Marilyn Umurungi18.06.2026Bernese chemist Gertrud Woker was one of the first women in Europe to research the deadly effect of poison gases. She campaigned throughout her life to prevent the results of her research being used on the battlefield. An object of admiration and derision, Gertrud Woker was ahead of her time.
Adrian Baschung09.06.2026The arms factory Waffenfabrik Solothurn AG not only found itself on the Allies’ blacklist after the Second World War, it was also embroiled in a lengthy liquidation process. And what would happen to the arms stored there? A tempting offer came unexpectedly from Hollywood in 1951.
Kathrin Utz Tremp02.06.2026The diary kept by Fribourg state archivist Tobie de Raemy during the early years of the First World War provides a unique insight into the tensions that existed between German- and French-speaking Switzerland at that time. A prime example of this is the riots that took place at Fribourg station when trains travelled through carrying the injured from Germany and France.
François Wisard05.05.2026Harald Feller was kidnapped by the Soviets in Budapest in 1945. While he languished in Stalin's prisons for a year, Swiss authorities placed him under investigation. After his return, Feller was cleared of all charges. But nobody was interested anymore.
Felix Frey02.04.2026Between 1888 and 1952, the Federal Office of Topography produced secret, large-scale maps of Switzerland’s fortified areas. Based on work carried out under the most challenging conditions, these provide a fascinating insight into a hidden mountain world.
Andrej Abplanalp10.03.2026In March 1945, Karl Wolff negotiated with the Allies in Ascona over a German surrender in northern Italy. After the war, the SS General was shielded from prosecution for war crimes by Switzerland and the United States.
Lukas Vogel17.02.2026Heinrich Angst, the first director of the Swiss National Museum, and German socialist August Bebel worked together to prevent the outbreak of the First World War. They failed.
Carmen Bortolin12.02.2026During the Second World War, the Swiss Red Cross brought thousands of war-stricken children to Switzerland from France. Intended to provide humanitarian assistance, this initiative also served political purposes – and not all children were welcome.
