Switzerland often does things a bit differently from its neighbors, and is nearly unique in Europe for having only a single national holiday. That may change soon.
Although there are many regional, cantonal and religious holidays in different parts of the country, only August 1st is celebrated everywhere. It is the anniversary of the very beginning of the Swiss Confederation, more than seven centuries ago in 1291, when a number of independent small states joined in.
The proposed new holiday would honor another milestone in Swiss history, the creation of its constitution on September 12, 1848, during a year of ferment and revolution across much of Europe. In Switzerland, after a 27-day civil war, the previously independent cantons agreed to create a centralized national government, while leaving cantons with significant local powers.
Although the proposal for the new holiday got a majority of votes in the National Council, Switzerland’s legislature, it still faces opposition by a number of major parties and by the Federal Council, the country’s executive body.
