Swiss National Day

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The flag of Switzerland.

The Swiss National Day (German: Schweizer Bundesfeier; French: Fête nationale Suisse; Italian: Festa nazionale Svizzera; Romanish: Fiasta naziunala Svizra) is 1 August. It is inspired by the mention of "early August" (primo incipiente mense Augusto) in the Federal Charter of 1291. It was first celebrated in Berne in 1891, marking the 600th anniversary of the charter. It displaced the formerly more prominent traditional date of the Rütlischwur, 8 November 1307. Based on that date, in 1907, the 600th anniversary was celebrated in Altdorf. In 1941, the 650th anniversary was celebrated.

Following a public vote on 26 September 1993, it was made an official national holiday in 1994. It is celebrated each year on August 1st with town-wide paper lantern parades, bonfires, hanging strings of Swiss flags and fireworks.

[edit] Town-specific celebrations

Swiss National Day fire

The day of independence is typically celebrated at a local, municipality level though certain events draw nation-wide attention. Since the mid-nineteenth century, the Rhine Falls near Schaffhausen has illuminated its 25 meter high waterfalls for special events. Beginning in 1920, the waterfall has been regularly lit for the national holiday and since 1966 is now lit only for this holiday. At the historic location of Rütli Meadow above Lake Lucerne, a representational celebration is staged in the location where the legendary pledge of alliance, the Rütlischwur is said to have taken place.