Alexander Rechsteiner, Autor bei Swiss National Museum

6. February 2019

Modern Age | Politics | Society | Article | Featured

From ‘Landjäger’ to traffic cop

How the modern-day police force evolved out of goods inspections at medieval markets and the expulsion of beggars from the nation’s territory.

24. December 2018

War/battle | Literature | Modern Age | 20th / 21st century | Politics | Religion | Culture | Article | Featured

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The story of a Christmas carol

Exactly 200 years ago, ‘Silent Night, Holy Night’ was performed for the first time. Thanks to its moving message and captivating melody, it is one of the world’s most popular Christmas carols.

29. June 2018

Series: 120 years National museum Zurich | 20th / 21st century | Culture | World of museums | Featured

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The long road to enlargement

Behind what in 2016 became reality lay over 100 years of planning. Funding issues, quarrels and a retirement stood in the way of enlarging the National Museum throughout the 20th century.

6. September 2017

Collection | War/battle | Modern Age | Politics | Best of

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On 6 September 1839, thousands of farmers from the Zurich Oberland, armed with morning stars, halberds, pitchforks and cudgels, advanced on the cantonal capital city to topple the government. It was one of the bloody climaxes of the conflict between liberals and conservatives in the wild Switzerland of the 1840s.