January 1 is Euro Day, the currency used in 19 European countries, out of the 28 EU member states.
On December 16, 1999, the name "Euro" was officially adopted for the single currency, and it began to exist on January 1, 1999.
For more than 30 years, European leaders have planned to issue one currency to the entire continent. After long and difficult negotiations, and much opposition from Britain (which to this day uses its own currency, the Pound Sterling), the currency was finally born in 1999 and is currently used by some 343 million Europeans in Austria, Estonia, Italy, Ireland, Belgium, Germany, the Netherlands, Greece , Luxembourg, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Slovenia, Slovakia, Spain, Portugal, Finland, France and Cyprus.
The name of the currency is adapted in each country to the pronunciation of the word Europe in the language used. In Germany, for example, the continent is called "Europa" and therefore the currency is called "Euro". In Italian and Spanish they also say "Europa" and the currency is called "Euro". In Russian they say Yevropa and the currency is called Yevro. In English, the currency is called "Euro" after the continent "Europe".
How to celebrate Euro Day?
Today is a perfect day to learn about the currency, which in the future will be used by more countries. One can also learn about the culture of the European countries that use it and their previous currencies.
