Europe Day was introduced in 1985 by the European Communities (the predecessor organisation of the EU). The date commemorates the Schuman Declaration of 9 May 1950 which proposed the pooling of French and West German coal and steel industries, leading to the creation of the European Coal and Steel Community, the first European Community (established in 1952).

Following the foundation of the EU in 1993, observance of Europe Day by national and regional authorities increased significantly. The EU's choice of the date of foundation of the European Coal and Steel Community rather than that of the EU itself established a narrative in which Schuman's speech was concerned with inducing economic growth and cementing peace in Europe.