Noëmi Crain Merz29.01.2026Switzerland’s population and economy grew like never before in the 1960s, partly due to the influx of foreign labour that made this record economic boom possible in the first place. At the same time, fear of ‘excessive immigration’ was on the rise. Tapping into the zeitgeist, the Swiss Trade Union Federation called for limits on immigration in a move that would leave a lasting mark on the political debate.
Noëmi Crain Merz28.08.2025In the summer of 1940, German press attaché Georg Trump attempted to silence critical voices within the Swiss press. Staging a fightback, the country’s newspaper editors found themselves caught between the opposing forces of neutrality and accommodation.
Noëmi Crain Merz17.04.2025In the early 20th century, Benito Mussolini caused a stir in Switzerland as a rebellious socialist. Some decades later, he became a threat to the country as a fascist dictator.
Noëmi Crain Merz13.02.2025The story of a petition demanding voting rights for women, which attracted 250,000 signatures before being stuffed in a drawer and forgotten about for decades.
Noëmi Crain Merz07.11.2024He wrote scandalous novels, masqueraded as an anti-fascist activist and spied for Mussolini. After fleeing to Switzerland, Pitigrilli’s true colours were revealed.
Noëmi Crain Merz04.07.2024The life of Catherine Zimmermann-Mulgrave tells a story of human trafficking as part of the slave trade and of Christian missionary work in West Africa in the 19th century. It also shows how an African woman managed to lead an independent and self-determined life despite being kidnapped and marginalised.
Noëmi Crain Merz09.04.2024The canton of Basel-Stadt had to wait a long time to be represented on the Federal Council. After the election of Hans-Peter Tschudi in 1959, it was 64 years before the next candidate from the city won a seat on the national executive body. Both events were cause for widespread celebration.
