The Lake of Biel - Celebrating The National Day of Switzerland - Fireworks

The first August is the official national holiday in Switzerland. The three original cantons of Uri, Schwyz, and Walden joined in the "eternal covenant" together.

1st August - National Day

Perhaps not known to commit the whole world, the Swiss people on 1st August national holiday with many celebrations, speeches and bonfires. Of course, in the end not be missing the fireworks.

On 1st August is thought to arise throughout Switzerland of the Swiss Confederation. The Confederation is, as its name suggests, due to a vow. Anyway, it is the legend Sun In 1291 AD, three representatives of the three forest cantons of Uri, Schwyz, and Walden on Rütliwiese met by a defensive alliance against the Austrians and other enemies to be made. To seal the alliance, they vowed to "Rütlischwur," now familiar with each child in Switzerland. Speaking of children: The Rütliwiese belongs to the Swiss youth. With this oath everything started and with the times and the centuries it joined more and more cantons formed a peaceful or warlike, to be the original cantons, of Switzerland, as it exists today,. This fact is now so commemorated by the Swiss people every year on August 1st. On this day, hundreds of speeches are made, sausages are grilled and consumed even given free from some Swiss towns to the citizens, thousands to millions of francs of fireworks shot into the sky. In some places it is also contemplative and forth: with bonfires and minutes of silence ponders about the past, the future and life in general. It's a beautiful tradition that we make our Swiss National Day with bonfires seen from afar. Because bonfires lit across the valleys and mountains, are a powerful symbol of togetherness.

In any case, if you're a tourist in Switzerland, take the opportunity to participate in these festivities August 1.

Official Swiss holiday

The first August 1994 was first celebrated as an official federal holiday.

German National Day Switzerland
French: Fête nationale Suisse
Italian: Festa nazionale della Svizzera
English: Swiss National Holiday