A Europe consisting of many national markets would be economically unthinkable today. Yet, the history of the European single market is just half a century old. Not always did everything go smoothly, but besides justified criticism about the administrative insuffiencies achievements and merits are often forgotten. The Treaties of Rome, which are the basis of the European market, will be celebrating their 50th anniversary on March 25th. For this reason the EU commission publishes an anniversary brochure containing comprehensive information on the history of the EU. 