Podcasts History Witness History: Archive 2012 Birth of the Euro

Birth of the Euro

Published: Jan. 2, 2012, 9 a.m.

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At midnight on January the 1st 2002, the euro was launched simultaneously in 12 European countries.

Millions of people lined up at cash machines to take out their first notes in the new currency.

Louise Hidalgo talks to the European Central Bank official in charge of the biggest currency launch in history.

(PHOTO: AFP/Getty Images)

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