Category: Modern Age

21. February 2020

Modern Age | Politics

de en fr

Johann Rudolf Schmid von Schwarzenhorn – a Swiss gentleman at the Sultan’s court

by Elisabeth Schraut

While the 16th and 17th-century ‘fear of the Turks’ is still present in the collective consciousness of Central Europe, very few people are aware that there are also numerous examples of a lively cultural exchange during the same period. Right in the thick of it was a Swiss man, Johann Rudolf Schmid von Schwarzenhorn, born in 1590 in Stein am Rhein.

continue reading

1. January 2020

20th / 21st century | Culture

de en fr

2020

by Andrej Abplanalp

Will we make history this year? Perhaps. In any case, the symmetry of dates indicates that we may be in for some special events, as a look at the past shows.

continue reading

25. December 2019

Modern Age | Religion

de en

Christkind, or Samichlaus?

by Alexander Rechsteiner

On Christmas Eve or Christmas Day, the gifts are handed out! But has it always been that way? 150 years ago, 6 December was always the big day for children.

continue reading

18. October 2019

Modern Age | Politics

de en fr

Switzerland’s ‘militia’ system

by René Roca

Even today, Switzerland’s ‘militia’ system of citizen legislature (Milizsystem) is central to the country’s system of government. But what does the term ‘militia’ actually mean? And how did this system come about?

continue reading

25. September 2019

Modern Age | Economy

de en

The transatlantic slave trade

by Noemi Crain Merz

Up until slavery was finally abolished in the 19th century, European traders carried off millions of people from Africa to the New World. Swiss families and companies also profited from the transatlantic slave trade.

continue reading

Next Page »