Practical organisation and symbols
Practical organisation and symbols
The progress of the Hague Congress
Official poster for the Congress of Europe in The Hague (7–10 May 1948)
TextPoster published for the Congress of Europe held in The Hague from 7 to 10 May 1948. The red ‘E’ chosen as the symbol for a united Europe will be replaced definitively by a green ‘E’ some months later when the European Movement is established in Brussels.
The opening of the Hague Congress (The Hague, 7 May 1948)
VideoOn 7, 8, 9 and 10 May 1948, various militant pro-European associations meet in The Hague under the honorary chairmanship of the former British Prime Minister, Winston Churchill, to encourage governments and the general public to act in favour of a United Europe. The event leads, five months later, to the establishment of the European Movement which will subsequently play a part in the setting up of the Council of Europe in Strasbourg.
The Hague Congress (7 May 1948)
VideoMeeting from 7 to 10 May 1948 in The Hague under the honorary chairmanship of the former British Prime Minister, Winston Churchill, the various pro-European movements call for the establishment of a united Europe.
The Hague Congress (7–10 May 1948)
VideoHeld from 7 to 10 May 1948 under the honorary chairmanship of the former British Prime Minister, Winston Churchill, the Congress of Europe in The Hague is attended by over 800 pro-European activists who determine the political, economic, social and cultural frameworks for the establishment of a united Europe.
The opening of the Congress of Europe in The Hague (7 May 1948)
ImageFrom 7 to 10 May 1948, some 800 activists representing the various European movements meet at the Hague Congress under the honorary chairmanship of Winston Churchill.
General view of the meeting room at the Hague Congress (7 May 1948)
ImageOn 7 May 1948, Willem Adriaan Johan Visser, Mayor of the City of The Hague, delivers the opening address at the Congress of Europe in The Hague, observed by Princess Juliana of the Netherlands and her husband, Prince Bernhard.
Address given by Winston Churchill at the Congress of Europe in The Hague (7 May 1948)
ImageOn 7 May 1948, Winston Churchill, former British Prime Minister, addresses the Congress of Europe in The Hague of which he is the honorary Chairman and warns specifically against the threat to the future of European unification posed by the Soviet Union.
Welcoming address given by W. A. J. Visser to the delegates at the Congress of Europe in The Hague (7 May 1948)
ImageOn 7 May 1948, Willem Adriaan Johan Visser, Mayor of the City of The Hague, delivers the welcoming address at the Congress of Europe in The Hague, observed by Princess Juliana of the Netherlands and her husband, Prince Bernhard.
Address given by Winston Churchill at the Congress of Europe in The Hague (7 May 1948)
ImageOn 7 May 1948, at the opening session of the Congress of Europe in The Hague, Winston Churchill, former British Prime Minister and Honorary Chairman of the Congress, takes the stand in the Ridderzaal of the Binnenhof, home to the Netherlands’ Parliament, to deliver an address in which he warns, in particular, against the threat represented by the Soviet Union for the future of European unification.
Address given by P. A. Kerstens at the opening of the Hague Congress (7 May 1948)
ImageOn 7 May 1948, Senator Pieter Adriaan Kerstens, Vice-President of the European League for Economic Cooperation (ELEC) and Chairman of the Dutch Committee for a United Europe, gives the inaugural address at the Congress of Europe in The Hague in the presence, in particular, of Winston Churchill, former British Prime Minister, Paul Ramadier, Princess Juliana of the Netherlands and her husband, Prince Bernhard.
Address given by P. A. Kerstens at the Congress of Europe in The Hague (7 May 1948)
ImageOn 7 May 1948, in the presence of Winston Churchill, Paul Ramadier, Princess Juliana of the Netherlands, her husband Prince Bernhard, and others, Senator Pieter Adriaan Kerstens, Vice-President of the European League for Economic Cooperation (ELEC) and Chairman of the Dutch Committee for a United Europe, gives the opening address at the Congress of Europe in The Hague.
Address given by Paul Ramadier at the Congress of Europe in The Hague (The Hague, 7 May 1948)
ImageOn 7 May 1948, at the opening session of the Congress of Europe in The Hague, Paul Ramadier, former French Prime Minister, delivers an address in which he places particular emphasis on the importance of progressing beyond the rule of unanimity and national sovereignty to build a European union with the support of the general public.
Winston Churchill and Paul Ramadier at the Congress of Europe in The Hague (The Hague, 7 May 1948)
ImageOn 7 May 1948, the Congress of Europe opens in The Hague in the presence, in particular, of former British Prime Minister Winston Churchill, Honorary Chairman of the Congress (left) and of former French Prime Minister Paul Ramadier, Chairman of the Political Committee of the Congress (right). In the background, the photo also shows Spanish writer Salvador de Madariaga, Chairman of the Cultural Committee (left), and Conservative MP Duncan Sandys, President of the International Committee of the Movements for European Unity.
Address given by Winston Churchill at the Congress of Europe in The Hague (7 May 1948)
TextOn 7 May 1948, at the opening session of the Congress of Europe in The Hague, Winston Churchill, former British Prime Minister and Honorary President of the Congress, delivers an address from the platform in the Ridderzaal (Knights’ Hall) at the Binnenhof, home to the Netherlands’ Parliament, in which he warns of the threat which the Soviet Union represents for the future of European unification.
Address given by Henri Brugmans (The Hague, 7 May 1948)
TextOn 7 May 1948, Henri Brugmans, President of the Bureau of the Union of European Federalists (UEF), delivers an opening address at the Congress of Europe in The Hague in which he states that European unity on a supranational basis is a prerequisite for all efforts towards international understanding.
Cigarette packet presented to participants in the Congress of Europe (7–10 May 1948)
TextDuring the Congress of Europe in The Hague, all the participants receive a packet of cigarettes bearing the official colours of the event as a gift from the Dutch authorities and the Organising Committee.
Book of coupons for use in restaurants (May 1948)
TextDuring the Congress of Europe in The Hague, all participants receive from the Organising Committee a book of coupons entitling them to reductions in some of the city’s restaurants.
Pass giving access to the proceedings of the Congress of Europe in The Hague (9 May 1948)
TextDuring the Congress of Europe in The Hague, all delegates receive a pass allowing them to take part freely in the proceedings held in the Ridderzaal.
Plan of the Ridderzaal in The Hague during the Congress of Europe (7–11 May 1948)
TextMost of the debates and plenary sessions at the Congress of Europe in The Hague are held in the Ridderzaal.
Brochure for the participants attending the Congress of Europe in The Hague (May 1948)
TextOn 7 May 1948, on their arrival at The Hague, the participants attending the Congress of Europe receive from the organising committee a brochure containing the programme of the Congress and useful practical information.
British booklet on the opening address given by Winston Churchill at the Congress of Europe in The Hague (1948)
TextIn June 1948, the United Europe Movement publishes a booklet which includes a transcription of the address given on 7 May 1948 by the former British Prime Minister, Winston Churchill, at the opening session of the Congress of Europe in The Hague.
Winston Churchill
PassportHenri Brugmans
ImageOn 7 May 1948, Henri Brugmans, President of the Bureau of the Union of European Federalists (UEF), delivers an opening address at the Congress of Europe in The Hague in which he states that European unity on a supranational basis is a prerequisite for all efforts towards international understanding.
The European rally in Amsterdam
Pass issued for the European rally in Amsterdam (9 May 1948)
TextOn 9 May 1948, on the fringes of the Congress of Europe held in The Hague, national delegates take part in a major European rally held on the Dam, in Amsterdam, and attended by a crowd of some 40 000 people. The former British Prime Minister Winston Churchill figures among the speakers.
The European rally in Amsterdam
VIP gallery at the European rally held in Amsterdam (9 May 1948)
ImageOn 9 May 1948, on the margins of Congress of Europe in The Hague, the delegates take part in a major European rally attended by a crowd of some 40 000 people on Dam Square, Amsterdam. The photo shows, in particular (from left to right): Salvador de Madariaga, Winston Churchill, Pieter Kerstens, Paul Reynaud, Anthony Eden, Paul Ramadier and Henri Brugmans.
Address given by P. A. Kerstens at the Amsterdam European rally (9 May 1948)
ImageOn 9 May 1948, on the margins of the Congress of Europe in The Hague, the delegates take part in a major European rally on Dam Square, Amsterdam, which is attended by some 40 000 people. At the rally, Senator Pieter Adriaan Kerstens, Vice-President of the Independent League for European Cooperation (ILEC) and Chairman of the Dutch Committee for a United Europe, takes to the stand and addresses the crowd.
Address given by Winston Churchill at the European rally in Amsterdam (9 May 1948)
TextOn 9 May 1948, Winston Churchill, former British Prime Minister and Honorary Chairman of the Congress of Europe in The Hague, addresses the crowd at the rally held in Amsterdam.
Winston Churchill at the European rally held in Amsterdam (9 May 1948)
ImageOn 9 May 1948, on the margins of the Congress of Europe in The Hague, the delegates take part in a major European rally attended by a crowd of some 40 000 people on Dam Square, Amsterdam.
Winston Churchill at the Amsterdam European rally (9 May 1948)
ImageOn 9 May 1948, on the margins of the Congress of Europe in The Hague, Winston Churchill, former British Prime Minister, takes part in a European rally on Dam Square, Amsterdam, which is attended by some 40 000 people. From left to right: Pieter A. Kerstens, Winston Churchill and Arnold Jan d’Ailly, Mayor of Amsterdam.
Europe Unite score (1948)
TextOn 9 May 1948, on the margins of the Congress of Europe in The Hague, the delegates attend a huge rally on Dam Square, Amsterdam. A score is distributed and performed by a crowd of some 40 000 people in honour of the European cause.
The European rally in Amsterdam (9 May 1948)
VideoOn 9 May 1948, on the margins of the Congress of Europe in The Hague, the delegates take part in a major European rally on Dam Square, Amsterdam, which is attended by a crowd of some 40 000 people. Speakers at the rally include Winston Churchill, former British Prime Minister and Honorary Chairman of the Congress.
‘The Good European’ from the Daily Mail (10 May 1948)
TextOn 10 May 1948, the British daily newspaper Daily Mail publishes the address delivered the previous day by the former British Prime Minister, Winston Churchill, during a rally held in Amsterdam on the sidelines of the Congress of Europe.
Reactions in Germany
‘Pan-Europe — a distant hope’ from Die Welt (5 May 1948)
TextOn 5 May 1948, in an article published in the German daily newspaper Die Welt just before the Congress of Europe in The Hague, the British economist, David Mitrany, outlines the implications of a federal structure for Europe.
'A European federation is necessary' from Süddeutsche Zeitung (8 May 1948)
TextThe German newspaper Süddeutsche Zeitung examines the items on the agenda of the Hague Congress taking place between 7 and 10 May 1948. In particular, it considers the fate of Germany.
‘The Hague’ from Die Welt (8 May 1948)
TextOn 8 May 1948, reporting on the opening of the Hague Congress of Europe, the German daily newspaper Die Welt welcomes the sending of a German delegation to the Netherlands and specifically refers to the British Labour Party's decision not to attend the Congress.
'In the sun' from Der Spiegel (15 May 1948)
TextIn its edition of 15 May 1948, the German magazine Der Spiegel describes the proceedings at and the impact of the Congress of Europe held in The Hague and draws particular attention to the role that Winston Churchill played there.
Reactions in Belgium
‘The Hague Congress or “Europeans” without Europe’ from Le Drapeau Rouge (7 May 1948)
TextOn 7 May 1948, the Belgian Communist daily newspaper Le Drapeau Rouge deplores the Congress of Europe taking place in The Hague, judging it to be a meeting of capitalist leaders opposed to Socialist ideas.
Reactions in France
‘UNION. Basis for the 20th century revolution’ from L’Époque (6 May 1948)
TextOn 6 May 1948, in an article published in the Paris daily newspaper L’Époque, Jean-Pierre Gouzy, member of the Executive Committee of the French Section of the Socialist Movement for the United States of Europe and member of the French Delegation to the Congress of Europe in The Hague, calls on pro-European activists to unite in order to build a federal Europe.
‘The Congress of Europe' from L'Aurore (7 May 1948)
TextOn 7 May 1948, the French daily newspaper L’Aurore identifies the implications and challenges of the Congress of Europe due to open the same day in The Hague.
Front page of the French daily newspaper Le Monde on the Congress of Europe in The Hague (8 May 1948)
TextOn 8 May 1948, the French daily newspaper Le Monde leads with the address given the previous day by Winston Churchill, former British Prime Minister, at the opening of the Congress of Europe in The Hague.
Front page of the French daily newspaper L’Aurore on the Congress of Europe in The Hague (8 May 1948)
TextOn 8 May 1948, the French daily newspaper L’Aurore leads with the address given the previous day by the former British Prime Minister, Winston Churchill, at the opening of the Congress of Europe in The Hague.
The issues involved in the Congress of Europe in The Hague as seen by the French magazine Une semaine dans le monde (8 May 1948)
TextOn 8 May 1948, as the Congress of Europe opens in The Hague, the French magazine Une semaine dans le monde illustrates the process of European unification, referring to the Marshall Plan, WEU and the OEEC, and outlines the main political issues involved.
‘The Europe of Daladier' from L'Humanité (8 May 1948)
TextOn 8 May 1948, the French Communist daily newspaper L’Humanité harshly criticises the Congress of Europe held in The Hague and denounces its main participants.
‘“A United Europe is of vital importance,” declares Mr Churchill’ from Le Monde (8 May 1948)
TextThe French daily newspaper Le Monde comments on the address given on 7 May 1948 by Winston Churchill, former British Prime Minister, at the opening ceremony of the Congress of Europe in The Hague.
‘Tomorrow, in The Hague, Churchill, Spaak, Paul Reynaud and more than 800 eminent Europeans will lay the foundations of a genuine United States of Europe’ from L’Époque (6 May 1948)
TextOn 8 May 1948, in an article published in the Paris daily newspaper L'Époque, Jean-Pierre Gouzy, a member of the Executive Committee of the French Section of the Socialist Movement for the United States of Europe and a member of the French Delegation to the Congress of Europe in The Hague, announces the opening of the Congress the following day and sets out the main political implications thereof.
‘The Congress of Europe has just been held in The Hague’ from La République Moderne (May 1948)
TextIn May 1948, the French twice monthly journal La République Moderne, mouthpiece of the Cercles Socialistes, Fédéralistes et Communautaires (Socialist, Federalist and Communitarian Circles), reports on the organisation of the Congress of Europe in The Hague and sets out the main highlights.
Reactions in Luxembourg
Front page of the Tageblatt on the Congress of Europe in The Hague (8 May 1948)
TextOn 8 May 1948, the Luxembourg Socialist daily newspaper Tageblatt leads with the opening of the Congress of Europe in The Hague.
‘Sounds of war in the Ridderzaal' from the Zeitung vum Lëtzeburger Vollek (14 May 1948)
TextOn 14 May 1948, the Luxembourg Communist daily newspaper Zeitung vum Lëtzeburger Vollek criticises the economic and political thrust of the addresses delivered on 7 May 1948 by the former British Conservative Prime Minister, Winston Churchill, and by the Dutch Catholic Senator, Pieter A. Kerstens, Vice-President of the Independent League for Economic Cooperation (ILEC), at the opening of the Congress of Europe in The Hague.
Reactions in Italy
‘Message from Count Sforza to the Hague Congress’ from Il Popolo (7 May 1948)
TextOn 7 May 1948, commenting on the opening of the Congress of Europe in The Hague, the daily newspaper Il Popolo, official mouthpiece of the Italian party Christian Democracy, publishes the message of support given on this occasion by Count Caro Sforza, Italian Foreign Minister, to Winston Churchill, former British Prime Minister and Honorary Chairman of the Congress.
Reactions in Italy
‘“Lord” Churchill has spoken: extend the war bloc’ from L’Unità (8 May 1948)
TextOn 8 May 1948, commenting on the opening of the Congress of Europe in The Hague the previous day, the Italian Communist daily newspaper L’Unità harshly criticises the aims of pro-European activists and deplores the risk of enslavement for European workers.
‘Churchill advocates a European unity that excludes any form of totalitarianism’ from Il nuovo Corriere della Sera (8 May 1948)
TextOn 7 May 1948, the Italian daily newspaper Il nuovo Corriere della Sera comments on the opening session of the Congress of Europe in The Hague, making particular reference to the main thrust of the address given by the former British Prime Minister, Winston Churchill.
‘In The Hague, the arms dealers continue their talks’ from L’Unità (9 May 1948)
TextOn 9 May 1948, the Italian Communist daily newspaper L’Unità condemns the objectives of the Congress of Europe in The Hague, which it believes are for the establishment of a capitalist Europe of bankers and arms dealers.
‘Impressions on the first day of the Hague Congress’ from L’Osservatore Romano (9 May 1948)
TextOn 9 May 1948, the Italian daily newspaper L’Osservatore Romano, published by the Vatican Information Service, gives its first impressions on the opening session of the Congress of Europe in The Hague.
‘Absolute parity requested in The Hague for countries represented by exiles as well’ from Il nuovo Corriere della Sera (9 May 1948)
TextOn 9 May 1948, commenting on the opening of the Congress of Europe in The Hague, the Italian daily newspaper Il nuovo Corriere della Sera describes the action taken by former British Prime Minister Winston Churchill in support of European unity and emphasises the particular place held by the peoples from the countries of Eastern Europe.
Reactions in the Netherlands
‘European thinking’ from the Nieuwe Rotterdamse Courant (3 May 1948)
TextOn 3 May 1948, a few days before the opening of the Congress of Europe in The Hague, the Dutch liberal daily newspaper Nieuwe Rotterdamse Courant summarises the context and organisation of the Congress and the political issues surrounding it.
‘Welcome!’ from Het Parool (7 May 1948)
TextOn 7 May 1948, the Dutch Social Democratic daily newspaper Het Parool considers the issues involved in the Congress of Europe in The Hague, as well as its organisation.
‘Battle for Europe’ from De Volkskrant (8 May 1948)
TextOn 8 May 1948, as the Congress of Europe is held in The Hague, the Dutch daily newspaper De Volkskrant outlines the action taken by the former British Prime Minister, Winston Churchill, in support of European unity.
‘The E of Europe dominates the urban landscape of The Hague’ from the Nieuwe Rotterdamse Courant (8 May 1948)
TextOn 8 May 1948, the Dutch liberal daily newspaper Nieuwe Rotterdamse Courant gives an account of the highlights of the official opening session of the Congress of Europe in The Hague.
Reactions in the United Kingdom
‘The Grand Design’ from the Daily Mail (8 May 1948)
TextOn 8 May 1948, the British daily newspaper Daily Mail reports on the address delivered the previous day by the former British Prime Minister, Winston Churchill, at the opening of the Congress of Europe in The Hague.
'Mr. Churchill's day at The Hague' from The Manchester Guardian (8 May 1948)
TextOn 8 May 1948, referring to the implications of the Congress of Europe in The Hague, the British daily newspaper The Manchester Guardian reports on the highlights of the address delivered the previous day by the former British Prime Minister, Winston Churchill, at the opening of the Congress.