The European Union Delegation to the U.S. is fresh off a week of celebrations for Europe Day, which marks the signing of the Schuman Declaration on May 9, 1950, and the beginnings of the European Union as we know it today. Let's take a look back at this year's festivities!

Transatlantic Bridge Awards

The Delegation honored three Americans for their important contributions to the EU-U.S. relationship with the third annual Transatlantic Bridge Awards. This year's recipients — Ambassador Wendy Sherman, President and CEO of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Suzanne Clark, and Yale Professor Timothy Snyder — were honored for their accomplishments in fostering closer cooperation and mutual understanding between Europe and the United States.

“The vitality of the transatlantic relationship so often relies on the hard work, dedication and leadership of people in all walks of life who are committed to seeing it thrive,” Ambassador Jovita Neliupšienė said. “Our honorees this year embody core EU-U.S. values in the realms of foreign affairs, international business, and academia. All of them have fostered deeper public understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing Europe and the U.S. and enriched the transatlantic partnership in the process.”

Read more about this year’s recipients here, and browse through photos of the evening on our Flickr.

Europe Day USA

This year, the Delegation and Member State partners expanded the Europe Day celebrations across the U.S. through the “Europe Day USA” initiative, which saw twelve cities lighting landmark buildings in blue and gold, flying the European Union flag atop City Halls and Statehouses, and issuing proclamations. From New York City to Key West, and Los Angeles to New Orleans, America joined in on marking the occasion and EU-U.S. friendship and solidarity.

See a complete list of initiatives marking Europe Day across the U.S., along with photos and proclamations, here.

EU Open House

An estimated 40,000 people came through the doors of embassies across Washington for EU Open House, now in its seventeenth year. With dancing and dog shows, chocolates and chemistry, fashion and food— there was something for everyone at this year's edition!

More photos from Open House are here!

Thank you to everyone who joined us in celebrating Europe Day, whether it was by visiting an embassy, toasting the Transatlantic Bridge Awardees, or raising the flag at City Hall. We hope you'll continue to stay curious about the EU and the transatlantic partnership year-round!