This section contains an overview of the most relevant commemorations in Switzerland.
4 July 2024
Basel Zoo celebrated its 150th anniversary on 3 July. Switzerland’s first zoological garden opened in Basel on 3 July 1874. The Basel Ornithological Society founded the Zoo—also known as Zolli—to awaken and promote the interest of Basel’s urban population in nature and the local animal world. When it opened, it focused on native animals such … Read more » “No birthday without a cake in Zoo Basel”
19 June 2024
Der Weg der Schweiz is a historic road along Lake Urnersee, the southernmost arm of Lake Lucerne. It is approximately 35 kilometres long and divided into 26 stages, corresponding to the 26 cantons. The order was determined by the time the cantons joined the Confederation. The length of the sections is based on the number … Read more » “The Rütli, an oath and an impeachment”
29 February 2024
The Sonderbundskrieg of 1847 is a well-known historical fact. However, who remembers the military confrontation between Old Switzerland (die Alte Schweiz) and Young Switzerland (die Junge Schweiz) on May 21 1844, at the Trient bridge (le pont du Trient) near Vernayaz in (Lower) Valais? Yet this battle, with about 60 dead, was a rehearsal of … Read more » “The Battle at the Trient Bridge and the Sonderbund War”
8 February 2024
As is well known, Switzerland does not border the sea, although 20 million years ago, the country was by and in the sea. Yet the small mountain village of Salvan (canton of Valais) has its maritime history. The Titanic, the largest and most luxurious passenger ship of its time, collided with an iceberg on April … Read more » “The Village of Salvan, Marconi and the Titanic”
3 January 2024
The Independence Park (Parc de l’Indépendance) in Morges (canton of Vaud) owes its name to the independence of Vaud (Le Pays de Vaud) on 24 January 1798, after the long domination of Bern (since 1536). Citizens proclaimed the République lémanique on this date in Lausanne (Place de la Palud). This Republic was short-lived, however. The … Read more » “Hendrick Jan van Oyen in the Parc de l’Indépendance in Morges”
20 November 2023
In the Late Middle Ages, Zurich acquired vast areas of the surrounding countryside. The canton’s rural population was under the political and economic control of the city’s rulers. Although the Helvetic Republic (1798-1803) proclaimed freedom and equality in 1798, the old city oligarchy enacted a new constitution in 1814 that restored their power (Die Restauration). However, … Read more » “The Uster Day, the new Constitution and Democracy”
4 August 2023
On 15 November 1315, a battle took place at Morgarten (canton of Zug) between the first Eidgenossen (Uri, Schwyz and Unterwalden) and Duke Leopold of Habsburg (1290-1326). Little is known about the course of the battle. Only the winner (the three Eidgenossen), the loser (Duke Leopold), and the ambush for Leopold are known. The fact … Read more » “The Significance of Morgarten”
2 August 2023
The Lion Monument (Löwendenkmal) was inaugurated on 10 August 1821, 29 years after the attack on the Tuileries in 1792. One of the few surviving Swiss guardsmen was Carl Pfyffer von Altishofen, an officer in the Swiss Guard Regiment of King Louis XVI (1754-1793). On 10 August 1792, he was in Switzerland; otherwise, he would … Read more » “The Lion Monument of Lucerne”
1 August 2023
The town of Rolle (canton of Vaud) decided to give the name De la Harpe to the newest island in Lake Geneva after the death of Fréderic-César de la Harpe (1754-1838). Rolle is a port town on Lake Geneva. A dyke was built in 1835 to protect the boats in the harbour from the wind. … Read more » “Rolle, De la Harpe and the Tsar”
31 May 2023
The National Museum Zurich celebrates its 125th anniversary in 2023. The anniversary provides the occasion to look back on the museum’s eventful past and cast a glance into the future. The highlight of the celebrations is the anniversary weekend on June 10 and 11, featuring a public programme. This anniversary weekend offers a diverse programme … Read more » “National Museum Zurich 125 Years”
