Switzerland did not have an official national anthem until 1961. The decision had been preceded by almost a century of searching. There were even competitions to find a suitable melodie and text. Until the end of the 1950s, the tunes most commonly played at official events in Switzerland were Rufst Du mein Vaterland (“When my Fatherland … Read more » “The Swiss National Anthem”
The hilly and mountainous landscape of the two Appenzell cantons is as beautiful as their origins are typically Swiss and unique. The area of these cantons covers 420 km2. The northern part of Canton Appenzell Ausserrhoden (AR) consists of hills and almost borders Lake Constance. In the southern region, canton Appenzell Innerrhoden (AI), the mountains … Read more » “The History of the Appenzeller Cantons”
The present-day Swiss Confederation came into being on 12 September 1848. On that day, the parliament (Tagsatzung) approved the text after the cantons had adopted it with a majority of 15 ½ cantons against 6 ½. Of these 6 ½ opponents (Zug, Valais, Uri, Tessin, Schwyz, Appenzell Innerrhoden (1/2), Nidwalden (1/2) and Obwalden (1/2), 3 ½ … Read more » “12 September 1848”
