Switzerland celebrates its National Day on 1st August. The day is significant in Swiss history as it was on 1st August 1291 that the alliance between the three cantons namely Unterwalden, Uri and Schwyz was concluded. This confederation led to the formation of modern day Switzerland. However, the Swiss National Day was celebrated for the first time in 1891 at Berne, 600 years after the alliance was formed. In 1994, the 1st day of August was officially declared as a national holiday.
Paper lantern parades, bonfires, fireworks, national songs and speeches form a part of Swiss National Day celebrations. People from the Swiss countryside and villages come to the urban areas to participate in the daylong celebrations. A large number of festivities are organized in Geneva and are centered on the Parc des Bastions and Mur des Reformateurs.
The Swiss National Day celebrations are localized in nature. In the region of the Rhine Falls located near Schaffhausen, Switzerland National Day, is celebrated by illuminating the waterfall and by a magnificent display of fireworks. The people of the Uri canton celebrate the day at the Rutli Meadow at the very place where the pledge of alliance was proclaimed. The President of the Swiss Confederation also delivers a speech on the national television and radio on this occasion.
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