August 1: National Day in Switzerland
Prayer Idea
Pray for the people and government of Switzerland.
Map by Peter Hermes Furian / Shutterstock.com
History Note
Switzerland is unusual among European countries in that it has never had a monarch. It formed in 1291 as a confederation of three cantons. The country now has 26 cantons, each of which has a measure of independence somewhat similar to states in the United States. The name comes from the canton of Schwyz, one of the founding members.
Switzerland has a long history of military neutrality. The country has not participated in a foreign war since its neutrality was recognized by other European countries in 1815. Switzerland did not become a member of the United Nations until 2002.
The nine million people who live in Switzerland are diverse. About 34% are Roman Catholic, 28% are Protestant, and 5% are Muslim. The country has four official languages—German, French, Italian, and Romansh.
The Swiss celebrate August 1 as the country’s national day, commemorating the founding of the Swiss Confederation.
This 2013 photo shows people celebrating National Day in Zurich, Switzerland. Photo by Capricorn Studio / Shutterstock.com.
Learn More
Join a family celebrating Switzerland’s National Day in Basel in 2022.
Find more resources at Homeschool History.
