Swiss National Day
For most people, 1 August means fireworks, garden barbeques and brunch. Children can be seen parading through the streets with paper lanterns and people light candles in their windows. The Swiss celebrate their national day with village festivities, with gatherings throughout the country around bonfires in public places, listening intently to speeches about 1291, the start of the Swiss Confederation. Municipality-organised fireworks symbolise the expulsion of the foreign bailiffs in the 14th century. Swiss pride is eminent everywhere