In the early 1970s, while negotiations on the accession of the United Kingdom to the European Communities were taking place in Brussels, British demonstrators express their opposition to the common market and demand that a popular referendum be held.

In 1971, the cartoonist Geisen illustrates the difficult position of Edward Heath, British Prime Minister, who is in favour of the United Kingdom’s accession to the European Communities but is hindered by the terms laid down by the House of Commons and the Opposition, under the watchful eye of Harold Wilson, leader of the Labour Party.

On 20 and 21 January 1971, MPs in the House of Commons discuss the issues involved in the accession of the United Kingdom to the European Communities.

On 17 February 1971, the Belgian daily newspaper Le Soir publishes an interview with Maurice Schumann, French Foreign Minister and President-in-Office of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the European Economic Community, in which he analyses the accession of four new Member States, including the United Kingdom, and emphasises the effects of this accession on the plan for a monetary union.

In June 1971, Alec Douglas-Home, British Foreign Minister, delivers a speech to the House of Commons, in which he explains the importance of the United Kingdom’s accession to the European common market.

Prior to the vote in the House of Commons, on 28 October 1971, on the principle of the accession of the United Kingdom to the European Communities, demonstrators take to the streets of London in support of British participation in the common market.

On 12 July 1971, German weekly Der Spiegel considers the information campaign launched by British Prime Minister, Edward Heath, in an attempt to convince his compatriots that the idea of the United Kingdom's accession to the European Economic Community (EEC) is well-founded.

On 22 October 1971, in anticipation of the forthcoming vote in the House of Commons on the United Kingdom’s accession to the European Economic Community (EEC), the German daily newspaper Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung analyses the issues surrounding British accession.

On 28 October 1971, after lengthy debates, the House of Commons approves the United Kingdom’s membership of the European Economic Community (EEC) in a vote immediately described as historic.

Dans ses Mémoires, Edward Heath, ancien Premier ministre britannique, se souvient du vote favorable de la Chambre des Communes qui, le 17 février 1972, se prononce par 309 voix contre 301 pour l'adoption de la demande d'adhésion de la Grande-Bretagne à la CEE.

On 28 October 1971, Walter Scheel, German Foreign Minister, expresses his satisfaction at the decision taken by the British Parliament to approve the United Kingdom’s accession to the European Economic Community (EEC).

On 28 October 1971, the House of Commons votes in favour of the accession of the United Kingdom to the European Economic Community (EEC). However, a few hours before the vote, this RTL report shows that the future of the latter remains uncertain.

On 4 October 1971, Albert Coppé, Member of the Commission of the European Communities responsible for Social Affairs, receives Northern Irish members of the British delegation for the negotiations on the United Kingdom’s accession to the European Communities.

On 28 October 1971, the House of Commons provisionally approves the accession of the United Kingdom to the European Economic Community (EEC) by 356 votes to 244. The following day, German daily newspaper Süddeutsche Zeitung analyses the stance adopted during the debate by the various British political parties.

On 29 October 1971, the headlines in the British press report that Britain is set to join the Common Market.

On 29 October 1971, Georges Berthoin, head of the delegation of the European Communities to the United Kingdom, sends a telex to the Members of the European Commission confirming the British Parliament’s vote in favour of the country’s accession to the EEC.

In an interview with France-Inter on 29 October 1971, Maurice Schumann, French Foreign Minister, welcomes the positive vote in the House of Commons on the issue of British accession to the European Economic Community (EEC).

Published in French daily newspaper Le Figaro, this cartoon by Faizant depicts the efforts made by the six founder countries of the European Economic Community (EEC) to pave the way for the United Kingdom's accession to the common market.

‘About time …' On 28 October 1971, by a ‘historic' vote, the House of Commons approves the United Kingdom's accession to the European Communities and opens up a new chapter in the history of cooperation between European nations that were formerly in conflict.

On 29 October 1971, the Italian daily newspaper Corriere della Sera welcomes the House of Commons decision to approve, in principle, the accession of the United Kingdom to the European Communities.

In its editorial of 29 October 1971, French daily newspaper Le Figaro comments on the approval, by the British parliament, of the principle of the UK's accession to the European common market. .

'Successful landing manoeuvre'. The United Kingdom finally rejects its isolationist policy and its insular tradition and joins the united Europe.

On 30 October 1971, German daily newspaper Die Welt comments on the favourable vote by the House of Commons which, two days earlier, approved, in principle, the accession of the United Kingdom to the European Economic Community (EEC).

On 30 and 31 October and 1 November 1971, in its coverage of the decision of the House of Commons provisionally to approve the accession of the United Kingdom to the EEC, German daily newspaper Süddeutsche Zeitung considers the future role of the United Kingdom within the European common market.

Edward Heath, UK representative at the negotiations on the accession of the United Kingdom to the European Communities, signs, on 22 January 1972 in Brussels, the Accession Treaty in his capacity as Prime Minister.

In February 1972, Sir Robin Turton, Conservative Member of the UK Parliament, explains why he opposed the United Kingdom’s accession to the European Communities.

On 28 March 1972, British Labour MP, Tony Benn, writes a letter to Sicco Mansholt, President of the European Commission, in which he sets out the reasons for Labour's opposition to the accession of the United Kingdom to the European common market.

On 12 April 1972, Sicco Mansholt, President of the European Commission, sends a letter to Labour MP, Tony Benn, in which he denounces the anti-European attitude of the British Labour Party.

In December 1972, the UK survey agency, Gallup, publishes the results of a poll on the trends in the British perceptions of the European Common Market between 1957 and 1972.

On 1 January 1973, the accession of Denmark, Ireland and the United Kingdom brings the number of Member States of the European Community to nine.

On 21 January 1972, the day before the signature of the Treaties of Accession of the United Kingdom, Ireland, Denmark and Norway to the European Communities, Franco Maria Malfatti, President of the European Commission, declares his satisfaction to the press.

On 21 January 1972, the eve of the signing of accession treaties by Denmark, Ireland, Norway and the United Kingdom, Franco Maria Malfatti, President of the European Commission of the European Economic Community, expresses his satisfaction.

Treaty concerning the accession to the European Economic Community (EEC) and the European Atomic Energy Community (EAEC) of the Kingdom of Denmark, Ireland, the Kingdom of Norway and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

On 22 January 1972, at the ceremony to mark the signature, in Brussels, of the Treaties of Accession of Denmark, Ireland, Norway and the United Kingdom to the European Communities, Franco Maria Malfatti, President of the European Commission, delivers a speech on the historical impact of the enlargement of the Communities.

On 22 January 1972, at the opening of the ceremony held to mark the signing of the Accession Treaties of Denmark, Ireland, Norway and the United Kingdom to the European Communities, Franco Maria Malfatti, President of the European Commission, delivers an address at the Egmont Palace in Brussels in which he welcomes the accession of the four countries to the Communities.

On 22 January 1972, at the ceremony to mark the signing, in Brussels, of the acts relating to the accession of the four applicant countries (Denmark, Ireland, Norway and the United Kingdom) to the European Economic Communities, Gaston Thorn, President-in-Office of the Council of the European Communities, delivers a speech in which he reiterates the importance of the process of European integration.

On 22 January 1972, at the opening of the ceremony held to mark the signing of the Accession Treaties of Denmark, Ireland, Norway and the United Kingdom to the European Communities, Gaston Thorn, Luxembourg Foreign Minister and President-in-Office of the Council of the European Communities, delivers an address at the Egmont Palace in Brussels in which he pays tribute to the principal actors in the accession negotiations and outlines the new prospects for the Ten.

On 22 January 1972, at the signature of the Treaty of Accession to the European Economic Community (EEC), the Irish Prime Minister, John Lynch, highlights the historical significance of the EEC enlargement process.

On 22 January 1972, the United Kingdom Delegation signs the Treaty of Accession to the European Economic Community (EEC) in Brussels. On this occasion, British Prime Minister, Edward Heath, focuses on the new role of the European Community on the international stage.

On 22 January 1972, Danish Prime Minister Jens Otto Krag signs the Treaty of Accession to the European Economic Community (EEC) and makes three wishes for the future of the European Communities.

On 22 January 1972 in Brussels, Norwegian Prime Minister Trygve Bratteli signs the Treaty of Accession to the European Economic Community (EEC) and delivers a speech on the issues related to EEC enlargement.

On 22 January 1972, in Brussels, Edward Heath, British Prime Minister, signs the United Kingdom's Treaty of Accession to the European Communities one hour later than anticipated after having been sprayed with ink by a demonstrator opposed to British accession upon his arrival at the Palais d'Egmont.

On 22 January 1972, in the Egmont Palace in Brussels, Edward Heath, British Prime Minister, signs the Treaty of Accession of the United Kingdom to the European Communities. The ceremony, however, is delayed by one hour following a violent intrusion from a British opponent to accession who sprays ink over the British Prime Minister.

On 22 January 1972, at the opening of the ceremony held to mark the signing of the Accession Treaties of Denmark, Ireland, Norway and the United Kingdom to the European Communities, Gaston Eyskens, Belgian Prime Minister, delivers an address in which he welcomes the accession of the four countries to the Communities.

On 22 January 1972, as the Treaty of Accession of the United Kingdom to the European Communities is signed, Edward Heath, British Prime Minister, is the victim of his European commitment as a young demonstrator throws ink at his face.

On 22 January 1972 in Brussels, the British Delegation signs the Treaty of Accession to the European Communities. From left to right: Sir Alec Douglas-Home, Foreign Secretary, Edward Heath, Prime Minister, and Geoffrey Rippon, Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and responsible for the accession negotiations.

On 22 January 1972, Walter Hallstein, Joseph Bech, Paul-Henri Spaak, Jean Monnet, Jean-Charles Snoy et d'Oppuers and Jean Duvieusart, in particular, attend the ceremony to mark the signature of the Treaties of Accession of Denmark, Ireland, Norway and the United Kingdom to the European Communities.

On 22 January 1972, Franco Maria Malfatti, President of the European Commission, congratulates Edward Heath, British Prime Minister, who has just signed the United Kingdom's Treaty of Accession to the European Communities.

On 22 January 1972, as the United Kingdom’s Treaty of Accession to the European Communities is signed in Brussels, Jean Monnet, President of the Action Committee for the United States of Europe (ACUSE), welcomes this enlargement of the Communities for which he has so tirelessly campaigned and outlines the difficulties and the implications of the enlarged Europe.

On 22 January 1972 at the Palais d'Egmont in Brussels, following 19 months of diplomatic negotiations, representatives of Denmark, Ireland, Norway and the United Kingdom sign the Treaties of Accession to the European Communities.

As the clock strikes midnight on 1 January 1973, British nationals at an English pub located in Brussels' European district celebrate the United Kingdom's entry into the European Economic Community (EEC).

On 1 January 1973, a section of the British press enthusiastically announces the United Kingdom's entry into the European common market.

On 1 January 1973, Sir Ewen Fergusson, United Kingdom Permanent Representative to the European Communities, presents his credentials to André Dubois, Director-Secretary General of the Council.

On 1 January 1973, the United Kingdom becomes a member of the European Communities. Two days later, French President, Georges Pompidou, adresses a message of welcome to the readers of the Times newspaper.

On 6 January 1973, the United Kingdom having been a member of the European Communities for less than one week, opponents of the common market demonstrate in front of the London Opera House - where, at the same time, an official gala was being held to mark the creation of the Europe of Nine - to condemn this decision and to lambaste the Prime Minister, Edward Heath, who they accuse of having betrayed the country.

On 15 January 1973, John Davies, Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, et Sir Alec Douglas-Home, British Foreign Minister, represent the United Kingdom at the first Council of Ministers of the Nine, in Brussels.

In 1973, Aims of Industry, an independent free enterprise corporate lobby group formed by the leaders of the major UK companies, welcomes the United Kingdom’s accession to the European Economic Community (EEC) and outlines the advantages of European integration for the UK’s industry and economy.

On 22 January 1972, the German daily newspaper Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung welcomes the United Kingdom’s accession to the European Communities and calls for a political union in Europe.

On 22 January 1972, in its coverage of the solemn ceremony to mark the signing, in Brussels, of the Acts of Accession to the European Communities by the four applicant countries (Denmark, Ireland, Norway and the United Kingdom), the French daily newspaper Le Monde discusses the implications of a new Europe of the Ten.

On 24 January 1972, commenting on the signing of the new Treaties of Accession, the Belgian daily newspaper La Libre Belgique speculates on the United Kingdom’s European policy.

On 24 January 1972, the French daily newspaper Le Figaro comments on the United Kingdom’s accession to the European Communities and speculates on the historic nature of the event.

On 24 January 1972, the French communist daily newspaper L’Humanité criticises the recent enlargement of Europe and describes what it sees as bloc politics.

In its April 1972 issue, the federalist journal L’Europe en formation presents the point of view of Richard Mayne, Director of the Federal Trust for Education and Research in London, on trends in British opinion towards the United Kingdom’s accession to the European Communities.

In April 1972, three months after the signing of the United Kingdom’s Treaty of Accession to the European Communities, Roberto Gaja, Secretary-General of the Italian Foreign Ministry, writing under the pseudonym of Roberto Guidi, analyses the consequences of the first enlargement, with particular regard to Italy’s foreign policy.

On 1 January 1973, the United Kingdom becomes a member of the European Communities. The following day, daily newspaper Luxemburger Wort analyses British reactions to accession and lambastes a certain British isolationist attitude.

On 2 January 1973, Italian daily newspaper Corriere della Sera comments on the United Kingdom's accession to the European Communities and analyses British foreign policy.

On 4 January 1973, in its coverage of the United Kingdom's accession to the European Communities, daily newspaper Luxemburger Wort examines the political motivation for the decision taken in London.

In July 1973, Stuart Holland, a former adviser to Labour Prime Minister Harold Wilson on economic and political affairs, describes the European policy of the British Labour Party in an article for the French monthly newspaper Le Monde diplomatique.

In this interview, Edmund Wellenstein, European Commission Director-General for External Relations between 1973 and 1976, describes the impact of the arrival of officials from the new Member States, particularly from the United Kingdom, on the work and general atmosphere at the Commission.