The departure became official at 11 p.m. London time when the clock struck midnight in the Belgian capital, where the EU is headquartered. Thousands of Brexit supporters waving Union Jack flags gathered outside Parliament to celebrate the severing of the 47-year relationship. Brexit supporters had been looking forward to this moment since June 23, 2016, when 52 percent of the public voted to walk away from the EU, the successor to the European Communities it joined in 1973. French President Emmanuel Macron called Brexit a “historic alarm signal” that should force the EU to improve itself. Brexit supporters argue Britain's departure will allow it to strike trade deals with countries like the United States and growing Asian markets.

Source: Fox News January 31, 2020 23:47 UTC