In Switzerland, August 1st is celebrated every year as National Foundation Day. It was first celebrated in 1891, and August 1st was officially designated as National Foundation Day in 1898. On this day, many events are held in tourist destinations such as Interlaken and Zermatt, and the area is bustling with traditional Swiss music, parades, and food stalls.
What kind of country is it?
Switzerland is a landlocked country located at the crossroads of Western, Central, and Southern Europe, bordering Italy, France, Germany, Austria, and Liechtenstein. The Alps make up part of the country, and most of the population lives on the Swiss Plateau. In ancient times, it was a sacred place dedicated to Phoenician gods, but later it became associated with Greek and Roman gods, and many ruins remain.
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Historical Background
Swiss National Day commemorates the day on August 1, 1291, when the three cantons of Uri, Schwyz, and Unterwalden (now Obwalden and Nidwalden) gathered at Rütli (note 1) on the shores of Lake Lucerne and concluded the "Eternal Alliance" to oppose the rule of the House of Habsburg (note 2). This alliance became the foundation of the Swiss Confederation, and August 1 was designated as National Day as an important event in Swiss history.
(Note 1) Rütli: A historical place on the shores of Lake Lucerne. It is known as a symbolic place of the founding of Switzerland.
(Note 2) House of Habsburg: A powerful family that represents medieval Europe. They were one of the forces that tried to prevent Swiss independence.
National Day Events
Various events are held throughout Switzerland to celebrate this day. Speeches by mayors and village heads, folk music performances, parades, and fireworks displays are held, and the whole country is filled with a festive mood. Particularly popular events include fireworks displays in lakeside towns such as Lugano and Ascona. The beauty of the fireworks reflected on the lake surface fascinates many people. At the Rhine Falls, a fireworks display is sometimes held on the night of July 31st as a pre-event.