To celebrate its 50th anniversary year, ESO in 2012 released the documentary Europe to the Stars ESOs first 50 years of Exploring the Southern Sky. The movie tells the story of ESO what scientific discoveries it has been making and how it designs, builds and operates some of the most powerful groundbased telescopes.
It all began in 1962 with the signing of the ESO convention thanks to the initiative of astronomers from five European countries, Belgium, France, Germany, the Netherlands and Sweden. Fifty years later, their initial plan has become a reality. Europe to the Stars portrays the story of how Europeans achieved this.
Source: Wikipedia