Swiss National Day: History, Flag, Symbol, Motto, Anthem, Celebrations, Wishes, Status, SMS, Quotes, Messages and more to Know.
Switzerland (officially called the Swiss Confederation), is a landlocked country located at the intersection of Western, Central and Southern Europe. It is a country of federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with federal sovereignty based in Bern. Switzerland celebrates its National Day on August 1 annually.
Swiss National Day 2023
The Swiss National Day (official name German: Bundesfeiertag, French: Fête Nationale, Italian: Festa Nazionale) is the national holiday of Switzerland and is observed by Switzerland on 1 August every year. It is the date that relates to a historic alliance concluded in 1291 by the three cantons of Uri, Schwyz and Unterwalden. The founding of the Swiss Confederacy was first celebrated on this date in 1891 and annually since 1899, but it has only been a public holiday since 1994. The next Swiss National Day falls on Tuesday, August 1, 2023.
History of Swiss National Day
The date, August 1, is exhilarated by the date of the 1291 Federal Charter, Pact du Rutli, set "at the beginning of August", when "the three Alpine cantons (Schwyz, Uri and Unterwald) took the oath of confederation", litigation that would later be regarded as the founding of Switzerland. The document is one of the dozens of treaties attested for the territory of Switzerland between the mid-13th and mid-14th centuries.
The Federal Charter of 1291 first gained prominence in a report of the Federal Home Affairs Department on 21 November 1889, which suggested a celebration in Bern in 1891 that would combine the city's 700th anniversary with the 600th anniversary of the Confederation. The date of the Federal Charter came into popular consciousness in the 20th century rather than the more prominent, earlier traditional date of 8 November Rütlischwur, 1307, especially after the 650th-anniversary celebrations in 1941.
Finally, it has been a public holiday since 1994 following a federal popular initiative in 1993.
Significance of Swiss National Day
Switzerland is the motherland of the Red Cross, one of the oldest and best-known humanitarian organisations in the world. Switzerland celebrates its National Day on August 1, the anniversary of the Federal Charter of 1291. This has been a statutory public holiday since 1891.
Why does Switzerland Celebrate Swiss National Day?
Switzerland's National Day celebration, held annually on August 1, celebrates the significance of the Federal Charter of 1291 in early August of the following year. The three cantons of Uri, Unterwalden, now the two half-cantons of Obwalden and Nidwalden - and Schweiz agreed to stand together against outside judges and invaders.
How do the Swiss celebrate Swiss National Day?
Every year on August 1, the Swiss celebrate the founding of their nation with barbecues, friends, city celebrations, and lots of fireworks. Besides, they celebrate the day with lantern parades, bonfires, hanging strings of Swiss flags, etc.
Town-based Celebrations:
Fireworks in Basel
Schaffhausen has filled with light the nearby 25-meter-high Rhine Falls for special events since the mid-19th century. Since the early 1920s, the fountains have been lit regularly for public holidays, and since 1966 they are now lit only for these occasions.
The historic Meadow Rütli above Lake Lucerne offers a representative celebration where the legendary pledge of alliance, Rütlischwur, is said to have taken place. In Basel, on the evening of July 31, a fireworks display is held on the banks of the Rhine River.
Swiss National Day Celebrations Around the World
Until 2013, the largest Swiss National Day programme in the U.S. was organised annually by the Swiss Benevolent Society of New York. Generally, held in Manhattan, the event attracts thousands of Swiss, Swiss-Americans and friends from Switzerland from New York, New Jersey, Connecticut and Pennsylvania.
The Swiss Benevolent Society of New York, the Swiss Society of New York and the Consulate General of Switzerland in New York have been organising the event since 2014.
Also celebrated in Washington, District of Columbia by the Swiss Club of Washington DC on the grounds of the Swiss Embassy, at the Swiss Rifle Club in Monterey County, California, at Newark Swiss Park in the San Francisco Bay Area, and in Los Angeles. The Swiss Park festival holds shows featuring Swiss cultural programmes and games, including a crossbow competition.
In Britain, an annual national holiday is celebrated on the two Saturdays before August 1 to provide Swiss families in the UK a chance to travel before the long August holiday. Usually held at University College London, Swiss National Day is organised by the Swiss National Day London Committee, an independent group of volunteers with support from the Swiss Embassy in London and other Swiss clubs.
Mont Sutton Quebec of Canada hosts one of the largest Swiss National Day celebrations outside Switzerland. Every year it presents one canton, in that canton, it has food and products.
National Flag of Switzerland and its Significance
The national flag of Switzerland (German: Schweizerfane; French: Drapeau de la Suisse; Italian: Bandiera svizzera; Romansh: Bandiera da la svizzera) depicts a white cross in the centre of a square red field. The White Cross is referred to as the Swiss Cross or the Federal Cross. The arms are uniform, and the ratio of length to width is 7:6. The cross ratio on the pitch was 5:8 in 2017.
The flag was adopted in 1889 and the ratio is 1:1. The white cross is used as a field symbol (since the 14th century, the white cross is the Swiss military symbol). When the federal constitution of Switzerland was approved in 1848, the white cross on the red square became the official national flag. The square shape differentiates it from other flags.
National Anthem of Switzerland
Switzerland's national anthem, The "Swiss Psalm" was made official in 1981. The current anthem, which is the Swiss Psalm, officially replaces the earlier version sung in Britain's hymn of God's salvation.
It was written in 1841 by Alberich Zwyssig. Since then, it has often been sung at patriotic ceremonies. The Federal Council, however, has refused to adopt the song as the official anthem on several occasions.
National Symbols of Switzerland
Switzerland's National symbols are the symbols used to represent Switzerland. As of 2020, the Swiss legislature has to make three Swiss national symbols official, a flag, coat of arms and anthem, but various other symbols are used as well to represent the Swiss people.
The national emblems of Switzerland are the symbols used to represent Switzerland. As of 2020, the Swiss legislature has officialised three Swiss national symbols, a flag, coat of arms and anthem. However, various other symbols are also used to represent the Swiss people.
Although Switzerland doesn't have any national animal currently, many other animals have been used to represent the Swiss nation, such as the marmot, ibex, Saint Bernhard, and blackbird. Also, there are a handful of cantons that use a specific animal as a symbol. These include bears, bulls, rams, lions and eagles. Further common Swiss symbols worth mentioning may include Swiss cheese, Swiss chocolate, Rösti, and the Swiss army knife.
Motto of Switzerland
Switzerland's motto (traditional) is "Unus pro omnibus, omnes pro uno" (Latin), which means
"One for the all, all for one"
It is the motto of Switzerland which symbolises the unity of the country and the solidarity of the 26 cantons.
Happy Swiss National Day 2023 Wishes & Messages
August 1 has been celebrated as Swiss National Day referring to a historic alliance concluded in 1291 by the three cantons of Uri, Schwyz and Unterwalden. On this day, we've come up with messages you can wish everybody a great celebration -
- Happy Switzerland's Day! This day is all about promoting Switzerland as an amazing country.
- We all celebrate Swiss National Day. This day commemorates the founding of the Swiss Confederation.
- We will be celebrating Swiss National Day with high spirits and memorable celebrations to make this an amazing event.
- On Switzerland’s National Day we will celebrate the alliance as it is the focal point on which SwitzerlacansIands at the moment.
- On this special day, let us take come forward and make a promise to take our nation on the path of prosperity so that people can live happy life. Happy independence day to all.
Swiss National Day Status 2023
The first day of August has been celebrated as the Swiss National Day since 1891 remembering the establishment of the Swiss Confederation in 1291. We bring the best statuses for you on this sacred day -
- This day is a constant reminder o,f the historic licence that took place in 1291. Wishing you all peace and happiness on this glorious Swiss National Day!
- On this magnificent day, let us come forward and statement to lead our country towards a better life so thaliveople can live happily ever after. Happy Swiss National Day!
- It gives me the shudder to think about my life if I wasn’t living in an Independent Country. Happy Swiss National Day!
- Independence Day is a great day to look back at who we are and how we got here. Happy Swiss National Day!
Swiss National Day SMS 2023
Celebrate this significant day by sharing these best greetings on Swiss National Day. Make this day a unique one with a long National Day SMS that is worthy to share -
- Some may forget But never can I, My country's banner is too high. Happy Swiss National Day!
- To remind people of the hardships they had to endure to be free. Happy Swiss National Day!
- The event serves as a chance to reflect on the country’s global contributions. Happy Swiss National Day!
- The celebration of Switzerland’s creation and brilliance is known as the Swiss National Day.
Swiss National Day Quotes
Switzerland is known one of the most peaceful countries in the world for centuries. On this glorious day, we've collected the best Quotes about Switzerland.
"In a country where peace prevails in every corner, everything looks prettier, calmer and wiser!" – Mehmet Murat Ildan
"No one likes Switzerland, except those who prefer cleanliness to live." – Unknown
"The outbreak of the war found my wife and me in Switzerland, where we were taking a cure." – Fritz Kreisler
"My rank is the highest known in Switzerland. I’m a free citizen." – George Bernard Shaw
"Switzerland is a small, steep country, much more up and down than sideways, and is all stuck over with large brown hotels built on the cuckoo clock style of architecture." – Ernest Hemingway
Switzerland has a long history of being a relatively safe country for at least five centuries, which is a big achievement. It has four major linguistic and cultural regions: German, French, Italian and Romansh. Because of its linguistic diversity, Switzerland is known by several local names: Schweiz (German); Swiss (French); Svizzera (Italian); and Svizra [ˈʒviːtsrɐ, ˈʒviːtsʁɐ] (Romansh). By the end of this article, we hope that your time spent here was worth it.