Explore the Tumultuous History of the European Union on Its 60th Anniversary

With Brexit negotiations set to begin in the coming months and a host of controversial candidates on the ballot for upcoming European elections, the 60th anniversary of the European Union comes at a fraught moment for the continent.

Despite challenges to its authority, however, the EU and its governing branches remain some of the most powerful voices in Europe today, regulating everything from trade to foreign visas.

To evaluate the successes and failures of the EU in its current form and to envision what is in store for the future, readers need to go back to its very foundations, which took place in the wake of World War II.

Following the Paris Peace Treaties in 1945 that ended years of war among neighboring nations in Europe, the continent was grieving the loss of its dead while struggling to rebuild entire towns and even cities that had been practically leveled to the ground.

Lawmakers throughout the continent and throughout the world searched for preventive solutions to stop anything nearing the bloodshed of the recent war. 

While the EU began as a group of trade unions, some have argued that from the start it always aimed to be much more: It sought to serve as a safeguard against World War III.

12 Photos That Make Us Miss the Golden Age of Flying

With so many complaints about airlines today from baggage fees to limited in-flight service, it seems nearly impossible to imagine a time where flying was luxurious. But in honor of Scandinavian Airlines’ 70th anniversary, the company has released select images showing off the Golden Age of plane travel.

Taken in the 1950s through 1980s, these photos reveal the lengths they would go to provide a fine dining experience—a far cry from the microwave meals we have today. The pictures show smiling guests as they are greeted by flight attendants who are carting everything from caviar and lobster to a whole leg of carved ham.

The cabin crew is seen using real knives, clearly a sign that these flights were before the days of constant security threats. And there would even be a chef in formal garb, down to the toques, preparing a seafood platter for the passengers.

Other features of this nostalgic time included the use of porcelain teacups, and guests were offered a wide variety of drinks including beer, wine, and champagne to complement their trips. In addition, many of these photos were taken before there were different classes on the airplanes, so everyone got the royal treatment.

Menu items (yes they had menus) at that time featured things like consommé, roast chicken, crepes with mushrooms and bacon, and Bavarian cream with rum.

More images are set to be released closer to the anniversary, but take a look through these incredible images of the Golden Age of flying in the meantime.