The Craddle of Switzerland

3 August 2020

Switzerland will be 729 years old on 1 August 2020—or not? On the first of August, Switzerland celebrates the alliance between the three Orte Uri, Schwyz, and Unterwalden.

The document does not give an exact date but speaks of the beginning of August 1291. The first national commemoration took place in 1891.

Napoleon, his Helvetic Republic (1798-1803), the Confederation of 19 cantons (1803-1813) and 22 cantons in 1815 were decisive for the borders of present-day Switzerland.

The new Constitution of 1848, after the Sonderbundskrieg (civil war) of 1847, is the constitutional fundament of modern Switzerland.

Several constitutional changes followed, including creating the twenty-sixth and last canton of Jura in 1979.