Happy Swiss National Day!

Do I sense a little disagreement about Swiss national day?

Does it date back to the independence of the country from the Austrian rulers, which started with the Grütli Pact of 1291? Or was it cobbled together as an official national holiday as recently as 1994?

It sounds plausible that it's celebrated by "paper lantern parades, bonfires, hanging strings of Swiss flags and fireworks". Or rather should we expect "thought-provoking words from an eminent cultural or political speaker, songs and music, gymnastic shows and group performances of the Swiss national anthem"?

At least we're clear it's called Swiss National Day. Unless of course you prefer Schweizer Bundesfeier. Or fête nationale Suisse. Or festa nazionale svizzera. Not forgetting fiasta naziunala svizra for the all-important Romansh.

Well at least we can agree it was today. And we happily celebrated it with some chocolate and cheese with our Swiss-resident nieces. Cuckoo clock anyone?