erasmus students with international flags
"UP", CC BY-SA 4.0
Studying abroad - Erasmus established (1987)
Formative
 West and East Germans on top of the Berlin Wall at the Brandenburg Gate
Unknown photographer, Senate of Berlin, CC BY-SA 3.0
Fall of the Berlin Wall (1989)
Formative
 Euro coin from 2002
Mark Morgan, CC BY 2.0
Introduction of the Euro (2002)
Formative
 Road at Austrian Schengen Border with blue sign that reads "Republik Osterreich" surrounded by EU's yellow stars
BlueMars Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Establishment of the Schengen Area (1995)
Formative
 Commemorative Medal Treaty of Maastricht, circular silver medal with map of Europe
Unknown (Museum Rotterdam), CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Maastricht Treaty (1992)
Formative
 Destroyed buildings and rubble in Dresden
By Deutsche Fotothek‎, CC BY-SA 3.0
Post WWII unification of Europe (1945)
Formative
 Eight Solidarność stamps that depict sculptures and religious figures
Jacek Jaśkiewicz, Małgorzata Jaśkiewic, free cultural work
Solidarność movement (1980s)
Formative
 Map of Europe with shades of green marking the 2004 enlargement
Created by Mfloryan, modified Nablicus, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
European Constitution (2004)

Full list of project interviewees