![Switzerland’s family tree](https://blog.nationalmuseum.ch/app/uploads/stammbaum-der-schweiz-ausschnitt-300x225.jpg)
Does Switzerland really date back to 1291? A fresh look at the country’s origins
Young nations need long histories. In 1891, the Federal Council of Switzerland, a 43-year-old state at the time, somewhat arbitrarily decided the country went back 600 years, even assigning its foundation to a specific day, 1 August. Without delving too much into the dogma, the story goes something like this.
How a dead cow proved instrumental to the birth of the Confederacy
![Switzerland in the Making exhibition in the Forum of Swiss History Schwyz, picture taken in 2017.](https://blog.nationalmuseum.ch/app/uploads/nachbildung-einer-getoteten-kuh-fsg-300x206.jpg)
The content and omissions of the 1291 peace document
![Agreement between the communities of the valleys of Uri, Schwyz and Unterwalden for a shared peace, the Federal Charter of 1291.](https://blog.nationalmuseum.ch/app/uploads/bundesbrief-von-1291-300x273.jpg)
Every man shall continue to serve his overlord to the best of his abilities.
1291 or 1309? Does it really matter?
![Tell memorial in Altdorf by Richard Kissling (1848-1919).](https://blog.nationalmuseum.ch/app/uploads/telldenkmal-177x300.jpg)
![Political, economic and social collapse in central Switzerland circa 1309.](https://blog.nationalmuseum.ch/app/uploads/karte-innerschweiz-1309-en-300x253.jpg)
![Farming communities in the 13th to 15th centuries, based around the alpine area and border regions of western Europe.](https://blog.nationalmuseum.ch/app/uploads/bauerliche-eidgenossenschaften-im-13-bis-15-jahrhundert-233x300.jpg)
Not the exception but the norm
![Leagues of towns and pacts in the 13th century up to 1353.](https://blog.nationalmuseum.ch/app/uploads/stadtebunde-und-bundesschlusse-im-13-jahrhundert-bis-1353-300x204.jpg)
Slighting of castles. Milk portion covers vs archaeology
![The slighting of castles (known as the Burgenbruch) from 1291 as shown on milk portion covers in 1991](https://blog.nationalmuseum.ch/app/uploads/der-burgenbruch-von-1291-version-kaffeerahm-deckeli-1991-300x169.jpg)
![The slighting of castles from 1291 (Burgenbruch), based on archaeological findings as of 1991](https://blog.nationalmuseum.ch/app/uploads/der-burgenbruch-von-1291-version-wissenschaft-1991-en-300x169.jpg)
Of limited historical significance – instrumental in establishing a community
![Main hall of the Museum of the Swiss Charters of Confederation, display case with the Federal Charter in front of the Rütlischwur picture by Walter Clénin (1897-1980)](https://blog.nationalmuseum.ch/app/uploads/hauptsaal-des-bundesbriefmuseums-vitrine-mit-bundesbrief-vor-dem-bild-rutlischwur-von-walter-clenin-18971980-200x300.jpg)
Alternatives to 1291?
22 December 1481 – emergence of the Confederacy
12 April 1798 – first state, first constitution
12 September 1848 – founding of the federal state
Perspectives
![Kurt Sigrist, Zeitraum, 1980. Gotthard motorway services near Erstfeld, northbound.](https://blog.nationalmuseum.ch/app/uploads/kurt-sigrist-zeitraum-1980-300x232.jpg)