Swiss National Day

What Is Swiss National Day?

August 1st is Swiss National Day (Bundesfeiertag in German, Fête nationale suisse in French). In early August 1291, the communities of Uri, Schwyz, and Unterwalden concluded an alliance of mutual assistance, and the date on this Federal Charter (Bundesbrief) is the basis for celebrating August 1st as Switzerland's national day. Today it is a national public holiday, celebrated across the country with bonfires, fireworks, parades, and outdoor concerts.

The Historical Background of Switzerland's Founding

In the late 13th century, the Habsburgs were extending their influence over the Alpine valleys. The mountain communities responded by forming a defensive alliance.

• The Charter of 1291: The three communities pledged to come to each other's aid against any external aggressor. The original charter is kept and displayed today at the Museum of the Swiss Charters of Confederation (Bundesbriefmuseum) in Schwyz.
• The origin of the name "Switzerland": The country's name is believed to derive from one of the founding communities, Schwyz.
• Gradual expansion: Neighboring regions joined over time, and by the early 16th century the alliance had grown to 13 cantons. Today's Swiss Confederation consists of 26 cantons.

A Surprisingly Recent Holiday

• First celebrated in 1891: August 1 was first celebrated as the national day in 1891, the 600th anniversary of the charter.
• A nationwide public holiday since 1994: In a 1993 referendum, voters overwhelmingly approved making August 1 a nationwide public holiday, which took effect in 1994.

Switzerland Today

• Permanent neutrality: Switzerland's permanent neutrality was internationally recognized following the Congress of Vienna in 1815.
• A multilingual nation: Switzerland has four national languages — German, French, Italian, and Romansh.
• Home of international organisations: Geneva hosts the United Nations Office at Geneva, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), the World Health Organization (WHO), and many other international bodies. The country has a population of about 9 million.

Fascinating Facts About Swiss National Day

• The bonfire tradition: On the night of August 1st, bonfires (Höhenfeuer) are lit on hillsides and mountains across Switzerland.
• Wilhelm Tell: Switzerland's legendary founding hero, famous for shooting an apple off his son's head with a crossbow. His historical existence has never been verified.
• The alphorn and yodel: Iconic Swiss traditions said to have begun as ways of signaling over long distances in the mountains.
• Japan–Switzerland relations: Japan and Switzerland concluded a Treaty of Amity and Commerce in 1864, giving their relationship a history of more than 160 years.
• Swiss products in Japan: Swiss watches, chocolate, and cheeses such as Emmental and Gruyère are widely enjoyed in Japan.

Tips for Marking This Day

• Enjoy some Swiss chocolate or cheese and think about the Alpine craftsmanship behind it.
• Learn about Switzerland's role as a neutral venue for international dialogue.
• Browse photos or videos of the Matterhorn or the Jungfrau.

A Nation That Began With a Small Mountain Alliance

August 1st celebrates how an alliance formed by mountain communities more than 700 years ago grew into a modern nation. Switzerland's history of people with different languages and cultures living together as one country offers hints about cooperating while respecting differences. Today, picture the Alpine scenery and take a moment to learn a little more about Switzerland.