Happy 1st of August !

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The short version (for more details, click the links) :

The Swiss National Day refers to the Federal Charter of 1291. This pact is considered as the founding act of the Confederacy ; it was concluded “early August” between the representatives of three original cantons (Uri, Schwytz and Unterwalden). However, the Federal State as we know it today is only born in 1848.

In 1891, the authorities decided for the first time to celebrate the national holiday on August 1st and to choose the Federal Charter of 1291 as founding pact of Switzerland. Previously, it’s the legendary Oath of Grütli that was commemorated. The 1st of August is a holiday since 1994 only.

Every municipality organizes the festivities for the national day from the nightfall : bonfire, procession with lanterns, speeches, and often fireworks. The streets of cities and villages are decorated with Swiss flags and flags of cantons and municipality. The inhabitants decorate often their house in the same way.

We don’t like fireworks at all, and we prefer to celebrate in quietness at home !

23 thoughts on “Happy 1st of August !

  1. Teddy

    What a nice holiday! Happy Swiss National Day my friends – we think you decorated your yard BEAUTIFULLY and I hope it’s a nice, quiet day for you.

    Love, Teddy

  2. da tabbies o trout towne

    pixie N zorro; yur yard lookz awesum; ewe both due two…happy swiss national day two everee one; we agreez firewerkz……blah ~~~~~~
    🙂 ♥♥

  3. easyweimaraner

    Happy Happy Swiss day!!!!! we normally had this day on our celebrate list, but the mama furgot to order a swiss army blanket for having a fondue there… think she gets old…

  4. Marv

    Happy Swiss National Day (Belated) what a great celebration! Thanks for telling us more about it.
    We have a holiday this weekend too! Ours is British Columbia Day is observed on the first Monday in August similar to civic holidays in other provinces. An even though it is BC Day, it is not an “Official” Statutory holiday in BC! We are all going to enjoy having Mom home for an extra day.
    We hope you enjoy your holiday!
    Purrs
    Marv

  5. Raven

    Happy Swiss National Day. I like the way the ends of the bottom logs in your decoration are notched. I hope there weren’t too many fireworks.

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