History of the Netherlands The Dutch government subsequently decided on a large-scale programme of public works (the "Delta Works") to protect the country against future floods. The project took more than thirty years to complete. The Oosterscheldedam, an advanced sea storm barrier, became operational in 1986. According to Dutch government engineers, the odds of a major inundation anywhere in the Netherlands are now one in 10,000 years. The European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC), was founded in 1951 by the six founding members: Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg (the Benelux countries) and West Germany, France and Italy. Its purpose was to pool the steel
Luxembourg in the Eurovision Song Contest 1972 UK Singles Chart, at the time by far the highest position achieved in the UK by a non-British/Irish Eurovision winner. On the night of the final Leandros performed 17th in the running order, following Belgium and preceding the Netherlands. Prior to the contest most observers had predicted a two-horse race between Luxembourg and the United Kingdom, with the Netherlands as the only other possible challenger. In the event, "Après toi" took the initiative in the first round of voting, and did not relinquish the lead throughout the whole voting procedure. The song won the contest with a score of 128