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 The Council of Europe - 800 million Europeans
The European anthem

In 1972 the Committee of Ministers adopted Herbert von Karajan's musical arrangement of the prelude to the "Ode to Joy" from Beethoven's Ninth Symphony as the European anthem. It is played at European ceremonies.

Europe Day

In 1964 the Committee of Ministers decided that 5 May, the anniversary of the founding of the Council of Europe, should be celebrated as Europe Day. Its purpose is to involve the public more closely in European unification.
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A political organisation set up in 1949, the Council of Europe works to promote democracy and human rights continent-wide. It also develops common responses to social, cultural and legal challenges in its 47 member states.
2002 - The Council of Europe Information Office - Tbilisi.