英国于1973年加入欧盟的前身欧洲经济共同体，此前它在1963年和1967年两次申请加入，但都被法国总统戴高乐否决。
The UK joined the European Economic Community, the predecessor to the EU, in 1973, on its third attempt, after French President Charles de Gaulle vetoed its applications in 1963 and 1967.