Swedish writer Strindberg suffered such hard times in Switzerland that he took up photography to make ends meet – and during a stay at Lake Lucerne, he produced the first selfies.
For decades, the communist regime in East Germany made great efforts to establish closer relations with Switzerland. Three weeks after a GDR prime minister visited Bern for the first time, the East German state ceased to exist.
On 6 August 1986, Alain Charmey from Vaud became the first person to swim the entire length of Lake Geneva. A press photographer was on the spot to capture the moment.
Stereoscopics, the three-dimensional depiction of two-dimensional images, captivated viewers across the globe in the 19th century. And the phenomenon helped to cement Switzerland’s status as a highly desirable tourist destination.
As a general, Henri Guisan led Switzerland through World War II. His public image alternated between resistance and diligent personal propagandisation. Including censorship!
For decades, home stories from the living rooms of the nation’s Federal Councillors have been popular reading material for Mr and Mrs Swiss. A look at the sofas of the past.
Switzerland has played host to sovereigns such as Queen Elizabeth II, Queen Victoria, Sisi and many others – and huge crowds have always turned out to greet these royal personages.
In February 1969, an attacker was shot dead at Kloten Airport. In the thick of the action were the press photographers, who documented the event up close and in vivid detail.
