The name "Big Eight" appeared by analogy with the previous name - "The Big Seven", which in Russia was used as an incorrect translation of the English version of Group of Seven ("Group of Seven"). The number here indicates the number of states that make up this informal association of the most financially and economically strong states.
The G8 is not an official organization and was originally created by six countries as an advisory body to develop joint decisions to bring the world economy out of the crisis. Then, in the mid-70s of the last century, the states of Europe, Japan and the USA waged "export wars" with each other. Their cessation was the task of an informal deliberative club that united opponents. The date of creation of the deliberative body of the heads of state and government of the most economically developed countries is considered November 15, 1975 - on this day in the French city of Rambouillet, at the initiative of the then President of France Giscard d'Estaing, a meeting of representatives of the United States, Japan and four European countries - France, England, Germany and Italy.
In 1976, the second state of the North American continent, Canada, was added to this group of the most influential in the financial, economic and political spheres. Finally, the circle of club members in its current form was formed between 1991 and 2002 - for almost a decade, representatives of Russia were increasingly attracted to the G8 meeting step by step. Thus, today the G8 unites the heads of state and government of France, England, Germany, Italy, the United States, Japan, Canada and Russia.
Recently, the annual meetings of the G8 are not limited to participants from only eight countries; representatives of the most rapidly developing economies are also invited to it. We can say that when making some decisions, the G20 format is already used. The expanded structure includes India, Spain, Brazil, China, Mexico, South Africa, Indonesia, Argentina, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, South Korea. Another place in the G20 is given to the President of the European Union as a separate organization, despite the fact that five of its members participate in the club on their own.
