It's coming up soon: the Swiss national holiday 1st of August . Fire works, picnics, brunches, speeches by politicians and warm summer weather will hopefully all be part of this fun holiday this year. Origins of 1st of August Celebrations in Switzerland 1st of August in Switzerland commemorates the founding of the original Swiss federation by the "original cantons" (= Urkantone) Uri, Schwyz, Nidwalden and Obwalden in the first half of August 1291. Nota that there are only three Urkantone since Nidwalden and Obwalden are the two halves of the canton Unterwalden. However, this date does not mark Swiss independence but rather the start of a the several century long formation of the Swiss nation. In fact, it was made a national holiday in as late as 1891 more than six centuries after the fact. 1st of August Bun How 1st of August is celebrated today Although it is nice to remember the beginnings of Switzerland and to think of some of the legends surrounding
tidbits of life in Switzerland