August 22, 1849
The Second International Peace Congress met for three days in Salle Sainte-Cecile, Paris, with Victor Hugo as President. Hugo called for the creation of a United States of Europe. Hugo, then in exile on the Island of Guernsey, planted an oak tree in the grounds of his residence, saying that when this tree matured the United States of Europe would have come into being. This tree is still growing in the gardens there.
