The history of the bishopric of Basel (Basilia in Roman times) goes back to the Roman Empire. The bishop moved from Augusta Raurica (Augst) to Basel in the fifth century. The invasions of Germanic tribes (Alamanni) were the reason. The hill in Basel offered an excellent refuge and had some defensive walls. The ancient palace … Read more » “The Prince-Bishopric of Basel”
John Godfrey Boker (1794-1860) was the first American Consul-General in Switzerland. He assumed his post in Basel in 1830. The Swiss government had already sent honorary consuls to Washington and New York in 1822. The first American Ambassador presented his credentials in 1853 (seat in Bern). John Boker established his residence in the building known … Read more » “The First American Diplomatic Representative”
Tadeusz Kosciuszko was born as the son of a Polish aristocratic family in 1746, in a town now part of the Republic of Belarus. He took on a career as an army officer, first in Warsaw (1765-1769) and afterwards in France (1769-1774), where he acquired his expertise as a military engineer in building military fortifications. … Read more » “Tadeusz Kosciuszko in Switzerland”
