This Day in History: Maastricht Treaty that created the E.U. signed in 1992

The following are some of the major events to have occurred on February 7:

1971 – In a referendum, Switzerland voted in favour of female suffrage.

1986 – Haitian President Jean-Claude Duvalier flees country, ending one-family rule.

1992 – European Community nations signed the Maastricht Treaty that created the European Union and led to the launch of the euro currency.

1999 – King Hussein of Jordan died from cancer after ruling since 1952. Crown Prince Abdullah became king.

2005 – Cuba, a country known for its fine cigars and where more than half of adults smoke, banned smoking in public.

2008 – Greece’s Orthodox Church elected a moderate and popular bishop, Metropolitan of Thebes Hieronymos, as its new head.

2009 – Betty Jameson, one of the 13 founding members of the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) and a winner of 13 professional titles, including three majors, died.

2009 – Fatal Australian bushfires in Victoria state.

2012 – Maldives President Mohamed Nasheed announces resignation.

2014 – Sochi Winter Olympics open in Russia.

2017 – Madonna granted permission to adopt twins from Malawi.

(Reuters)