Juri Jaquemet09.12.2025In the early 19th century, Switzerland was traumatised by the French invasion of 1798 and there were fears that France would attack again. In Switzerland’s defence planning, Aarberg was a strategic military location as French armies could potentially cross the River Aare there. An obstacle was therefore needed.
Franziska Rogger02.12.2025She was one of the country’s first natural science professors and he shaped social policy in Switzerland: Irma and Hans Peter Tschudi-Steiner reached the top of their respective professions – all while staying humble.
Nadja Ackermann25.11.2025During times of political unrest – especially during the two world wars – state censors monitored private as well as military correspondence. They made no attempt to hide their actions.
Christophe Droesch18.11.2025After Alsace-Lorraine was annexed from the rest of France in 1942, the German Reich forcibly conscripted young men from these regions to fight for the Wehrmacht. This led many to try and flee to Switzerland, including René Grienenberger, the only survivor from a group of 18 young men who tried to escape.
Thomas Weibel11.11.2025Street signposting in Switzerland takes the form of white writing on a blue background. But not in Bern’s old town, where the street signs are red, green, yellow, black and white. The City of Bern inherited this bright design from the French military campaign in 1798.
Murielle Schlup06.11.2025The 1954 state visit to Switzerland of Haile Selassie (1892–1975), the last Ethiopian emperor, caused quite a stir. Some of his gifts and a belated thank-you letter sparked irritation and gave rise to speculation.
Flurina Felix28.10.2025In 1994 Federal Councillors and high-ranking officials visited Africa like never before. Their dealings in Côte d’Ivoire, South Africa and Rwanda shine a light on the continent’s varying ties to Switzerland.
Mégane Cavin09.10.2025The guest book of the Suchard chocolate factory in Neuchâtel bears witness to a rich local heritage. A throwback to a prosperous industrial past, it contains a reminder of an unforgettable royal visit: that of Grace Kelly and Prince Rainier III in 1960.
