Got an idea for a holiday? Send it to us

Submit Now

Euro Day
120 Shares
120 Shares
WedJan 1

Euro Day – January 1, 2025

Euro Day is celebrated every January 1 in memorial of when 11 European nations adopted the euro, ushering in a new era for the continent. Did you know that the idea of a European currency was raised as early as 1929? But it wasn’t until 70 years later that the euro finally came into existence. The euro is a currency used as a legal tender by 19 countries, including Croatia, Denmark, Sweden, and Hungary. It is also used by non-E.U. member territories such as Andorra, Monaco, Vatican City, Kosovo, and Montenegro.

History of Euro Day

The idea of a single currency for the European continent was first proposed before the League of Nations by Gustav Stresemann, in 1929. This idea came as a result of the aftereffect of World War I, in which more European nations were created, leading to more economic divisions.

The idea of an economic and monetary union in Europe did not take root until 1969, when the European Council tasked the then Prime Minister of Luxembourg, Pierre Werner, to develop plans for reducing currency exchange rate volatility. However, these plans for the European monetary union suffered a setback when the U.S. removed the gold backing from the U.S. dollar, crashing all major currencies.

In 1979, the plan was revived with the introduction of the European Monetary System to stabilize exchange rates and counter inflation by fixing exchange rates onto the European Currency Unit. In 1988, monetary cooperation with a central bank was proposed at the European Council summit. The European Commission, France, and Italy agreed to it, but the British were in opposition. But it didn’t stop other European leaders from signing the Maastricht Treaty on February 7, 1992, forming the European Union.

The name “euro” was adopted for the new currency in 1995, and January 1, 1999, was set as the launch date. At midnight on 1 January 1999, the euro was introduced in non-physical form, and the currencies of the participating nations officially ceased to exist, although their physical currencies (coins and notes) continued to be used as legal tender until January 1, 2002, when euro notes were introduced.

Euro Day timeline

1993
European Union is Born

The E.U. emerges, following the Maastricht Treaty signed in 1992 and enforced in 1993.

1995
The Euro is Born

Euro becomes the name of the new single currency for the 11 participating European nations, who were all members of the E.U.

December 31, 1998
Exchange Rates are Locked

The 11 participating European nations lock the exchange rates of their currencies to each other and the euro.

January 1, 1999
The Euro is Introduced

Euro becomes a legal tender in the 11 participating nations, rendering their local currencies obsolete.

Euro Day FAQs

What was the currency before the euro?

There was no single currency for the countries within the eurozone before the euro was introduced. But these countries’ exchange rates were fixed onto the European Currency Unit. 

Who adopted the euro first?

Euro was first adopted by 11 participating countries that were party to the Maastricht Treaty. That includes France, Italy, Germany, Luxembourg, Spain, Portugal, Finland, Belgium. Austria, Netherlands, and Ireland.

Did the U.K. ever use the euro?

No, the U.K. never used the euro. While still members of the European Union, the U.K. and Denmark negotiated opt-outs that allowed them to continue using their currencies, Pound sterling and Danish krone, respectively.

How To observe Euro Day

  1. Learn more about the history of the euro

    You can use Euro Day to learn more about the euro. Start with the history of the euro in this article and do further research on the internet. Afterward, share your learning on social media while, using the hashtag #EuroDay.

  2. Educate yourself on the history of your country’s currency

    The same applies to the history of your country’s currency. Most of us use money without knowing how it was created and the events that led to its creation. Dedicate Euro Day finding out.

  3. Trade the euro

    Euro Day can be a day for you to venture into forex trading if you have never done it before. Euro is available for trading on the foreign exchange market for anyone with a brokerage account. You can get started with popular apps such as Robinhood that are designed for beginners. But before you start trading, you should take a crash course on forex trading to avoid losing your money.

5 Interesting Facts About The Euro You Did Not Know

  1. 19 E.U. nations use it

    Of the 27 E.U. member states, 19 of them use the euro as the official legal tender

  2. It was first a digital currency

    When the euro was introduced in 1999, it was non-physical and could only be used for electronic and bank transfers.

  3. Non-E.U. members use it

    Aside from European Union member states, countries such as Kosovo, Andorra, Monaco, and Montenegro use the euro.

  4. It’s the world’s second-largest reserve currency

    After the U.S. dollar, the euro is the currency with the largest reserve globally, at 526 billion euros.

  5. Iran uses it for foreign transactions

    There is no love between the U.S. and Iran, which is why the country converted all its foreign assets to the euro and uses it in transactions with other countries.

Why Euro Day Is Important

  1. Euro creates market and price stability

    If you have traveled to a country with a different currency or dealt with foreign businesses, you would know the costs and problems of fluctuating exchange rates. But by introducing the euro in the eurozone, countries have made it possible for a shared economy, where there is little difference in prices, and a stable market. This builds business and consumer confidence. It also encourages growth.

  2. Euro promotes European trade and investment

    As the second-largest reserve currency globally, the euro is a relatively stable currency, which makes the eurozone an attractive region for investment. Plus, since organizations do not need to deal with the cost of shifting exchange rates, they are more willing to trade with businesses in the eurozone.

  3. Euro serves as a form of European identity

    Euro provides people within the eurozone a common European identity, giving them relevance on a worldwide scale and a powerful voice in the global economy.

Euro Day dates

Year Date Day
2025 January 1 Wednesday
2026 January 1 Thursday
2027 January 1 Friday
2028 January 1 Saturday
2029 January 1 Monday
January
Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
 
 
Celebration of Life Week
Celebration of Life Week
Diet Resolution Week
Diet Resolution Week
National Time Consciousness Week
New Year’s Resolutions Week
Silent Record Week
World Series of Beer Pong
Apple Gifting Day
Apple Gifting Day
Commitment Day
Commitment Day
Copyright Law Day
Ellis Island Day
Ellis Island Day
Euro Day
Euro Day
National First-Foot Day
First-Foot Day
Global Family Day
Haitian Independence Day
International Public Domain Day
Mummer's Parade
National Bloody Mary Day
National Hangover Day
National Shepherd Day
New Year's Day
New Year’s Dishonor List Day
New Year’s Dishonor List Day
Polar Bear Plunge Day
Public Domain Day
Ring a Bell Day
Rose Bowl Game
Solemnity of Mary
Sudan Independence Day
Tournament of Roses Parade
Triumph of the Revolution
Triumph of the Revolution
Universal Hour of Peace
Universal Hour of Peace
World Day of Peace
Z Day
Z Day
Adopt a Rescued Bird Month
Apple and Apricot Month
Artichoke and Asparagus Month
Be Kind To Food Servers Month
Bread Machine Baking Month
Bread Machine Baking Month
California Dried Plum Digestive Month
California Dried Plum Digestive Month
California Restaurant Month
California Restaurant Month
Celebration Of Life Month
Celebration Of Life Month
Cervical Health Awareness Month
Cervical Health Awareness Month
Children Impacted by Parent's Cancer Month
Clap 4 Health Month
Dry January
Family Fit Lifestyle Month
Financial Wellness Month
Financial Wellness Month
Get A Balanced Life Month
Get A Balanced Life Month
Get Ireland Active
Get Organized Month
Get Organized Month
Ginuary
International Brain Teaser Month
International Change Your Stars Month
International Child-Centered Divorce Month
International Creativity Month
International Creativity Month
International Quality of Life Month
International Wayfinding Month
International Wealth Mentality Month
Learn to Ski and Snowboard Month
Little Things Mental Health Campaign
Manuary
March of Dimes Birth Defects Prevention Month
National Bath Safety Month
National Be On-Purpose Month
National Birth Defects Prevention Month
National Black Diamond Month
National Blood Donor Month
National Book Blitz Month
National Braille Literacy Month
National CBD Month
National Clean Up Your Computer Month
National Codependency Awareness Month
National Codependency Awareness Month
National Conscience Month
National Eye Care Month
National Eye Care Month
National Fiber Focus Month
National Glaucoma Awareness Month
National Hobby Month
National Hot Tea Month
National Mail Order Gardening Month
National Mail Order Gardening Month
National Meat Month
National Mentoring Month
National Menudo Month
National Oatmeal Month
National Personal Trainer Awareness Month
National Polka Month
National Pre-Pregnancy Awareness Month
National Radon Action Month
National Skating Month
National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month
National Slow Cooking Month
National Soup Month
National Staying Healthy Month
National Sunday Supper Month
National Thank You Month
National Train Your Dog Month
National Volunteer Blood Donor Month
National Wheat Bread Month
Poverty Awareness Month
Poverty in America Awareness Month
Prune Breakfast Month
Receding Gums Awareness Month
Retail Bakers Month
Rising Star Month
Self-Love Month
Shape Up US Month
Stalking Awareness Month
START Child Health campaign
Teen Driving Awareness Month
Teen Driving Awareness Month
Thyroid Awareness Month
Tubers and Dried Fruit Month
Unchain a Dog Month
Veganuary
Walk Your Dog Month

Holidays Straight to Your Inbox

Every day is a holiday!
Receive fresh holidays directly to your inbox.