The Swiss National Day (German: Schweizer Bundesfeiertag; French: Fête nationale suisse; Italian: Festa nazionale svizzera; Romansh: Festa naziunala svizra) is the national holiday of Switzerland, set on 1 August. Although the founding of the Swiss Confederacy was first celebrated on this date in 1891 and annually since 1899, it has only been an official holiday since 1994.[1]
The date is inspired by the date of the Federal Charter of 1291, Pacte du Rütli, placed in "early August",[2] when "three Alpine cantons swore the oath of confederation" (Schwyz, Uri and Unterwald), an action which later came to be regarded as the founding of Switzerland."[3] The document is one of several dozen pacts attested for the territory of Switzerland in the period of the mid-13th to mid-14th century. The foundation of the Old Swiss Confederacy had been mostly associated with the Bund of Brunnen of 1315, or with the Rütlischwur, dated to 1307 by Aegidius Tschudi. The Federal Charter of 1291 first assumed great importance in a report by the Federal Department of Home Affairs of 21 November 1889, suggesting a celebration in Bern in 1891 that would combine the city's 700th anniversary with the Confederacy's 600th anniversary. The date of the Federal Charter came to replace the formerly more prominent, traditional date of 8 November Rütlischwur, 1307 in popular consciousness in the 20th century, specifically after the 650th anniversary celebrations of 1941.[4][5]
It has been an official holiday since 1994, following the acceptance of a federal popular initiative in its favour in 1993.
The day of independence is typically celebrated at a local municipality level, though certain events draw nationwide attention. Since the mid-19th century, Schaffhausen has illuminated the nearby 25-meter-high Rhine Falls for special events. Beginning in 1920, the waterfall has been regularly lit for the national holiday and since 1966 is now lit only for this holiday.[6] At the historic location of Rütli Meadow above Lake Lucerne, a representational celebration is staged in the location where the legendary pledge of alliance, the Rütlischwur is said to have taken place. In Basel there are fireworks at the Rhine on the evening of 31 July.[7]
"1. Augustweggen", bread baked to celebrate Swiss National Day
Celebrations around the world
Until 2013, the largest Swiss National Day event in the USA was organized and held annually by the Swiss Benevolent Society of New York. Usually held in Manhattan, the event draws thousands of Swiss, Swiss-Americans and Friends of Switzerland from around New York, New Jersey, Connecticut and Pennsylvania. The event was held at the group's former hospice in Mount Kisco, New York during the 1970s.
Since, 2014 the event format has changed with the motto Back to the roots. It is a great family event again where one can enjoy everything ranging from Swiss sausages to Raclette, Swiss wine, bands, a DJ and kids' corner. Since 2014, the event has been organized by the Swiss Society of New York, the Swiss Benevolent Society of New York and the Consulate General of Switzerland in New York.
Celebrations are also held in Washington, District of Columbia by the Swiss Club of Washington D.C. on the Swiss Embassy grounds, in Monterey County, California at the Swiss Rifle Club, at the Newark Swiss Park in the San Francisco Bay Area and in the Los Angeles suburb of Whittier in Swiss Park. The Swiss Park celebration features Swiss cultural events and games, including a crossbow competition.[citation needed]
In Britain it is also Yorkshire Day, celebrating the county of Yorkshire. Bettys and Taylors of Harrogate, founded in 1919 by a Swiss baker, celebrate both of these days in its 6 cafe-tearooms across Yorkshire. For the National celebration, a festival is usually held every year, two Saturdays before the actual 1 August date to allow an opportunity for Swiss families based in the UK to attend prior to the long August summer break. Typically Swiss National Day is held at University College London, organised by the Swiss National Day London Committee, an independent group of volunteers, with the support of the Swiss Embassy London and other Swiss clubs such as City Swiss Club, New Helvetic Society and Unione Ticinese.
Mont Sutton Quebec hosts one of the largest Swiss National Day celebrations outside Switzerland. Each year, it features one canton, with food and products from that canton.[8]
References
^"1891: Der 1. August wird zum Bundesfeiertag erklärt" [1891: 1 August is declared a federal holiday] (in German). Swiss Pro Patria Foundation. Retrieved 31 July 2017.
^"The Federal Charter of 1291". The Federal Authorities of the Swiss Confederation. Retrieved 27 April 2014.
^ ab"National Day". swissworld.org. Federal Department of Foreign Affairs. Retrieved 17 April 2014.
^The Federal Charter of 1291 and the Founding of the Swiss State
^"Rhine Falls big fireworks display: "Fire on the rocks!"". RhineFall.ch. Retrieved 31 July 2017.
^"Swiss National Day on the Rhine 2016". Kanton Basel-Stadt. Retrieved 31 July 2017.
^"Swiss National Holiday Celebration". Federation of Swiss Societies in Eastern Canada. Retrieved 31 July 2017.
External links
Wikimedia Commons has media related to 1 August.
Swiss National Day New York, USA
Swiss National Day in London, UK
Swiss National Day in Quebec, CA
Swiss National Day in San Francisco Bay Area,USA
January 06, 2023
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This article needs additional citations for verification Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources Unsourced material may be challenged and removed Find sources Swiss National Day news newspapers books scholar JSTOR July 2017 Learn how and when to remove this template message The Swiss National Day German Schweizer Bundesfeiertag French Fete nationale suisse Italian Festa nazionale svizzera Romansh Festa naziunala svizra is the national holiday of Switzerland set on 1 August Although the founding of the Swiss Confederacy was first celebrated on this date in 1891 and annually since 1899 it has only been an official holiday since 1994 1 Swiss National DayFlag of SwitzerlandOfficial nameGerman BundesfeiertagFrench Fete nationaleItalian Festa nazionaleAlso calledFirst of AugustObserved bySwitzerlandSignificanceAnniversary of the Federal Charter of 1291Date1st AugustNext time1 August 2023 2023 08 01 Frequencyannual Contents 1 History 2 Town specific celebrations 3 Celebrations around the world 4 References 5 External linksHistory EditFurther information Historiography of Switzerland Swiss Federal Charter and Rutlischwur The date is inspired by the date of the Federal Charter of 1291 Pacte du Rutli placed in early August 2 when three Alpine cantons swore the oath of confederation Schwyz Uri and Unterwald an action which later came to be regarded as the founding of Switzerland 3 The document is one of several dozen pacts attested for the territory of Switzerland in the period of the mid 13th to mid 14th century The foundation of the Old Swiss Confederacy had been mostly associated with the Bund of Brunnen of 1315 or with the Rutlischwur dated to 1307 by Aegidius Tschudi The Federal Charter of 1291 first assumed great importance in a report by the Federal Department of Home Affairs of 21 November 1889 suggesting a celebration in Bern in 1891 that would combine the city s 700th anniversary with the Confederacy s 600th anniversary The date of the Federal Charter came to replace the formerly more prominent traditional date of 8 November Rutlischwur 1307 in popular consciousness in the 20th century specifically after the 650th anniversary celebrations of 1941 4 5 It has been an official holiday since 1994 following the acceptance of a federal popular initiative in its favour in 1993 1 August is celebrated each year with paper lantern parades bonfires hanging strings of Swiss flags and fireworks 3 Town specific celebrations Edit Fireworks in Basel The day of independence is typically celebrated at a local municipality level though certain events draw nationwide attention Since the mid 19th century Schaffhausen has illuminated the nearby 25 meter high Rhine Falls for special events Beginning in 1920 the waterfall has been regularly lit for the national holiday and since 1966 is now lit only for this holiday 6 At the historic location of Rutli Meadow above Lake Lucerne a representational celebration is staged in the location where the legendary pledge of alliance the Rutlischwur is said to have taken place In Basel there are fireworks at the Rhine on the evening of 31 July 7 1 Augustweggen bread baked to celebrate Swiss National DayCelebrations around the world EditUntil 2013 the largest Swiss National Day event in the USA was organized and held annually by the Swiss Benevolent Society of New York Usually held in Manhattan the event draws thousands of Swiss Swiss Americans and Friends of Switzerland from around New York New Jersey Connecticut and Pennsylvania The event was held at the group s former hospice in Mount Kisco New York during the 1970s Since 2014 the event format has changed with the motto Back to the roots It is a great family event again where one can enjoy everything ranging from Swiss sausages to Raclette Swiss wine bands a DJ and kids corner Since 2014 the event has been organized by the Swiss Society of New York the Swiss Benevolent Society of New York and the Consulate General of Switzerland in New York Celebrations are also held in Washington District of Columbia by the Swiss Club of Washington D C on the Swiss Embassy grounds in Monterey County California at the Swiss Rifle Club at the Newark Swiss Park in the San Francisco Bay Area and in the Los Angeles suburb of Whittier in Swiss Park The Swiss Park celebration features Swiss cultural events and games including a crossbow competition citation needed In Britain it is also Yorkshire Day celebrating the county of Yorkshire Bettys and Taylors of Harrogate founded in 1919 by a Swiss baker celebrate both of these days in its 6 cafe tearooms across Yorkshire For the National celebration a festival is usually held every year two Saturdays before the actual 1 August date to allow an opportunity for Swiss families based in the UK to attend prior to the long August summer break Typically Swiss National Day is held at University College London organised by the Swiss National Day London Committee an independent group of volunteers with the support of the Swiss Embassy London and other Swiss clubs such as City Swiss Club New Helvetic Society and Unione Ticinese Mont Sutton Quebec hosts one of the largest Swiss National Day celebrations outside Switzerland Each year it features one canton with food and products from that canton 8 References Edit 1891 Der 1 August wird zum Bundesfeiertag erklart 1891 1 August is declared a federal holiday in German Swiss Pro Patria Foundation Retrieved 31 July 2017 The Federal Charter of 1291 The Federal Authorities of the Swiss Confederation Retrieved 27 April 2014 a b National Day swissworld org Federal Department of Foreign Affairs Retrieved 17 April 2014 The Federal Charter of 1291 and the Founding of the Swiss State Flashback 125 NL The first Swiss National Day Rhine Falls big fireworks display Fire on the rocks RhineFall ch Retrieved 31 July 2017 Swiss National Day on the Rhine 2016 Kanton Basel Stadt Retrieved 31 July 2017 Swiss National Holiday Celebration Federation of Swiss Societies in Eastern Canada Retrieved 31 July 2017 External links Edit Wikimedia Commons has media related to 1 August Swiss National Day New York USA Swiss National Day in London UK Swiss National Day in Quebec CA Swiss National Day in San Francisco Bay Area USA Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Swiss National Day amp oldid 1129098373, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
