Swiss National Holiday
The national holiday of the Swiss Confederation was celebrated for the first time on the 1st of August in 1891 and was repeated annually throughout Switzerland from 1899. It is a public holiday in Switzerland, but until 1993 it was either a normal working day, a half-day or a full day of public rest, depending on the canton. However, 1st of August as the date of the Rütlischwurs is not historically proven (the historian Aegidius Tschudi, in his Swiss Chronicle written in the mid-16th century, set the date of the Rütlischwurs on the “Wednesday before Martini” in 1307, i.e. November 8, 1307). It was not until the end of the 19th century that the 1st of August became the “birthday” of Switzerland.
Many people decorate their homes with Swiss, cantonal and municipal flags. The flagging of public buildings, streets and squares is required by law in most places.
In the communities, celebrations are held in the afternoon or evening, with each locality maintaining its own traditions. Prayers for the people and the fatherland, the singing of the national anthem (Swiss psalm) and the ringing of bells are usually included. In some places, traditional costumes are worn. Often a public figure gives a speech and the local music society performs.
At nightfall, children light their lanterns and private or public fireworks are set off everywhere. On many mountain tops and heights, meter-high bonfires burn.