2000 Vladimir Putin is elected President of Russia

The ex-KGB officer has been lauded for leading Russia out of the 1990 economic crisis and criticized for building a regime that many have described as authoritarian and undemocratic.

1995 The Schengen Agreement enters into force

Within the Schengen Area, which encompasses most of Europe, regular border checks have been abolished.

1991 4 South American countries establish Mercosur

Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay, and Paraguay were the founding members of the Southern Common Market.

1979 The Israel-Egypt Peace Treaty is signed

Egypt’s President Anwar al-Sadat and Israel’s Prime Minister Menachem Begin signed the treaty, which ended 30 years of war between the 2 countries.

1975 The Biological Weapons Convention comes into effect

The treaty bans the development, production and stockpiling of biological and toxin weapons. It has now been ratified by most countries worldwide.